Bible sales surge during pandemic

More Americans appear to be turning to God’s word for comfort and direction during the coronavirus pandemic. Bible publishing companies report increased bible sales.

Tyndale House Publishers reported increased sales during the past year, executive Jim Jewell said. He believes concerns over COVID-19 “has upended almost everyone’s lives in some way. It’s not surprising that people turn to the comfort and clarity of the Bible in times of trouble and uncertainty.”

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Tyndale also reported that engagement on its New Living Translations Facebook page, home to Bible verse memes, has tripled since last March and is up 72 percent from just last month.

Alabaster Co., a Bible publisher known for its visually artistic individual books of the Bibles, also has seen an increase in sales. In an interview with Fox News, Alabaster co-founder Brian Chung said sales have risen by 143 percent from last year. Chung believes that the sales jump occurred because people are looking for hope and restoration amid a time of crisis.

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“Even amidst suffering and financial hardship, we’ve continued to see people engage with Alabaster by utilizing our free resources and purchasing Bibles as encouraging gifts for loved ones,” he said. “We believe people are buying Bibles because there’s a longing to connect with God, find meaning, and experience peace.”

LifeWay Christian Resources also saw an increase in sales of 62 percent last week compared to the previous year.

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“We believe this is no accident, as people often go to the Bible as a source of hope in times of crisis and uncertainty,” CEO Ben Mandrell said. “People draw hope from scripture, because in it they see a God who is with us during our suffering. The Bible, as God’s words to us, is a reminder that he doesn’t leave us to walk through difficult times alone.”

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice