Taking Back the Good Book: How America Forgot the Bible and Why It Matters to You

by Woodrow Kroll

America faces a great crisis: the Book that has played an integral role in developing and forming our great nation is now the same Book that few read and even fewer understand.

Taking Back the Good Book explores how America has developed an apathetic—sometimes hostile—attitude toward biblical principles. To counter this troubling attitude, Kroll offers practical suggestions to help Christians develop a personal strategy to fuel their passion for and understanding of God’s Word. This, in turn, will energize America’s Christians to impact their nation—and the world—for Christ.

“It is an incredible fact that the Bible is the most sold but least read book! Dr. Kroll aims to reverse this sad statistic.”
Norman L. Geisler, Dean, Southern Evangelical Seminary

“Woodrow Kroll calls us back to our roots and challenges us to read the only book God ever wrote.”
Kerby Anderson, National Director, Probe Ministries

“Woodrow Kroll is dead-on in his assessment of the church’s lack of engagement with the Word.”
Howard G. Hendricks, Center for Christian Leadership

“My prayer is that God will use this book to stir you to action in overcoming biblical illiteracy in the United States.”
Bob Creson, President, Wycliffe Bible Translators USA

“Woodrow Kroll has been a frontline leader in the effort to bring back the Bible as the foundation of faith. His new book should be read by everyone who sees biblical illiteracy as a truly serious threat to the health of both religion and American society.”
George Gallup Jr., Founder, The George H. Gallup International Institute

“Biblical illiteracy is a scandal in the church. It is high time we remedy this embarrassment and teach the Bible. I commend Dr. Kroll for raising the alarm about the lack of biblical literacy in our homes and churches.”
R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

“There surely is, as Amos said, a famine in our land for hearing the words of the Lord. This book is a clarion and much-needed call to combat the Bible illiteracy of our day. Dr. Kroll issues a challenge that hopefully will result in a movement to turn that famine back into a feast.”
Charles Caldwell Ryrie, editor, The Ryrie Study Bible

“Thank God for this book that not only pinpoints a basic problem in our churches but also prescribes a cure! God has chosen Woodrow Kroll to be the man to sound the alarm of Bible illiteracy and awaken us to a vision of better days ahead!”
Erwin W. Lutzer, Senior Pastor, The Moody Church, Chicago, Illinois

“More than a declaration of war, this book is a battle plan for all who want to make the Bible central in their lives, their churches, and our great nation.”
Warren W. Wiersbe, author, the Be series

“Taking Back the Good Book offers an alarming analysis that will alert every Bible-believing Christian as to how we can get well. The recovery may be long, but the rehab will be worth it.”
Mark Bailey, President and Professor of Bible Exposition, Dallas Theological Seminary

224 pages, Hardcover

First published March 16, 2007

About the author

Woodrow Michael Kroll

Reviews

[Brandon Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most eye opening books I've read this year. I think as Christian Americans the details in this book are important for us to know and understand. Teaches the true value of not just reading the bible but also understanding the bible.

[Anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover image - the HOLY Bible affixed to someone's posterior - is exceedingly disrespectful, and repudiates the title. If the authors hold the Bible in high regard, how could they ever depict it thus?

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, Woodrow Kroll, is the president of Back to the Bible, and its subsidiary The Bible Literacy Center (BLC). The BLC is a research and development organization that does polling and other research into the the habits of secular and Christian readers to determine the status of Biblical Literacy in the country. I say all that to preface the idea that I had no clue!

I was amazed at the statistics of the reading habits, the knowledge of individual Christians, and the fact that most churches have themselves moved away from teaching from the Bible itself. I had no clue just how badly I had fallen in my reading and how scary the results were in some of the polls. This is a book that (in my opinion) all pastors, lay ministers, and active Christians should read (and have nightmares over).

It is an easy to read, plain speaking book that I enjoyed very much

[Tyrell Mentzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book nailed it and provided toss of factual data about where we were as a nation, the current state we're in, how we got there and what to do to fix it.

The statistics bog down the flow of reading at times, however, they all point to the dire need American Christians have to pick up God's living Word one again and adhere to its teachings.

Personally, it helped me change my approach on the Bible. I used to read the Bible soley to learn, like a text book. Now, my Bible reading is much more fruitful and fulfilling as well as more engaging with The Almighty.

Thanks Mr. Kroll! I can now say "I read your book." ;)

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information -- perhaps too many survey details that, for some, can take away from the pressing issues of Bible illiteracy. If you dig through all those numbers you'll see Woodrow Kroll's heart for God's word and its restoration in society. Heed his warnings. After all, if we keep going as we are, then any threat of having the Bible taken from us will mean little since the Bible itself will mean little to us.

[Jimmy Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about us a Godly nation

[Teun de Ridder · Rating 1 out of 5]

Het thema "Bible Illiteracy" is pakkend, maar wordt warrig, superamerikaans en met onvoldoende diepgang gebracht.

[Matt Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired me to read the Bible in 1 year. Thank you Mr. Kroll!