Scripture, Literacy, and Growth
Church history from Apostolic times to the present reveals that in virtually every country around the world, A Bible-reading laity was an important factor in the growth of the church, both numerically and spiritually.
The importance of this study is found in the challenge to the church today. There are still some 800,000,000 adults and teenagers who are illiterate, unable to read God's word or other Christian literature. In many areas of rapid church growth it is impossible, for lack of literacy, to train enough leaders to keep up with the vast people movements. In Asian countries, which comprise 57% of the world's population, the demand is for Christian literature that truly speaks to the needs of the people. The Chinese revere teachers and literature. In Japan, the Bible is the best seller. In India, in 1967, the Light and Life Bible Correspondence School reported more than one and a half million people enrolled, 85% of whom were non-Christians.
Further research may reveal new approaches to the Chinese, Hindus, and Muslims, but Christian literature will assume a major rule in the winning of these people for Jesus Christ.