{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Hillsong Australia Podcast","title":"S2E16: 'Have We Lost Our Reverence for the Bible'?: A Conversation with Ben Windle","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2620,"description":"The average Bible-engaged Christian spends 3.5 minutes a day in scripture and six hours a day on social media and YouTube. In this episode, Pastor Ben Windle joins the Hillsong Australia podcast to unpack why the modern church has become \"biblically illiterate,\" how we got here, and what it practically looks like to rebuild a real, personal engagement with the Bible whether you're brand new to faith, a long-time church attender, a parent raising kids in 2026, or someone wrestling with doubt. It's a conversation about reverence, honesty, and rediscovering scripture as more than a \"supplement\" to church life.\n✨ Key Themes\nA biblical literacy crisis. Bible-engaged Christians average 3.5 minutes a day in scripture vs. six hours a day on social media and YouTube. A gap Benjamin says has real spiritual consequences.\nSupplements vs. substitutes. Sermons, podcasts, and Bible studies are valuable supplements, but they were never meant to replace direct, personal engagement with scripture itself.\nFrom decision to discipleship. The church has overestimated the moment of decision (an altar call) and underestimated the ongoing process, formation, and journey that follows it.\nSkepticism isn't the enemy of faith. Doubt and unanswered questions are part of being human. The goal isn't to eliminate every question before trusting God, but to hold logic and faith together, knowing faith ultimately has the final word.\nAcademic and meditative study can coexist. Historical, contextual study of scripture and devotional, meditative reading aren't in competition as both are needed for real formation.\nFamiliar vs. personal. It's possible for scripture to feel familiar (because it's accessible) without ever becoming personal. The more consistently you actually read it, the more it moves from familiar to formative.\nUltimate hope vs. human hope. Christian hope isn't just \"things will get better\", it's an eternal hope anchored in Jesus that holds steady even in a dark season.\nParenting with...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/eykYjGcTPC5Wa8qzCs8D1GWDCHTB_bfYIcjRFd9McpE/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80Njli/MDk1MTYwMGYxMGM3/MzRmMTc4ODE0Yjc0/Y2Q5MC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}