By Aaron Earls
Millions of Americans looked in the sky for a glimpse of the solar eclipse last Monday, but many were also looking in the pages of Scripture.
Searches for “eclipse” at BibleGateway.com jumped 4,000 percent leading up to the August 21 event. “Moon” saw a 3,500 percent spike. “Sun” also had a significant increase.
Words like “love,” “faith,” and “peace” were the top searched for terms at Bible Gateway in 2016.
But on August 21, those terms were eclipsed by words with more celestial flair:
- Sun
- Eclipse
- Love
- Moon
The eclipse dominated Google searches in the U.S., especially along the path of totality.
But users of the online search engine were also interested in how the eclipse connected to the Bible.
Searches for “eclipse Bible” also spiked leading up the event, especially in Southern states where the total eclipse was visible like Tennessee and South Carolina.
Church leaders should take comfort in knowing that many Americans are curious about what the Bible says about significant events.
When something happens that captivates the attention of culture, be prepared to answer questions from church members and possibly even those in the community.
AARON EARLS (@WardrobeDoor) is online editor of Facts & Trends.
For what Scripture actually says about miraculous events in space, read “Is the Eclipse a Miracle?”
