How do you persuade Czechs-most of whom claim to be atheists-to read the Bible?

Alexander Flek, a recent graduate of the International Baptist Theological Seminary and chief translator of a new contemporary version of the Bible in Czech, thinks public reading will work.

When the translation was recently published, he and several colleagues decided to read the New Testament through-aloud-on the street near a busy Metro station.

During the 17 hours of reading, Czech radio personnel broadcast portions and interviewed passersby.

Some onlookers ridiculed the readers, behind whom was a sign that said, “The Bible for All People. But Alexander invited others, including atheists, to read a paragraph or two aloud as part of the marathon reading. One actress, passing by after her nightly theater performance, was invited to read a paragraph and ended up reading six chapters from Hebrews.

Many passersby had never read or heard a paragraph of the Bible before. The readings prompted conversations and questions, and copies of the New Testament distributed.

Polls indicate more than 70 percent of Czech adults are atheists.

Baptist World Alliance

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