Does the Bible need trigger warnings?

This article first appeared on Evangelicals Now on 13 November 2025.

The University of Sheffield recently issued trigger warnings for English Literature students studying Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. It advised that these texts contained graphic bodily injury and sexual violence. A similar warning was placed on the story of Cain and Abel. At the University of Nottingham, the warnings went even further: they were concerned that students could be distressed by medieval literature’s references to aspects of the Christian faith. These warnings are part of a recent trend. It’s increasingly common to provide warnings for other literature (such as The Merchant of Venice and To Kill a Mockingbird), certain films (such as Gone With the Wind and Lady and the Tramp) and TV shows (such as Only Fools and Horses and Dad’s Army). In some cases, these warnings might even be merited – but should this really be applied to the Bible?

Unfair and Inconsistent

Applying trigger warnings to the Bible is a sad reflection of our culture’s low view of the Christian faith. It’s also incredibly unfair in its profound inconsistency. Most of our children and young people are subject to extreme secular content which is racist, violent and sexually explicit. As well as the things they watch on screen, there are many things that our children are being asked to study at school which need (but rarely have) any kind of warning. This would also be true of the texts of other religious faiths. These tend to be treated with greater respect.

As Bible readers, we know that there are some stories which include violent acts. But they are hardly gratuitous or lurid descriptions. This would especially be true of the way the crucifixion is portrayed – there is very little detail of the Lord Jesus’ physical suffering.

Trigger warnings about the Bible appear to be sensitive and caring. They seem to give people the information so they are suitably prepared and can self censor if necessary. And yet, at best, they are just a token way of ticking a box to show some due care. More likely, they imply that the Bible is just another regressive text – or, still worse, that it is a generally sinister and primitive book that should be treated with suspicion.

In favour of trigger warnings

Having said all that, I want to suggest that we can redeem and speak up in favour of trigger warnings. For one thing, we don’t want to be on the defensive all the time. We don’t want to be perpetually complaining about our rights being infringed or grumbling that the world is going woke. But I also think there are some positive things we can say about trigger warnings.

We want to warn our children and young people about the content they are watching or reading at school and at home. We want to encourage them to wake up to the reality that they are being subjected to genuinely damaging material. At times, we want to keep them away from it, and at other times give them the tools to rightly critique it and develop good habits.

We also need to be honest that there are some parts of the Bible that do need sensitive handling. There have been a few times – not very often – when I have thought it right to give a warning to our local church that the text for an upcoming sermon contained some challenging elements of a violent or sexual nature. My intention in those instances wasn’t to encourage parents to stay away, but instead to encourage them to talk to their children about what was coming and to be ready to answer any questions.

So in that sense, we do need trigger warnings. Because yes, at times the Bible is offensive and upsetting – especially on first reading. Those reading it will encounter the very worst of human evil. They will also have to grapple with the presence of evil in their own hearts. Those two things shouldn’t be anything other than shocking and distressing.

But if we are going to issue trigger warnings for that, then we should also use them to inform people that the Bible will challenge their fundamental assumptions about who they are and how they should live. We should warn them that this book will call them to choose between recognising its central character, Jesus Christ, and the prospect of facing the wrath of God and an eternity apart from every divine blessing. 

Readers need to know that this book is far more than an entertaining piece of literature or philosophical treatise. The Bible is a window into reality and it will both frighten and delight. So yes, we should be warning people that they may be so disturbed by reading this book that it could cause them to weep. Their self-esteem will be deflated. Their hope of saving themselves will be dashed. And so we should also be warning them that, if they truly listen, the Bible will transform their lives for good.