Actor and comedian Tim Allen said this week that he has completed a full, cover-to-cover reading of the Bible, describing the 13-month process as humbling and transformative.
Allen shared the update in a post on the social media platform X on Feb. 4, writing that he had finished “the entire Bible” after a “13 month word by word page by page no skimming journey.”
“Humbled, enlightened and amazed at what I read and what I learned,” Allen wrote. “I will rest and meditate on so much. I will begin it again.”
The post is the latest public reflection in what Allen has described as a multi-year spiritual journey that has included sustained engagement with Scripture and renewed interest in early Christianity.
Allen, 72, is best known for his role as Tim “The Toolman” Taylor on the long-running sitcom Home Improvement, as well as for starring in Last Man Standing, voicing Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise and leading The Santa Clause film series.
Last month, Allen discussed his evolving views on faith and theology during a wide-ranging conversation with comedian and political commentator Bill Maher on Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, according to reporting by Beliefnet.com. In that exchange, Allen said his recent studies had drawn him deeply into the writings of the Apostle Paul, particularly Paul’s teachings on law, sin and human nature.
“Paul said something very intuitive that I’m still studying,” Allen said, according to the Beliefnet report. He explained that Paul’s view of law as a means of revealing sin — rather than eliminating it — challenged assumptions he had long held after studying philosophy in college.
Allen contrasted his engagement with Scripture with his earlier immersion in philosophy, which he said ultimately left him dissatisfied. “Philosophy gets run in these circles,” he said. “It can’t explain anything, really.”
During the podcast, Allen also recalled visiting Jerusalem and encountering biblical sites associated with Jesus, an experience he said made the Gospel narratives feel historically tangible rather than abstract. While sparring with Maher over theological questions, Allen repeatedly returned to Paul’s dramatic conversion — from persecutor of Christians to missionary — as a compelling example of personal transformation.
Allen’s openness about faith marks a shift from earlier decades. Raised Episcopalian, he has said that the death of his father when he was 11 and a subsequent prison sentence in his mid-20s following a drug conviction contributed to a prolonged period of cynicism toward religion and the idea of God.
In recent years, however, Allen has spoken more openly about prayer, Scripture and a growing sense of purpose, sometimes referring to God as “The Builder.” He has previously said he was “amazed” by Paul’s letter to the Romans and described re-reading the Old Testament as a humbling experience.
Allen’s latest post suggests that, after completing his first full reading of the Bible, he intends to begin the process again — signaling that his exploration of faith will continue.
