Recent studies indicate less Doctrinal certainty than ever
C. Lacy Thompson
LBM Associate Editor
Here is the irony – in the so-called “information age,”
at a time when peoples hunger for spirituality is at its highest ever,
theological confusion reigns.
Recent studies indicate less Doctrinal certainty than ever
Here is the irony – in the so-called “information age,”
at a time when peoples hunger for spirituality is at its highest ever,
theological confusion reigns.
Yes – theological confusion.
How else can it be described?
“Doctrine” is almost a taboo word. “Buffet religion” is in
– just come in, get in line and pick and choose whatever one wants to create
a personal religion.
It is becoming harder and harder to determine who believes
what and what this group or that group really stands for when it comes to faith.
Individualism has created a free-for-all in the theological marketplace.
Need proof? Consider the following.
A recent issue of Emerging Trends” newsletter reports that
traditional beliefs about the Bible are losing ground.
“The belief that the Bible represents the actual Word of God
in all instances has declined over the last few decades and is now at the lowest
point ever recorded – 27 percent,” the lead article in the June newsletter
notes. “In 1963, the comparable figure was 65 percent.”
Indeed, more and more people are viewing the Bible as “simply
an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man,”
the article continues. “The current figure of 20 percent is the highest yet
recorded.”
But here comes the confusing part.
At the same time, the Gallup poll shows that the percentage
of people who believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God has held firm at
about 49 percent of Americans. Also, 93 percent of homes own a Bible –
and the number of people who read the Bible weekly remains steady at 26 percent.
In addition, two-thirds of Americans still say they believe
the bible answers all or most of the basic questions of life.
Confusing enough? Continue reading.
A recent Barna Research Group study also reflects the problem
facing modern denominations intent on maintaining a committed, theologically-aligned
membership.
In that study, only 41 percent of American adults
said they strongly agree that the Bible is totally accurate in all that it teaches.
Breakdowns show that number includes 22 percent of Episcopalians and 25 percent
of Catholics at the low end – and 81 percent of Pentecostal church members
and 77 percent of Assembly of God members at the high end.
Where do Baptists fall? At 66
percent for all types.
The Barna study reports findings for seven other core beliefs
as well, including:
The responsibility to tell others about personal
religious beliefs. Just 32 percent of Americans strongly agree they have such
a responsibility. Only six denominations scored higher than 50 percent, with
Pentecostals ranking highest at 73 percent. Baptists of all types came in at
51 percent.
The belief that religious faith is very important.
Overall, 68 percent of American adults strongly agree with this belief. Indeed,
all 12 denominations identified in the study scored high in this category –
from a high of 94 percent for Pentescostals to a low of 60 percent for Episcopalians.
The belief that satan is just a symbol of evil.
Barely one-fourth of Americans (27 percent) strongly disagree with this idea
– and the numbers are not much better for denominations. Only two –
Assembly of God and Mormons – score higher than 50 percent. Only about
one-third of Baptists (34 percent) strongly disagree with the view of a fictional
satan.
The belief that if a person is generally good
or does enough good things for others, they will earn a place in heaven. Overall,
less than one-third of Americans strongly disagree with the idea of persons
earning their way to heaven. The breakdowns range from a low of 9 percent for
Catholics and 15 percent for Mormons to a high of 64 percent for Assembly of
God members and 62 percent for Pentecostals. About 43 percent of Baptists strongly
disagree with the idea.
The idea that Jesus committed sins while on earth.
Less than half of Americans (40 percent) strongly disagree with the idea that
Jesus committed sins on earth. Again, Assembly of God members and Pentecostals
rate highest – at 70 percent or higher. Just one-third of Methodists, Lutherans
and Catholics strongly disagree with the idea. A little more than half of Baptists
(55 percent) strongly disagree.
The belief that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing,
perfect creator of the universe who rules the world today. More than two-thirds
of Americans (69 percent) hold to this view. All 12 denominations score above
50 percent, from a high of 96 percent for Assembly of God members to a low of
59 percent for Episcopalians. Baptists scored at 70 percent.
Absolute commitment to Chris-tianity. Less than
half of Americans (41 percent) report they are absolutely committed to Christianity.
Assembly of God members, Pentecostals and non-denominational Christians all
score at about two-thirds. Methodists, Episcopalians and Catholics all score
less than 50 percent (in the 40s). Baptists come in at 58 percent.
Those findings – along with other information – leads
Barna to rank the denominations in terms of theological purity.
Pentecostals and Assembly of God members rate first with 72
percent purity. They are followed by non-denominational Christians (65 percent),
Baptists (57 percent), Church of Christ members (54 percent), Mormons (49 percent),
Adventists (48 percent), Presbyterians (43 percent), Methodists (38 percent),
Lutherans (37 percent), Catholics (28 percent) and Episcopalians (28 percent).
In his Web site report, Barna Research Group President George
Barna noted the results were not intended to reflect official beliefs of particular
denominations.
“The data reflect what the people within those churches believe,”
Barna said. “If nothing else, this outcome highlights the substantial theological
shift that has been altering the nature of … Christian churches in recent
years.”
Southern Baptists agree with the assessment – and the
challenge facing churches that wish to correct it.
“The Barna study is a credible perspective on the state of
Christian conviction in America today,” Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
President Al Mohler emphasized in a Baptist Press release. “The report is a
striking indictment of the loss of doctrinal confidence and the erosion of biblical
beliefs that marks American Christianity.”
It is hard to imagine persons calling themselves Christians
when they do not believe Christ was sinless, added Phil Roberts, president of
Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Roberts stressed a solution to the
problem lies in the diligence of pastors in preaching truth and in their willingness
to inquire about a persons spiritual condition. “The church needs to take
seriously its shepherding role,” he said.
Barnas assessment matched those. “The Christian body
in America is immersed in a crisis of biblical illiteracy,” He noted. “How else
can you describe matters when most churchgoing adults reject the accuracy of
the Bible, reject the existence of Satan, claim that Jesus sinned, see no need
to evangelize, believe that good works are one of the keys to persuading God
to forgive their sins and describe their commitment to Christianity as moderate
or even less firm?”
How else?
Theological confusion. Pure and simple.