Only 6%? That's terrifying!

The most important decision every person will make is, “Will I genuinely commit to following the true God?” How we answer this question determines the eternal destiny of our soul; and obviously nothing in this life compares to eternity. But how do we make an informed decision to that critical question? Unfortunately way, way too many people are getting their information from the wrong sources; and this leads to people following false ideas.

Most people who claim to believe a Christian worldview, don’t actually believe core Christian doctrine.

SURVEY

According to research conducted by George Barna (a notable Christian pollster), 51% of U.S. adults claim to have a biblical worldview, but ONLY 6% actually do.[1]

That sounds terrible, but what does it actually mean to have a biblical worldview?

To be clear, this question is not simply, “Do I identify as a Christian?” Many people claim to be a Christian, but frankly, not everyone is – more on that later.

Rather, this question attempts to understand whether people believe certain core beliefs that are fundamental to Christianity, which help us understand the world and live out God’s purpose for our life.

For purposes of the survey, Barna used the following beliefs as a definition for a biblical worldview:

1. “God is the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and He stills rules it today”[2]

2. “Jesus Christ lived a sinless life”[3]

3. “Satan is real”[4]

4. “Salvation is a gift from God and cannot be earned”[5]

5. “A Christian has a responsibility to share their faith in Christ with other people”[6]

6. “The Bible is accurate in all of its teachings”[7]

7. Absolute moral truths exist and are defined by the Bible[8]

These points are foundational, core truths of Christianity from the Bible. It is what Christians believe and it impacts how they view the world. In other words, they are so fundamental to Christianity that those that don’t believe or follow these points may not be adhering Christianity. Let’s just briefly discuss each point.

Number 1 speaks for itself. Christians believe God exists and interacts in the world. They do NOT believe in a divine being who simply created the universe and doesn’t care for His creation (which is deism).

Number 2, Jesus lived a sinless life, which is equivalent to believing Jesus is God. If Jesus were merely a man, only a religious teacher, he would not be capable of living a sinless life. Jesus’ identity as God is essential to core Christian doctrine – God, born a man, to die for the sins of humankind.

Number 3 is important because Satan tempted Adam and Eve, which led to original sin and the fall of humankind, which is fundamental to Christianity. It is why humans are corrupted with a sinful nature and God came to save us. This is essential to Christianity and understanding why people sin. Moreover, there are multiple other references of Satan in Scripture, including Jesus being tempted by Satan. To reject Satan as real is equivalent to questioning Biblical accounts. Finally, the Bible warns Christians that Satan is an enemy that seeks to do harm.

• Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

Number 4 counters a widespread falsehood that simply being a good person is the path to heaven; but this is NOT Christianity (Ephesians 2:8-9). Essential Christian doctrine is that every human being is a sinner and falls short of God’s standard (Romans 3:23). It is only by accepting Jesus as our Lord & Savior, that are our sins forgiven. (Romans 10:9-10)

Number 5 is the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His disciples, telling them to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). Similarly the Apostle Paul writes that Christians are ambassadors for Jesus, making an appeal for God through us (2 Corinthians 5:20). To dismiss this claim, is to dismiss God’s directive to His followers.

Number 6 is consistent with the Bible claiming to be inspired God – 2 Timothy 3:16. It is the source of truth that God has provided to humankind. If this were not the case, then there is no objective source to anchor Christian doctrine and people could be easily led astray by the opinions of culture.

Number 7 identifies God as the transcendent source for morality. If someone rejects God as the source of morality, how do they define sin? If people are the source of morality, then they determine right & wrong behavior and what is sin. That is clearly inconsistent with Scripture.

It is important to note that this is not the only survey with these results. In September 2020, the Cultural Research Center revealed survey results that only 2% of millennials maintain of Bible Worldview, even though 61% claim to be a Christian.[9]

According to a 2017 survey from the American Culture and Faith Institute, 46% of Americans identify as Christians, but only 10% adhere to a Biblical Worldview.[10]

What should we conclude from these surveys?

Essentially there are millions of people in the U.S. who claim to be Christians, but do not know Biblical doctrine or they don’t adhere to it.Are some of them Christians? Only God knows. But consider the following words from Jesus:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.' (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV bold added)

So, according to this quote from Jesus, who is going to heaven? The person who claimsto be a Christian or the one who believes in (trusts in) the Lord and follows His commands?

Let’s not gloss over these survey results. Many, many people are either unaware of a Biblical worldview or don’t believe it is true. This can and should change.

According to Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, “Every Christian can and should obtain a biblical worldview — which is only achieved when a person believes that the Bible is true, authoritative, and then taught how it is applicable to every area of life, which enables them to live out those beliefs."[11]

There really is only one way to do this. Everyone who is a Christian, a follower of Jesus, needs to devote time and energy to reading the Bible (on a recurring basis, preferably daily). There are other good sources that compliment the Bible and help us understand God’s Word, but there is NO replacement to reading Scripture. There are good reasons to believe that the Bible is divinely inspired - in other words, special revelation God has given to humankind.

Based on the verse below, we are to make every effort to obey the Lord, and the way to do that is reading God’s Word, which shares spiritual truth and speaks to our heart.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:11-12 NIV)

Summary Point:

• Far too many people are ignorant of Biblical truth – this needs to change! (by reading Scipture daily and encouraging others to do likewise)

[1]https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html [2]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [3]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [4]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [5]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [6]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [7]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [8]https://www.christianpost.com/news/just-2-of-millennials-hold-a-biblical-worldview-lowest-among-all-adults-study.html [9]https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html [10]https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html [11]https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html