More than half of Americans believe the Bible is inaccurate

[th1b.taylor]

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/news/article/more-half-americans-believe-bible-inaccurate
When Christians see alarming numbers of Americans openly—even enthusiastically—embracing completely anti-biblical teachings such as abortion, homosexual behavior, and evolution, they wonder how our culture (and the church) has gotten so far from its biblical foundation. Well, the results of a recent survey from Ligonier Ministries suggest that current trends in thinking shouldn’t really surprise us based on popular American theology.

This survey sampled 3,000 Americans from across the country, from many different backgrounds, in an attempt “to take the temperature of America’s theological health, compare it to that of self-identified Christians, and index it over time in order to better equip the church to faithfully preach and teach the whole counsel of God.”

According to the survey, the majority of Americans (53%) don’t believe that heaven and hell are real places and almost half think that there are many different ways to heaven. Also, less than half of the participants believe that God authored the Bible and over half (57%) don’t think the Bible is always accurate. Consequently, only half of Americans (49%) think the Bible has authority in our lives. Sadly, while half of the population (51%) may think that the Bible is authoritative, many of these people don’t base their thinking in all areas on God’s Word as nearly half (45%) are said to believe that the Bible was written for each person to interpret as they chose.

Already Gone

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/news/article/more-half-americans-believe-bible-inaccurate
When Christians see alarming numbers of Americans openly—even enthusiastically—embracing completely anti-biblical teachings such as abortion, homosexual behavior, and evolution, they wonder how our culture (and the church) has gotten so far from its biblical foundation. Well, the results of a recent survey from Ligonier Ministries suggest that current trends in thinking shouldn’t really surprise us based on popular American theology.

This survey sampled 3,000 Americans from across the country, from many different backgrounds, in an attempt “to take the temperature of America’s theological health, compare it to that of self-identified Christians, and index it over time in order to better equip the church to faithfully preach and teach the whole counsel of God.”

According to the survey, the majority of Americans (53%) don’t believe that heaven and hell are real places and almost half think that there are many different ways to heaven. Also, less than half of the participants believe that God authored the Bible and over half (57%) don’t think the Bible is always accurate. Consequently, only half of Americans (49%) think the Bible has authority in our lives. Sadly, while half of the population (51%) may think that the Bible is authoritative, many of these people don’t base their thinking in all areas on God’s Word as nearly half (45%) are said to believe that the Bible was written for each person to interpret as they chose.

Already Gone

Interesting but that Barna Group Survey I, so, often mention was done double blind to get as accurate as possible results. By doing the double blind survey most, an unknown percentage, will mark the paper truthfully but when folks are held accountable, one on one, they are much more prone to lie and to give the desirable answer. i.e. 83% of all Americans state that they are a Christian, though their shadow may have never darkened the threshold of a Church.

I must believe the result is much to forgiving for truth.

 

[Malachi]

When Christians see alarming numbers of Americans openly—even enthusiastically—embracing completely anti-biblical teachings such as abortion, homosexual behavior, and evolution, they wonder how our culture (and the church) has gotten so far from its biblical foundation

Christians in America should wake up and understand that the USA is for all practical purposes a godless society, and to some degree a pagan society. Furthermore, Barna's so-called "evangelicals" may be nominal Christians only -- not truly regenerated.

Everyone should have seen this coming from the 19th century onwards. Theological liberalism in the seminaries became widespread unbelief in the churches, while secularism and political and social liberalism (if not outright socialism and communism) took hold of the universities and the workplace.

One could say that America is as good a pagan mission field as India. The only problem is that when a nation deliberately turns away from the Light of Christ and the Gospel, there is little hope for genuine repentance. Christians should accept the fact that America is now preparing (and may be ripe) for God's judgment.

 

[turnorburn]

Some Christians posting here do not believe the Bible as it is written...

Exactly* Some Christians round the world as well..

tob

*edit: when Christians say that the bible has contradictions who can blame them

 

[Willie T]

Actually, most Christians posting here have never seen, much less read, the Bible as it was written.

And, that is not just being cute. It staggers my mind how often I read of someone getting all hung-up on a particular English word of phrase as they found it in the copy of the Bible on their shelf.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/news/article/more-half-americans-believe-bible-inaccurate
When Christians see alarming numbers of Americans openly—even enthusiastically—embracing completely anti-biblical teachings such as abortion, homosexual behavior, and evolution, they wonder how our culture (and the church) has gotten so far from its biblical foundation. Well, the results of a recent survey from Ligonier Ministries suggest that current trends in thinking shouldn’t really surprise us based on popular American theology.

This survey sampled 3,000 Americans from across the country, from many different backgrounds, in an attempt “to take the temperature of America’s theological health, compare it to that of self-identified Christians, and index it over time in order to better equip the church to faithfully preach and teach the whole counsel of God.”

According to the survey, the majority of Americans (53%) don’t believe that heaven and hell are real places and almost half think that there are many different ways to heaven. Also, less than half of the participants believe that God authored the Bible and over half (57%) don’t think the Bible is always accurate. Consequently, only half of Americans (49%) think the Bible has authority in our lives. Sadly, while half of the population (51%) may think that the Bible is authoritative, many of these people don’t base their thinking in all areas on God’s Word as nearly half (45%) are said to believe that the Bible was written for each person to interpret as they chose.

Already Gone

It is just one tiny survey which means nothing, one way or the other.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Christians in America should wake up and understand that the USA is for all practical purposes a godless society, and to some degree a pagan society. Furthermore, Barna's so-called "evangelicals" may be nominal Christians only -- not truly regenerated.

I, usually, get screamed at over the mid-eighties Barna survey and the logic that there is, somewhere, less than two percent of the Church rolls that are saved but what you mention here is what scares me to death, so many of them seem to work to be seen working.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I think it may be a cultural issue. I was reading about how we now have an experience-seeking culture+ all the post-modern relativism going on. Anyway, being Christian--Born Again, in particular--is seen as an experience, not so much a lifestyle. I'm 30. I've seen this a lot in people my age and younger. Like, "yeah, I'm Born Again..and I play with tarot cards. What?" See what I'm saying?

 

[th1b.taylor]

I think it may be a cultural issue. I was reading about how we now have an experience-seeking culture+ all the post-modern relativism going on. Anyway, being Christian--Born Again, in particular--is seen as an experience, not so much a lifestyle. I'm 30. I've seen this a lot in people my age and younger. Like, "yeah, I'm Born Again..and I play with tarot cards. What?" See what I'm saying?

Yes, I do. People seem struck when I explain the principals I live by are the principals taught in the scriptures, they seem to believe the Christian life cannot be enjoyed.

 

[Malachi]

Actually, most Christians posting here have never seen, much less read, the Bible as it was written.

Not sure what this means. Certainly the autographs (originals) are long gone. That does not mean that we have not seen or read the Bible "as it was written". It was faithfully translated from the true Hebrew and Greek texts obtained by comparing and collating the copies of copies.

We can say with absolute assurance that we have the written Word of God. Inspiration without Divine preservation means absolutely nothing.

However for those who choose not to believe, it would make no difference.

 

[Kathi]

It is just one tiny survey which means nothing, one way or the other.

Yes,the numbers are probably higher.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

Yes,the numbers are probably higher.

It's like taking a survey of the people on this forum and saying it speaks for Christianity and what they believe.
And yes, some of you will believe it.

 

[Butch5]

http://www.worldviewweekend.com/news/article/more-half-americans-believe-bible-inaccurate
When Christians see alarming numbers of Americans openly—even enthusiastically—embracing completely anti-biblical teachings such as abortion, homosexual behavior, and evolution, they wonder how our culture (and the church) has gotten so far from its biblical foundation. Well, the results of a recent survey from Ligonier Ministries suggest that current trends in thinking shouldn’t really surprise us based on popular American theology.

This survey sampled 3,000 Americans from across the country, from many different backgrounds, in an attempt “to take the temperature of America’s theological health, compare it to that of self-identified Christians, and index it over time in order to better equip the church to faithfully preach and teach the whole counsel of God.”

According to the survey, the majority of Americans (53%) don’t believe that heaven and hell are real places and almost half think that there are many different ways to heaven. Also, less than half of the participants believe that God authored the Bible and over half (57%) don’t think the Bible is always accurate. Consequently, only half of Americans (49%) think the Bible has authority in our lives. Sadly, while half of the population (51%) may think that the Bible is authoritative, many of these people don’t base their thinking in all areas on God’s Word as nearly half (45%) are said to believe that the Bible was written for each person to interpret as they chose.

Already Gone

Are you surprised? Just look at the Bible forums and see how people just believe whatever they want to. In America Biblical Illiteracy reigns, even many churches are Biblically Illiterate. Many Christians are more concerned with what they've been taught than with getting to the truth. There is also a devastating lack of critical thinking among Christians. A good bit of Christian doctrine is based on flawed logic and logical fallacies. I also believe a driving force in the Biblical Illiteracy is Arrogance. Americans for the most part won't even entertain the concept that they could possibly be wrong. I've seen Christians refuse to admit being wrong in the face of irrefutable evidence. I think for way too many it's more important to win an argument than to get at the truth. So, the statistics don't surprise me in the least. I've said for some time now that when the kingdom is established I don't think that the Americans will number very many.

I've read "Already Gone" and the statistics are scary.