Post by Watchman on Jun 5, 2007 10:44:55 GMT -5
By Ray Perdue
Last month the Barna Group, the Christian research organization of Ventura, California, released their annual study of America’s spiritual activity. This year’s study showed some very interesting information regarding the perspectives and beliefs of those who call themselves Christians here in the United States.
The Barna Group stated in their report that typically minor shifts in what people believe do appear, but this year’s study found that "five out of six theological perspectives have shifted in recent years away from traditional biblical views." This seems to confirm what many pastors and ministers have warned against for years. While Americans seem to be as interested in "spiritual things" as ever—if not more so—their basis for beliefs regarding those spiritual things has significantly altered.
The study shows that Americans still have a traditional view of God, but they are less likely to hold that traditional view. Roughly two-thirds of Americans believe that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the universe. Last year 71% believed that, the new figures only show 66% do, and these numbers are the lowest in over 20 years.
The shift is not just limited to Americans’ view of God the Father, but also of Christ and Satan. Only 37% believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, and only 24% believe that Satan is a real being. Those numbers are the lowest points for those beliefs as well.
The study also shows that most Americans are more reluctant than ever to explain their faith to others. Americans are also more likely to believe that good works can earn salvation more than ever before.
One interesting thing the Barna Group’s study did reveal was that despite the major shift in Americans spiritual beliefs, the only thing that remained unchanged was that 45% of Americans still believe that the Bible is accurate.
The director of the study, David Kinnaman, said, "most Americans do not have strong and clear beliefs, largely because they do not posses a coherent biblical worldview."
Kinnaman also went on to state that the beliefs of Americans fluctuate because most have very few convictions about what they believe. Most cannot tell why they believe what they do, and are willing to accept any other belief.
Many see studies like this as evidence of the fulfillment of prophecy of the last days as mentioned in the Bible.
Source:
The Barna Group, Ltd.
"Barna’s Annual Tracking Study Shows Americans Stay Spiritually Active, But Biblical Views Wane", May 21, 2007, The Barna Group.
Last month the Barna Group, the Christian research organization of Ventura, California, released their annual study of America’s spiritual activity. This year’s study showed some very interesting information regarding the perspectives and beliefs of those who call themselves Christians here in the United States.
The Barna Group stated in their report that typically minor shifts in what people believe do appear, but this year’s study found that "five out of six theological perspectives have shifted in recent years away from traditional biblical views." This seems to confirm what many pastors and ministers have warned against for years. While Americans seem to be as interested in "spiritual things" as ever—if not more so—their basis for beliefs regarding those spiritual things has significantly altered.
The study shows that Americans still have a traditional view of God, but they are less likely to hold that traditional view. Roughly two-thirds of Americans believe that God is the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the universe. Last year 71% believed that, the new figures only show 66% do, and these numbers are the lowest in over 20 years.
The shift is not just limited to Americans’ view of God the Father, but also of Christ and Satan. Only 37% believe that Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, and only 24% believe that Satan is a real being. Those numbers are the lowest points for those beliefs as well.
The study also shows that most Americans are more reluctant than ever to explain their faith to others. Americans are also more likely to believe that good works can earn salvation more than ever before.
One interesting thing the Barna Group’s study did reveal was that despite the major shift in Americans spiritual beliefs, the only thing that remained unchanged was that 45% of Americans still believe that the Bible is accurate.
The director of the study, David Kinnaman, said, "most Americans do not have strong and clear beliefs, largely because they do not posses a coherent biblical worldview."
Kinnaman also went on to state that the beliefs of Americans fluctuate because most have very few convictions about what they believe. Most cannot tell why they believe what they do, and are willing to accept any other belief.
Many see studies like this as evidence of the fulfillment of prophecy of the last days as mentioned in the Bible.
Source:
The Barna Group, Ltd.
"Barna’s Annual Tracking Study Shows Americans Stay Spiritually Active, But Biblical Views Wane", May 21, 2007, The Barna Group.