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Was Jesus a sinner, just like the rest of us? A new study revealed that a large percentage of Gen Z adults think so.
A poll conducted by the American Bible Society (with 2,598 adult participants) in its “State of the Bible 2022” revealed that 38% percent of Gen Z adults (ages 18-25) believe that Jesus committed sins, just like other people.
But anyone who reads the Bible—and believes it to be the inerrant Word of God—knows better.
- “You know that He was revealed to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5).
- For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
- For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth” (1 Peter 2:22).
And there are many, many more.
The study revealed that a large percentage of Gen Xers (37%) also believe that Jesus was not sinless. Millennials (35%) and baby boomers (35%) also incline to that way of thinking.
Twenty-six percent Americans aged 77 and older don’t believe the biblical doctrine of a sinless Christ, and that group proved to the “most likely Bible users (58%) of any generation.
John Plake, director of ministry of intelligence at American Bible Society and editor-in-chief of the “State of the Bible” series, told the Christian Post that he is less concerned about generational assumptions than the obvious frightening statistic.
“I’m more concerned that we point people to the Word of God,” Plake said. “We get them there, they’re going to find wisdom, they’re going to find hope for their struggles, and if we can help people deeply connect with the Bible, then doctrinal challenges are going to work themselves out.
“This is not new to America. It’s not new to the 21st century. In some ways, every culture in the world is against Christ.”
ABS’ “State of the Bible 2022” also revealed that there was an unprecedented drop in Bible engagement during the COVID pandemic, which is ironic considering many people stayed inside their homes, for the most part, for months.
Plake told the Christian Post that much of that stems from “social pressures liked to the pandemic.” {eoa}
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Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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