The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University released its 2023 American Worldview Inventory earlier this year. According to that study, over 69% of Americans identify as Christians.
In a nation beset by a major culture war—with issues such as racism, the debate over transgenderism, a split view on the controversy of abortion—one might think a number like that would be encouraging.
However, when you read further into the research document, a most telling statistic arises. Only 4% of Americans share a biblical worldview—revealing a discouraging percentage of people who filter the decisions of their lives through the Word of God. A biblical worldview, by definition, is a means of experiencing, interpreting and responding to reality in light of biblical perspectives so that each choice you make is consistent with God’s principles and commands.
So, the fact that only 4% Americans share a biblical worldview can only mean one thing: God’s true remnant is shrinking, the message of Luke 21:26 and 2 Timothy 3:1-6 are coming to pass:
- “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26).
- “Know this: In the last days perilous times will come. Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people” (2 Tim. 3:1-6).
But is this the fault of “so-called Christians” themselves? Maybe not.
Bishop Garland Hunt of The Father’s House Atlanta wrote in The Christian Post, that “Unfortunately, the culture is shaping people more than the church. Where there is no biblical worldview, there is no repentance, no contrition, brokenness or redemption.”
A nationwide survey of American’s Christian pastors, published by the Cultural Research Center at ACU, revealed that a majority of pastors lack a biblical worldview. In fact, just slightly more than a third (37%) possess a biblical worldview.
Even more disturbing is that a majority—62%—hold a hybrid worldview known as Syncretism, which is defined by Merriam-Webster as: 1. The combination of different forms of belief or practice; and 2. The fusion of two or more originally different inflectional forms.
Jesus said in John 14:6-7: “… “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.”
Isn’t as simple as that? If more than 60% of American pastors nationwide hold this Syncretism view, is it any wonder that less than 5% of Americans share a biblical worldview?
Many Christian leaders believe that America is primed for revival, but statistics show a lack of reverence for God and His Word coming from the pulpit.
Hunt wrote in The Christian Post:
“As it says in Isaiah 57:15, our hearts much be contrite and filled with humility. We need to cry out to [the] Lord and surrender to Him. To do this work, church leaders must disciple and train its congregants to have a biblical worldview—and live a life that is fully surrendered to God with the Bible as their foundation.
“However, pastors and leaders must first possess a biblical worldview—and a posture of reverence for God’s Word, no matter what man says. The direction given must be biblical. If we cry out to Him, with a hunger and willingness to be broken, God will do a mighty work in us.
“The results of this study should jar us but not surprise us—as we can look around and see the rotten fruit from our collective disobedience. It is my hope this insight will move us all to swift action—to examine our hearts, our families and our churches—and come up with a plan of action to help us adopt a biblical worldview—and, get us ready for revival, individually and corporately.”
Preach a biblical worldview or conform to the culture. Kingdom leaders, it’s up to you. {eoa}
Shawn A. Akers is the online editor at Charisma Media.
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