John 14:6 says, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Jesus rightfully claimed His place as Truth. His words are true, as are the words found within the Christian Bible.
That is why it is so disturbing to view the results of 2022’s ‘State of Theology’ survey. This research has been conducted every two years by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research since 2014.
The results, while disheartening for believing Christians who hold onto biblical truths, shine a light on the causation of American culture moving away from God. It is because self-proclaimed Christians are losing faith in His unerring Word.
Below are several of the areas that caused concern among the survey researchers, as the results show a departure from Scripture:
- God learns and adapts to different circumstances
A disturbingly high 51% of adults and 48% of evangelicals agreed with this statement. The researchers of this survey expressed dismay in their discovery by explaining their position:
“Despite the clear teaching of Scripture, this year’s survey reveals that approximately half of evangelicals believe that God learns and adapts to various situations, meaning that they believe that God does change.”
Hebrews 13:8-9a addresses this error in belief directly when it states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Do not be carried away with diverse and strange doctrines.”
It is a telling phrase that warns of “diverse doctrines.” Many today are committing atrocities against children, spreading racial division and twisting the Word of God, all in the name of diversity.
- Everyone is born innocent in the eyes of God
This question saw a staggering 71% of U.S. adults and 65% of evangelicals agree with this statement. These beliefs open the possibility that there could be another like Jesus, because if we are born innocent then it is theoretically possible to live a life without sin. This statement is also refuted by the Bible in several places. Romans 3:23 states, “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”
This means that yes, even children have sinned because they are physically born into a ‘sin world.’ The Earth suffers from the curse of sin that Adam and Eve allowed in when they succumbed to temptation. Nothing will be able to remove that curse until the Lord ushers in a “new heaven and a new earth” and sin is no more.
The researchers also note that Ephesians 2 verse 3 addresses this as well:
“God’s Word, however, makes clear that all humans are ‘by nature children of wrath.’ This truth is foundational for an accurate understanding of the gospel and of our absolute need for the grace of God in salvation.”
- Jesus was a great teacher, but He was not God
Perhaps the most disturbing trend found in this survey of U.S.-based, evangelical Christians is the increase of those who agree with the above statement. In 2020, 30% of evangelicals agreed with this statement. Now, in 2022, that number jumped to 43%. This shocking result shows that many who claim to be followers of Christ, are in fact no such thing. The researchers summed this stunning revelation up as a denial in Jesus’ divinity:
“This year’s survey also revealed a significant increase in evangelicals who deny Jesus’ divinity. Such a belief is contrary to Scripture, which affirms from beginning to end that Jesus is indeed God (John 1:1; 8:58; Rom. 9:5; Heb. 1:1-4).
The sad reality is that this survey’s findings are being displayed in American culture for all to see. The sexualization of children, the apostacy within the church, division at every level of government and so much more show a lack or removal of God at every level of society, including within the church.
Christians in America can no longer say these attacks on God Himself occur other places, but not here. The is at the American churches doorstep and will not stop. There are many who still believe the unerring Word of God, and those faithful must stand up and speak the Word to the world.
Jesus is the remedy to the symptoms of sin this world is experiencing. The gospel must be preached in its entirety if Christians are to see the world changed radically back towards God and experience life changing revival.
To read the full survey click here. {eoa}
James Lasher is a Copy Editor for Charisma Media.
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