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The State of Theology study was conducted in 2018 and sponsored by Ligonier Ministries. This is the third time we have conducted the study with Ligonier. We ask Americans about biblical beliefs and heresies to see how many people agree with each.
Summary
Why repeat questions over the course of time?
First, listening to public opinion is helpful for descriptive (not prescriptive) reasons to understand how the general population thinks about issues related to theology.
- 6 in 10 Americans affirm that religious belief is about personal opinion rather than objective truth. They believe truth is relative. Picking and choosing religious beliefs.
- 57% of Americans agree that Jesus Christ is the only person who never sinned
- Americans reveal a pattern of affirming Biblical beliefs at the same time they affirm views that are contrary to biblical teaching.
- Two-thirds of Americans agree in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- More than 2/3 agree that God is a perfect being and cannot make a mistake.
- Less than 1/4 agree that even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation
Most with evangelical beliefs say that there is objective truth.
- We know when we ask all Americans there will be those who do not hold biblical beliefs.
- However, when we look at those who attend church regularly or hold evangelical beliefs, it is surprising what some of them agree.
- Nineteen percent agree that the Holy Spirit can tell me to do something that is forbidden in the Bible.
Be sure to Tweet your questions and comments to us: @LifeWayResearch and individually: @smcconn, @statsguycasey, and @lizettebeard. Join us next time for another edition of Keep Asking.