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The report also unveils astonishing statistics related to the theological perspectives of evangelicals. Only four out of 10 churchgoers in evangelical churches (41%) contend that human life is sacred, aligning with the finding that barely half of evangelicals (55%) believe that having an abortion for any reason other than protecting the life of the mother or child is morally unacceptable. Additional biblical perspectives rejected by a majority of evangelicals include the notion that consistent obedience to God is the best indicator of a successful life (44%) and the belief that world history is God's story, consistently moving toward the fulfillment of His plan for humanity (48%).
Shockingly, only half of evangelicals (55%) believe that people are born as sinners and can only be saved through Jesus Christ. The study also notes that one-third of regular attendees in evangelical churches are not born-again Christians.
Mainline Protestants also demonstrate a lack of views aligned with biblical teachings. Out of the 20 beliefs and behaviors examined, a majority of mainline church attendees display a biblical point of view on only six factors. Some of the most significant differences between mainline and biblical views include the rejection of the teaching that moral truth must be determined by each individual (27%), the belief in the sanctity of human life (39%), and the understanding that human dignity comes from being a child of God (37%). Mainline adults are more likely to consider life accomplishments as an indicator of a successful life (24%) rather than consistent obedience to God. Furthermore, only one-third of mainline attendees (34%) believe in the doctrine of original sin and salvation through Jesus Christ.
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" ... What we’ve been doing for decades—topical preaching series, small group discussions and the like—clearly is not working. We’re at 4% of the adult public—including just one out of every seven born-again Christians—owning a biblical worldview. What do we have to lose by changing our strategy?"
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The numbers clearly demonstrate how far from its biblical and historical foundations the present-day church has strayed, says Dr. George Barna, Director of Research at the Cultural Research Center. It is also no wonder, he says, that churches are struggling to have a positive influence on the culture when the beliefs and lifestyles of those in attendance bear such a striking resemblance to those of people outside the church. Barna claims it’s time for pastors to clean up their own theology and provide strategic guidance that will restore influence for Christians in American society.
"Churches driven by numerical growth, national reputation, financial comfort, and safe programs are not what Jesus died on the cross to facilitate. We may be in the last days of the opportunity to freely pursue Jesus’s call to make disciples. And we’re well past the time when we should abandon the emphasis on information transmission rather than life transformation. The last three decades have consumed the margin for error in ministry. We’ve reached the point of ‘all hands on deck’ to rescue a hollowed-out church. What is it going to take for Christ’s followers?"
As a first step toward helping American Christians reclaim the substance of their faith, he suggests that pastors launch a campaign to help people understand, embrace and model the seven cornerstones of the biblical worldview.
"It’s a simple way to ease people into biblical faith while providing a solid foundation on which to expand and nurture their faith," he stated.
"What we’ve been doing for decades—topical preaching series, small group discussions and the like—clearly is not working. We’re at 4% of the adult public—including just one out of every seven born-again Christians—owning a biblical worldview. What do we have to lose by changing our strategy?"
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