Recent Gallup Poll On American's View of Bible Reveals Utter Chaos On Authority of Scripture

Christian Post ^ | 06/09/2014 | John MaCArthur

[SeekAndFind]

The Christian Post recently published the findings of a Gallup poll designed to gauge Americans' opinion on the Bible. The findings reveal the utter chaos in our culture regarding the nature and authority of Scripture.

Gallup's poll found that only 28 percent of Americans believe that the Bible is the Word of God and should be taken literally. And yet nearly 50 percent believe that the Bible is the "inspired Word of God" while insisting that not all of its content be taken literally, but rather as "metaphors and allegories that allow for interpretation."

"Allowing for interpretation" seems to be key for our postmodern, pluralistic society, as 58 percent - representing the majority of self-identifying Christians in America - accept that the Bible is the "actual Word of God" but insist, "multiple interpretations are possible."

Clearly, the prevailing belief in our culture is that while the Bible may be the inspired Word of God, it doesn't mean what it says. It's only authoritative as long as the reader is the final arbiter of what it actually means. Debates on Scripture ultimately all come back to the issue of authority, and the majority of professing Christians in America have rejected the objective authority of the inerrant Word of God and have replaced it with the authority of self.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I think you may yet not be able to see. More explanation follows, however.

[CynicalBear]

>> And really Bear, I mean it about the broad brushes. I see fairly balanced Christians getting good benefit out of Osteen’s spiritual pep talks, because they know how to put it all in proper context.<<

There are always exceptions. I have watched him, and those like him for years. There is no sound teaching there. It is entirely “this world”.

>> If I walked away every single time I saw that, I’d be walking all over Nashville.<<

Of course we can’t “walk out” at the first sign or even “pockets” as you mentioned. It’s the over all teaching and where it leads that needs to be assessed.

[CynicalBear]

I got it on your post 79.

[HiTech RedNeck]

There is no sound teaching there.

I truly would disagree with that. What it is, is not balanced for a broad mainstream. Taken with the proper perspective there is virtually nothing I have found to disagree with.

[CynicalBear]

>> Taken with the proper perspective there is virtually nothing I have found to disagree with.<<

Would you say it concerns itself with this worldly life or our spiritual eternal life?

[HiTech RedNeck]

I say it chiefly concerns the place where they intersect, and pretty well at that. And actually he does speak of eternity at times. Nobody should make a steady diet of just that, of course. But do you condemn your heart surgeon because he is not a podiatrist too?

[HiTech RedNeck]

Oh, and you have begged the question with the word “worldly.”

[CynicalBear]

>>But do you condemn your heart surgeon because he is not a podiatrist too?<<

Not even close to the same thing. If needed I would go to each for specifics. I doubt most of those attending Osteen’s church go to others as a matter of course. I’m not saying no one should ever listen to someone like Osteen but to the thousands who are members that is all they get.