Most Americans Take Well-Known Bible Stories at Face Value

The Barna Group ^ | October 21, 2007 | George Barna

[Sopater]

While the level of literal acceptance of these Bible stories is nothing short of astonishing given our cultural context, the widespread embrace of these accounts raises questions about the unmistakable gap between belief and behavior. On the one hand we have tens of millions of people who view these narratives as reflections of the reality, the authority and the involvement of God in our lives. On the other hand, a majority of those same people harbor a stubborn indifference toward God and His desire to have intimacy with them. In fact, a minority of the people who believe these stories to be true consistently apply the principles imbedded in these stories within their own lives. It seems that millions of Americans believe the Bible content is true, but are not willing to translate those stories into action. Sadly, for many people, the Bible has become a respected but impersonal religious history lesson that stays removed from their life.

I believe that the reason for this is that most people don't know anything else the Bible says apart from these stories, nor do they know how these stories relate to each other or to their lives.

I say this because it was true for me before I decided to become a student of the Bible. People who believe what the Bible says don't necessarily believe that God continues to work in the world today the same way that He did 2000 to 6000 years ago.

Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation." For when they maintain this, it escapes their notice that by the word of God the heavens existed long ago and the earth was formed out of water and by water, through which the world at that time was destroyed, being flooded with water. But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. (2Pe 3:3-7)

[frogjerk]

Surprisingly, the most significant Bible story of all - "the story of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, after being crucified and buried" - was also the most widely embraced. Three out of four adults (75%) said they interpreted that narrative literally, while only one out of five (19%) said they did not take that story literally. The more highly educated respondents were, the less likely they were to take the story literally, although even two-thirds of college graduates (68%) believe the resurrection narrative is literally true. One of the most substantial differences of opinion occurred between mainline Protestants (83% of whom take the resurrection literally) and non-mainline Protestants (among whom 95% accept the resurrection as fact). Overall, 82% of Catholics embrace the resurrection narrative as being true. Black adults were much more likely than either whites (74%) or Hispanics (80%) to consider the resurrection to be true.

Maybe it is because it actually happened.

[frogjerk]

I believe that the reason for this is that most people don't know anything else the Bible says apart from these stories, nor do they know how these stories relate to each other or to their lives.

I was watching a game show (Cash Cab) the other night and the couple in the cab couldn't name one of the 4 Gospels.

I couldn't believe it.

[HoosierHawk]

Surprisingly, the most significant Bible story of all - "the story of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, after being crucified and buried" - was also the most widely embraced. Three out of four adults (75%) said they interpreted that narrative literally...

"Surprisingly" to whom? These intelligencia write like there's something wrong with me.

**shakes head**

[JohnnyZ]

Surprisingly, the most significant Bible story of all - "the story of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, after being crucified and buried" - was also the most widely embraced.

I think they mean "unsurprisingly".

I wonder how they determined each responder's religion? I assume there are a good number of secular people among the 'Catholics'. Some Catholics treat it like some Jews do -- a cultural thing, not a religion.

[Resolute Conservative]

My question is if these numbers are true then why do the “people” allow things to happen like taking God out of school, gay marriage, et. al.

Sadly, I think these numbers are overblown or at least I hope they are for if that many people say they believe but continue to be apathetic our great country has little more than a prayer.

[ChocChipCookie]

Here's something related that I read in the most recent issue of a newsletter from Answers in Genesis.

We live in a world where the Bible is openly attacked. Secular scientists claim that science has disproved the Bible's historicity. The trouble is that most Sunday school materials only tell Bible stories to the young people. They may add some character-building principles but don't necessarily teach how to defend biblical accounts as real history.

Yes, in church our children and adults hear about Jonah and the big fish, etc., but when young people go out into the secular world, they find that the trustworthiness of the Bible is attacked. They hear claims such as: science has proved evolution to be true; Noah couldn't fit the animals on the Ark; "ape men" disprove the Bible; science shows the earth is old, and so on.

To effectively equip our young people (and adults) today, we can't just tell Bible stories. We need to teach Christians how to defend the Bible against secular attacks. In this way, they will believe these Bible stories to be real history.

[Tenacious 1]

I am troubled by the overtone of stupidity = gullibility. Maybe I am being over sensitive or skeptical of a journalist/scientist/researcher. The more educated you are, the more likely you are to believe in this stuff?

I believe, as all Christians should, Christ did rise from the dead and make himself seen by several. It is, the basis of our faith and the miracle which launched Christianity in its present form.

I also believe there are many things in the bible which can be explained but are miracles no less. Did Moses live to be 700 years old, or does 700 represent the number of generations he outlasted in the peoples original spoken text?

I believe the Old Testament to be more representative and symbolic than the New Testament.

[Squawk 8888]

A lot of research has shown these miracles are plausible- all of the events are theoretically possible but highly unlikely in that era, indicating the intervention of a higher power.

[verity]

"...they remain confident that some of the most amazing stories in the Bible can be taken at face value...."

Is this not true of any religion's adherents?

[elpadre]

“the story of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, after being crucified and buried” - was also the most widely embraced.....”

It is the Resurrection of Jesus on which all of Christianity is founded.

If we believe in an omnipotent God, a God who created all that is and will be, then why can’t He rise from the dead, and ascend unto heaven, why can't miracles happen. Humans can’t get their arms around such a God, that is, without faith.

no Resurrection = no Christianity.

[thepresidentsbestfriend]

It`s unfortunate that they do not believe what Jesus(THE WORD OF GOD) had to say about abortion/ homosexuality etc.

Very sad that many of these same people reject Jesus.

[martin_fierro]

I like that show.

But yeah, can’t believe some of the dunderhead contestants.

[Don Corleone]

"the story of Jesus Christ rising from the dead, after being crucified and buried" - was also the most widely embraced. Three out of four adults (75%) said they interpreted that narrative literally,

If that one didn't happen...all the rest are meaningless!!!

[Tenacious 1]

Amen!

[MrB]

Actually, an atheist researcher set out to disprove “the Christ story” and ended up declaring that

“there is more historical evidence that Jesus Christ was born, crucified, and was raised from the dead than that Napoleon ever existed.”

[Moonman62]

I believe that the reason for this is that most people don't know anything else the Bible says apart from these stories,

I sometimes get the feeling that Christians don't know anything but John 3:16.

[frogjerk]

Read the whole article again. At first I had the same reaction as you did but at the end of the article it basically asks the question "If most people believe in many of the stories as fact, then why are they so God-adverse in the personal and family lives?". It is a good question.

Believers need to live the Gospel, not just believe in it.

[taxcontrol]

The story of David and Goliath is told as the story of a stone and a sling.... what people fail to remember is that David cut off Goliath’s head with his sword.

Once people realize that it is quite possible that the stone knocked Goliath out and that he was killed by the sword ... the story becomes much more acceptable to many people. It also helps if they see what a sling can actually do with a stone. Slingers were so good that in anchient times, there were units that were organized as slingers.

The other reason people have problems with Goliath is due to the height of Goliath. But there are different translations and if you take the smallest of the translations, it works out to 6ft 6in .... about 2 meters. The current 9 foot is close to 3 meters. So if you split the difference, you end up with a 7 foot plus Giant. Anyone know of a 7foot plus Giant?

[MrB]

And most secular socialist know nothing but

“Judge not”