Posted on 10/23/2018 11:25:09 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
American evangelicals are “deeply confused” about some core doctrines of the Christian faith—and the fourth-century heretic Arius would be pleased, according to a new survey.
For the third time, Ligonier Ministries has examined the State of Theology in the United States, conducted by LifeWay Research and based on interviews with 3,000 Americans. The survey, also conducted in 2014 and 2016, offers a detailed look at the favorite heresies of evangelicals and of Americans at large.
Ligonier wanted to know what Americans “believe about God, salvation, ethics, and the Bible.”
“Overall, US adults appear to have a superficial attachment to well-known Christian beliefs,” stated the ministry. “For example, a majority agreed that Jesus died on the cross for sin and that he rose from the dead.
“However, they rejected the Bible’s teaching on (1) the gravity of man’s sin, (2) the importance of the church’s gathering together for worship, and (3) the Holy Spirit,” stated Ligonier. For example:
Ligonier cites relativism for such a “casual outlook.” In the survey, 6 in 10 Americans agree that “religious belief is a matter of personal opinion [and] not about objective truth”—and 1 in 3 evangelicals (32%) say the same.
(Excerpt) Read more at christianitytoday.com ...
Very interesting link:
When it comes to Americans with “evangelical beliefs” [see below for LifeWay Research’s four-part definition], the survey found that a majority say:
Based on the results of the survey, It tells us something STRANGE and DISTURBING.
Most evangelicals are confused about the person of Jesus Christ. On one hand, virtually all evangelicals express support for Trinitarian doctrine.
Yet at the same time, most agree that Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God, which was a view espoused by the ancient heretic Arius.
Hmmm... this in effect tells us that most are IN FACT, Jehovah’s Witnesses in their beliefs !!
James White has been commenting on this for a long time now.
I am an evangelical who is deeply disturbed by these findings. And I don’t doubt the accuracy.
We have a tremendous opportunity to pray for an Awakening and to teach our brothers and sisters in Christ truth.
Both are needed.
Hmmm... this in effect tells us that most are IN FACT, Jehovahs Witnesses in their beliefs !!”
They aren’t all going to start knocking on my door with copies of the “Watchtower” then, are they?
78% of Christians confused Jesus with a creation? Yikes.
All sin separates us from God.
The Holy Spirit is not a person.
Wish they would of included a question as to how many of respondents actually read the Bible everyday and pray. People including myself (as an early Christian) went to church a couple of times a week, but didn’t have a daily intake of God’s Word. I can see how personal opinions and not actual Scripture proof could work there way into people answers to these questions. IMHO daily Scripture reading and prayer is essential for every Christian.
Almost every denomination has watered down their theology for the modern age thinking that they will get more followers and, instead, they lose more. When they play the devil’s game, they lose.
If you don’t study your Bible you won’t know what to believe.
Act 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Epic ... fail ...
re: “The Holy Spirit is not a person.”
The New Testament teaches that the Holy Spirit can:
1. Be grieved. (Ephesians 4:30)
2. Be lied to. (Acts 5:3
3. He teaches. (John 14:26)
4. Speak. (Acts 8:29)
5. Searches everything and knows God’s thoughts. (1 Corinthians 2:10-11)
6. He apportions spiritual gifts. (1 Corinthians 12:11)
7. He intercedes for us. (Romans 8:26-27)
8. He (as the Helper sent by Jesus) will convict the world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgement. (John 16:7-9)
There are others, but it seems clear that the Holy Spirit acts, speaks, can be grieved, teaches, etc. He is a Person and Co-Equal with the Father and the Son.
That is not a person.
That is a Spirit.
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