Churches failing to preach about sin is a 'bodyblow' as many Christians reject basic teachings: Barna

[Michie]

Only two-thirds of self-identfied Christians think everyone sins

A significant number of Christians reject basic teachings about sin, according to a new survey, which one prominent Evangelical researcher views as a "bodyblow" stemming from American churches' failure to address the topic.

The Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University released the eighth installment of its 2025 "American Worldview Inventory" on Thursday, which features data based on responses collected from 2,000 United States adults in May 2025.

An overwhelming majority of respondents (84%) agreed that "sin exists" and "it is real." Majorities of all major religious subgroups examined subscribed to this belief, with acknowledgment of sin's existence highest among theologically-identified born-again Christians (99%), followed by those who attend a Protestant church (97%), self-identified Christians (95%) and respondents who attend a Catholic Church (94%). Even most self-identified non-Christians (61%) acknowledged the existence of sin.

However, respondents were significantly less likely to agree with a statement declaring "I am a sinner."

A large majority of theologically identified born-again Christians (74%) conceded that they were sinners, along with smaller majorities of Protestants (66%) and self-identified Christians (60%). About half of Catholics (50%) said they were sinners, while less than half of self-identified non-Christians (36%) did.

Continued below.

Churches failing to preach about sin is a 'bodyblow' as many Christians reject basic teachings: Barna

A significant number of Christians reject basic teachings about sin, according to a new survey, which one prominent Evangelical researcher views as a body blow stemming from American churches failure

www.christianpost.com

 

[PloverWing]

This is one of those cases where I really wish I could see the exact questions, and also where I wish I could follow up with a conversation with the people being interviewed.

For reference, the report on the survey is here (https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp...mericans-Christians-Deny-Their-Sinfulness.pdf) , and Barna's definition of a Biblical worldview is here (Biblical Worldview – ACU Worldview Assessment). Unfortunately, it looks like one has to pay money in order to buy the questionnaire and see the exact questions.

The phrase "I am a sinner" can mean so many things to people. A person might say "No, I was a sinner, but now I am saved because I believe in Jesus." Or they might say "I've done things that are wrong, but a person isn't defined by the worst thing about them." Or they might associate the churchy word "sin" with trivia like drinking and dancing and eating too much chocolate cake. I would prefer to word the statement in a way that avoids church jargon, especially when talking to someone from outside Evangelical Christianity -- something like "I have done things that hurt people."

And don't get me started on whether an abstract concept like "sin" exists. (People do sinful acts, but in what sense do abstract concepts exist? Does "round" exist? Does "tall" exist? Does the number 8 exist? Philosophers want to know. )

I have heard that one sign of being an INTJ is that you want to nitpick all the survey questions.

 

[Tuur]

And don't get me started on whether an abstract concept like "sin" exists. (People do sinful acts, but in what sense do abstract concepts exist? Does "round" exist? Does "tall" exist? Does the number 8 exist? Philosophers want to know. )

Well...natural philosophers may argue about the nature of gravity, but I don't recommend they walk off a tall building.

 

[Servus]

1 John should be required reading.