Most Church Members Ignorant of Christian Basics

[Bruce S]

[size=+1]Barna Study Finds [/size]Most Church Members
Ignorant of Christian Basics




[size=-1]Issue Date: September/October 2003[/size]



A study by the Barna Research Group reveals that only 41 percent of the adults in the nation's 12 largest denominations could be classified as "born again." This conclusion was not based on whether they believed they were born again, but on certain statements of belief such as the sinlessness of Christ and existence of Satan.

"The report is a striking indictment of the loss of doctrinal confidence and the erosion of biblical beliefs that marks American Christianity," said R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Barna found that, of the Baptists surveyed, 57 percent believed that works play a part in salvation and 45 percent believed that Jesus was not sinless. Only 34 percent thought that Satan was real and 66 percent believed that the Bible was totally accurate. Just fifty one percent believed that Christians are responsible to witness to others.

When the above criteria along with belief in a all-knowing, all-powerful, perfect God who created and rules the universe, and that salvation is by grace alone, was included in the definition of an "evangelical," only 8 percent of the adults qualified.

"For too many 'evangelicals,' all that remains is emotional fervor and religious participation -not the living faith founded upon the truth of the Gospel," Mohler concluded.

These statistics go a long way in explaining the poor participation by Christians in the business of soul winning. Pastor Y. T. Wee of Singapore quotes one frustrated church member: "I am tired of being put through a guilt trip each time I go to church. The preacher constantly chides us for not winning souls. I want too, but will somebody show me how?"

Many church members can relate to this by remembering a time when they tried to witness and the other person tied them in knots with questions they could not answer

 

[Lotar]

I do agree that most Christians lack a basic understanding of the faith.

 

[Terri]

The saddest part to me is that people think works play a part in salvation.

People who believe this haven't entered through the narrow gate, they haven't entered God's rest, they are denying the sufficiency of Jesus' sacrifice and are therefore denying Him and they don't even realize it. Very sad.

Of course not believing in the sinlessness of Christ and existence of Satan are certainly major errors. If Jesus wasn't sinless then He could not have paid for your sins. And, make no mistake Satan is roaming around like a roaring lion seeking whom he might devour. If you don't realize this and learn spiritual warfare you will most certainly be devoured.

 

[ej]

That's an interesting study, Bruce.

The way I see it, is that Christianity is open to ANYBODY, regardless of their biblical knowledge. Christianity is not an exam, though it helps to know what your own beliefs are

Regarding witnessing, my thoughts are that if there are large gaps in your knowledge, you put yourself at risk of attack. Those who do not wish to learn the Bible inside out should spread God's word through other means...

Evangelism is a gift, those without that gift can still 'evangelise' but should probably stay out of the pulpit

 

[Rising_Suns]

wow.

Did they only survey Baptists? It would be nice to see the results of the same survey on a few more protestant denomnations and with Catholics/orthodox.

 

[AngelAmidala]

That's what I was thinking Rising_Suns. Especially because the quoted article did say...

A study by the Barna Research Group reveals that only 41 percent of the adults in the nation's 12 largest denominations could be classified as "born again."

I'd be interested to know the other 11 denominations involved in the study and their numbers too.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

The saddest part to me is that people think works play a part in salvation.

Do you really want to argue for antinomianism with so many scriptures aligned against you?

Christian Basics 101, you will be judged by your works and faith without works is dead. James 2:24-26. In Matthew 25:31-46, God rewards the sheep that did good works, but sends the goats to eternal punishment because they did nothing. In 1Corinthians3:11-15 people are judged by how they build on the foundation of Christ. In Philippians 2:12 we are told to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. Ephesians 2:10 says that we were created to do good works because God predestined us to do them.

We are saved by Grace, through faith, to do good works. You cannot remove good works from salvation.

 

[Lotar]

Do you really want to argue for antinomianism with so many scriptures aligned against you?

Christian Basics 101, you will be judged by your works and faith without works is dead. James 2:24-26. In Matthew 25:31-46, God rewards the sheep that did good works, but sends the goats to eternal punishment because they did nothing. In 1Corinthians3:11-15 people are judged by how they build on the foundation of Christ. In Philippians 2:12 we are told to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. Ephesians 2:10 says that we were created to do good works because God predestined us to do them.

We are saved by Grace, through faith, to do good works. You cannot remove good works from salvation.

Your taking her statement out of context. She said that in response to the poll that 57% of Christians claim that works play a part in salvation.

That is unless you want to claim that salvation is a result of your works, rather than your works are a result of your salvation.

 

[Rising_Suns]

I believe that question of the original poll may have been misleading. We all know that faith without works is dead don't we? You can say you are saved till the sky falls, but it's empty if you do not act on your faith. It's dead faith. So in a round about way, works does play a part, because it is the result of faith.

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Your taking her statement out of context. She said that in response to the poll that 57% of Christians claim that works play a part in salvation.

That is unless you want to claim that salvation is a result of your works, rather than your works are a result of your salvation.

She implied that works play no part in salvation, my point is that you can't have one without the other. Whether one results from the other or not, it is still a part. Works do not result in salvation on their own, but salvation does result in works, else it is not salvation according to the scriptures.

 

[Lotar]

She implied that works play no part in salvation, my point is that you can't have one without the other. Whether one results from the other or not, it is still a part. Works do not result in salvation on their own, but salvation does result in works, else it is not salvation according to the scriptures.

Work play no part in salvation. Works come about as a result of salvation. If one does not have works, it is because the do not have salvation, not the other way around.

To say that works are required for salvation, says that we are saved atleast partly because of our own merit, which we know not to be true.

 

[Rising_Suns]

To say that works are required for salvation, says that we are saved atleast partly because of our own merit, which we know not to be true.

*Dave keels over in pain* Oh, the agony! My fingers want to type but I can't!

grrr.

 

[SavedByGrace3]

Most believers do not even know what the basic "foundational doctrines" are.
Who would have named "laying on of hands" as one of the basic doctrines of the word of God? Yet there it is as listed along with
"repentance from dead works"
"faith toward God"
"teachings about baptisms"
"laying on of hands"
"resurrection of the dead"
"eternal judgement"

Find them listed just this way in Heb 6:1-3!

 

[Lotar]

*Dave keels over in pain* Oh, the agony! My fingers want to type but I can't!

grrr.

Darn you Luther! ... *shakes fist* Darn you!!!

 

[boughtwithaprice]

Work play no part in salvation. Works come about as a result of salvation. If one does not have works, it is because the do not have salvation, not the other way around.

To say that works are required for salvation, says that we are saved atleast partly because of our own merit, which we know not to be true.

Lotar, isn't your quote just a restating of what I posted? Tell me how what I said was different from the first part of yours.

Your two statements seem contradictory; you first say that salvation results in good works, then you say that works are not required, meaning that a person without good works can have salvation which could not be true if good works follows salvation because if the person was saved, he would have good works. Do you see that your reasoning is circular?

Since Dave was in too much pain to type, I thought I would.

Jerome

 

[Lotar]

Lotar, isn't your quote just a restating of what I posted? Tell me how what I said was different from yours.

Your two statements seem contradictory; you first say that salvation results in good works, then you say that works are not required, meaning that a person without good works can have salvation which could not be true if good works follows salvation because if the person was saved, he would have good works. Do you see that your reasoning is circular?

Since Dave was in too much pain to type, I thought I would.

Jerome

No, I didn't restate your answer at all. Your statement says that good works are atleast partly responsible, or required of salvation. I say that good works are a result of salvation. It is cause and effect.

It's a chicken and the egg arguement.

 

[ej]

I know lots of wonderful, generous people who are not Christians. Are you suggesting that they have been 'saved' without realising, or that they are in fact NOT producing fruits/works?

 

[Lotar]

I know lots of wonderful, generous people who are not Christians. Are you suggesting that they have been 'saved' without realising, or that they are in fact NOT producing fruits/works?

Works are a result of salvation, but that does not mean that works cannot come for some other reason as well. All dogs are mammals, not all mammals are dogs. All who are saved have works, not all who have works are saved.

 

[ej]

Works are a result of salvation, but that does not mean that works cannot come for some other reason as well. All dogs are mammals, not all mammals are dogs. All who are saved have works, not all who have works are saved.

Okay - I agree

I guess I misunderstood your previous statement

 

[boughtwithaprice]

But, can you be saved without works?