As we read the Bible and study history, it is clear to see that times change, but people do not. History is marked by the patterns of human behavior. If history repeats itself, why don’t we work harder to change negative behavior? Or at least, why don’t we work harder to change the outcomes of our behavior? Some would argue that we do, while the evidence shows we clearly do not.
That is the findings of a study conducted last year by LifeWay Research asking respondents about confidence in their ability to understand and explain Scripture. Research discovered that in almost a decade, not much has changed in how we view our ability to “rightly handle the Word of God.”
According to the report, almost all U.S. Protestant churchgoers (95%) say they enjoy exploring a passage of Scripture to understand what it means, including 62% who strongly agree. A similar number (91%) believes they can read a passage and usually understand how it is relevant to them. Not surprising, as we have always been a curious people. Most everyone would agree that upon the opportunity to gain knowledge, we readily jump at the chance. The desire to make one wise was part of the original curiosity that led to Adam and Eve to trust Satan over the instruction of God.
As people, we tend to give ourselves more credit when it comes to directing others in their quest for knowledge. More than 4 in 5 believe they could address someone’s doubts about the truthfulness of Scripture (84%), someone’s difficulty accepting morals taught in the Bible (82%) and someone’s confusion over a passage in the Bible (82%).
The report also discovered that despite the confidence to help others, most churchgoers (56%) admit they find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it on their own. More than 2 in 5 (43%) disagree, and 1% aren’t sure. These numbers track, as we see the continual lack of spiritual fruit begin produced in the choices Americans make. Even though our Biblical knowledge and confidence increase, the moral and ethical outcomes of our choices are not mirrored.
As we dig deeper into the results, we can see one of the reasons Christians are not as impactful on our culture as we should be is found in the question Do some Biblical truths become obsolete over time? In 2019, 30% said they accepted some truths from the Bible but others don’t fit what they believe. That’s now up 4 percentage points (34%). Similarly, in 2019, 24% believed that as culture changes, some biblical truths become obsolete. Today, that has also climbed 4 percentage points (28%).
Younger churchgoers often have the most hesitancy around the Bible remaining consistent and true for every person. Those 18-29 are among the most likely to say the truth of God’s Word can mean different things to different people (87%) and some biblical truths don’t fit what they believe (56%). I can understand these findings as application of the Bible changes as we age and experience more life, but the truth of the Bible remains the same. Context and proper situational use should be measured, but those do not change the truthfulness or reliability of what we are reading. The findings show the younger a churchgoer is the more likely they are to see some truths from the Bible as obsolete. Those 18-29 (54%) are the most likely to agree, followed by those 30-49 (40%), 50-64 (19%) and 65 and older (13%).
We live in a time where information is readily available, but when information is received, who do we believe? We see people all the time “asking Siri or Alexa” but who is behind those search engines? Nothing substitutes Christians regularly gathering together to study the Bible. If the devil can separate us from gathering, he couldn’t care less which search engine you use to come to personal conclusions in making application. When it comes to proper Biblical interpretation, Christian brothers and sisters should be trusted to hold one another accountable in the context of a Spirit led assembly of Believers, and not left to one’s own convictions. For more information, view the complete report.
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Hebrews 5:11-13
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
That is the findings of a study conducted last year by LifeWay Research asking respondents about confidence in their ability to understand and explain Scripture. Research discovered that in almost a decade, not much has changed in how we view our ability to “rightly handle the Word of God.”
According to the report, almost all U.S. Protestant churchgoers (95%) say they enjoy exploring a passage of Scripture to understand what it means, including 62% who strongly agree. A similar number (91%) believes they can read a passage and usually understand how it is relevant to them. Not surprising, as we have always been a curious people. Most everyone would agree that upon the opportunity to gain knowledge, we readily jump at the chance. The desire to make one wise was part of the original curiosity that led to Adam and Eve to trust Satan over the instruction of God.
As people, we tend to give ourselves more credit when it comes to directing others in their quest for knowledge. More than 4 in 5 believe they could address someone’s doubts about the truthfulness of Scripture (84%), someone’s difficulty accepting morals taught in the Bible (82%) and someone’s confusion over a passage in the Bible (82%).
The report also discovered that despite the confidence to help others, most churchgoers (56%) admit they find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it on their own. More than 2 in 5 (43%) disagree, and 1% aren’t sure. These numbers track, as we see the continual lack of spiritual fruit begin produced in the choices Americans make. Even though our Biblical knowledge and confidence increase, the moral and ethical outcomes of our choices are not mirrored.
As we dig deeper into the results, we can see one of the reasons Christians are not as impactful on our culture as we should be is found in the question Do some Biblical truths become obsolete over time? In 2019, 30% said they accepted some truths from the Bible but others don’t fit what they believe. That’s now up 4 percentage points (34%). Similarly, in 2019, 24% believed that as culture changes, some biblical truths become obsolete. Today, that has also climbed 4 percentage points (28%).
Younger churchgoers often have the most hesitancy around the Bible remaining consistent and true for every person. Those 18-29 are among the most likely to say the truth of God’s Word can mean different things to different people (87%) and some biblical truths don’t fit what they believe (56%). I can understand these findings as application of the Bible changes as we age and experience more life, but the truth of the Bible remains the same. Context and proper situational use should be measured, but those do not change the truthfulness or reliability of what we are reading. The findings show the younger a churchgoer is the more likely they are to see some truths from the Bible as obsolete. Those 18-29 (54%) are the most likely to agree, followed by those 30-49 (40%), 50-64 (19%) and 65 and older (13%).
We live in a time where information is readily available, but when information is received, who do we believe? We see people all the time “asking Siri or Alexa” but who is behind those search engines? Nothing substitutes Christians regularly gathering together to study the Bible. If the devil can separate us from gathering, he couldn’t care less which search engine you use to come to personal conclusions in making application. When it comes to proper Biblical interpretation, Christian brothers and sisters should be trusted to hold one another accountable in the context of a Spirit led assembly of Believers, and not left to one’s own convictions. For more information, view the complete report.
We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Hebrews 5:11-13
Serving the Savior,
Bro. Jonathan
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