By Lonnie Wilkey
Editor, Baptist and Reflector
lwilkey@tnbaptist.org
LifeWay Research released a “State of Theology” study today (Sept. 8) that should sound an alarm to Christians all over the word.
It’s little wonder our world is “messed up.” People will believe anything when it comes to religion and faith in God. For example, the study found that 54 percent of Americans believe religion is a matter of personal opinion, not objective facts.
Here are a few more findings from LifeWay Research that are true “head scratchers.”
• Half of Americans (52 percent) agree Jesus was a great teacher, but not God.
• Two-thirds of the U.S. (64 percent) say God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam.
• A majority of Americans (56 percent) say hell is a real place where certain people will be punished forever. Here’s my personal comment. That means 44 percent of our people are living in disillusion. Hell is real and can only be avoided by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
• Most Americans believe they can only find salvation through Jesus. Three in five (60 percent) believe only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation. I agree with that wholeheartedly but research shows 40 percent do not. That are a lot of people on the road to hell and that does not include the number who believe in hell but still have not accepted Jesus Christ.
If you really want your eyes opened, read the section entitled “Muddled morality.” Only 51 percent of Americans believe sex outside of marriage is a sin and 40 percent believe the Bible’s condemnation of homosexuality does not apply today.
In addition, only 51 percent of Americans believe abortion is a sin and 38 percent believe gender identity is a choice.
The list goes on. Read the study, weep and pray like never before. God is our only answer. B&R