The Shocking Truth About a Biblical Worldview in the Church Today
For decades, Christianity has been a dominant faith in the United States, shaping culture and politics alike. However, recent studies show a decline in the number of Christians in the U.S. who hold a biblical worldview, raising questions about the future of Christianity in America.
According to a Barna Group study conducted in 2017, only 17% of American adults hold a biblical worldview, which is defined as believing in the accuracy of the Bible, the existence of God as the Creator of the universe, the reality of sin, the centrality of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for salvation, and the importance of evangelism. This represents a significant drop from previous decades when Christianity was more prevalent and a biblical worldview was more widely held.
There are several reasons for this decline. One of the most significant is the rise of secularism in American culture. As society becomes more focused on materialism and individualism, many people are turning away from religion altogether. Additionally, the internet and social media have made it easier than ever for people to access a variety of worldviews, leading to a decline in the influence of traditional religious institutions. The proliferation of pornography, self-help materials, and access to these individualistic "self-focused" views lead people to believe they know better than God.
Another contributing factor is the changing demographics of the United States. Younger generations, in particular, are less likely to identify as Christian or to hold a biblical worldview. This may be due in part to the increasing diversity of the country and the fact that younger Americans are more likely to have friends and acquaintances of different religions and backgrounds.
The decline of Christianity in the U.S. has significant implications for both the faith and the country as a whole. As Christianity loses its influence, it is becoming more difficult for Christians to have a voice in public discourse and to advocate for their beliefs. Additionally, the decline of a shared moral and ethical framework could lead to a more fragmented and divided society. What was unacceptable just 20 years ago is widely defended.
We have seen a decline in morality in our nation. It is leading to a loss of shared values and a moral framework that have long been central to American culture. In addition, the decline of Christianity is having political implications, as Christianity has historically played a significant role in shaping public policy and discourse. Without a strong Christian presence, there may be a greater emphasis on individualism and personal choice, which is leading to greater divisions within society.
The Word of God is fully able to stand on its own. It is not antiquated and in need of a 21st-century revision. It is not irrelevant in 2023, nor does it need to take into consideration the cultural and societal changes that have occurred over the past 2000 years. The Bible must remain THE standard for all truth. Christianity has proven to be resilient throughout history. This is further proof to me that God’s Word is alive and active—it cannot be extinguished.
The decline of Christians in the U.S. who hold a biblical worldview is a significant trend with far-reaching implications. In just my lifetime, I’ve seen the Christian culture in the U.S. become more accepting of sin in the name of “loving others” or “not judging others”. However, sin is sin regardless of how we dress it up. When the Church of Jesus Christ begins to accept or tolerate sin, we are no longer Christ-followers.
We can still love others and hate sin. In fact, that is exactly what Jesus did. I fear that the Church in America is akin to the proverbial frog in the kettle, soon to be boiled alive without even knowing it. It’s time for those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers to return to the Bible and allow God’s Word to be the benchmark by which we live. Anything else allows us to become part of the majority who wear the “Christian” name tag, but don’t follow the standards.
There is still hope that Christianity can remain a vibrant and influential force in American culture, especially if it can find ways to engage and inspire younger generations. Many Christian leaders and organizations are actively working to engage younger generations and to promote a biblical worldview in new and innovative ways. As long as this engaging and inspiring doesn't subvert the Word of God, e need to walk alongside these leaders so we don't lose the next generation.
A biblical worldview is critical for us and our children. The time is now.
© Mike Stone, Behind the Mike: Conversations of Hope podcast blog, May 9, 2023