INTRODUCTION
An August 31, 2021 report from the Cultural Research Center of Arizona Christian University entitled “What Does It Mean When People Say They are ‘Christian’?”[i] presents disturbing evidence about the spiritual condition of Americans who say they are “Christian.” The report identifies the following five categories of “Christians:” (1) people who call themselves “Christians;” (2) people who self-identify as “born again Christians;” (3) people who self-identify as “evangelical Christians;” (4) people whose theological beliefs establish them as “born again Christians;” and (5) people who possess a biblical worldview[ii] and who the report refers to as “Integrated Disciples.”
As you can imagine, the theological views can vary a lot between the people in these categories. Many of these folks should examine themselves to see if they are saved using my The Salvation Meter book[iii]. The most shocking data comes from the purported most committed category of Christians, i.e., the “Integrated Disciples.” Integrated Disciples comprise only 6% of the adult population in America and only about 9% of people who claim to be “Christian.” Integrated Disciples are the “cream of the crop” evangelical Christians.
There are four biblically incorrect views that a meaningful number of the “cream of the crop” Evangelical Christians hold to. In this article, I discuss the fourth unbiblical view; namely, that people are basically good.
SHOCKING NEWS – PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY GOOD, ACCORDING TO 52% OF THE “CREAM OF THE CROP” EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS
Introduction
52% of the “cream of the crop” evangelical Christians, i.e., Integrated Disciples, believe that people are basically good. Such a belief is unbiblical “in spades.”
The Bible Teaches that All People are Sinners
The Bible teaches that all people are sinner. For example, Romans 3:23 (NASB95) says:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Psalm 14:3 (NASB95) teaches the same principle:
3 They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; There is no one who does good, not even one.
The Apostle Paul taught per Galatians 3:22 (NASB95) that all people are sinners:
22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
The Apostle John taught that all people are sinners when he wrote 1 John 1:8 (NASB95):
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
All people are sinners, and therefore, people cannot be basically good.
CONCLUSION
It is incredible that over one-half of the “cream of the crop” evangelical Christians believe that people are basically good. American churches need to teach the truth and the people need to listen and comprehend.
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION
If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my new (published in October, 2021) book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ). At Amazon the book link is https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 . I also have website in which I am updating the content in the book. The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN
If you are reading this post and are not a Christian, your eternal destination is hell unless God intervenes. But, your destiny can change. Today can be the day of your salvation. Please see my blog (https://stevebelsheim.com/2020/04/20/for-god-so-loves-you-2/) for a description of how you can be saved and a more concise description at my (https://stevebelsheim.com/2020/10/20/there-is-hope-even-when-there-seems-to-be-no-hope-2/ ).
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Scripture quotations marked “ESV” are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture marked “NASB95” are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”
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[i] A PDF version of the Report is at the following link: CRC_AWVI2021_Release06_Digital_01_20210831.pdf (arizonachristian.edu).
[ii] The definition of a “biblical worldview” is not concrete. In a Barna report dated May 12, 2014 entitled “Only Half of Protestant Pastors Have a Biblical Worldview” (link: Only Half Of Protestant Pastors Have A Biblical Worldview – Barna Group), a biblical worldview was defined as:
Defining such a worldview as believing that absolute moral truth exists, that it is based upon the Bible, and having a biblical view on six core beliefs (the accuracy of biblical teaching, the sinless nature of Jesus, the literal existence of Satan, the omnipotence and omniscience of God, salvation by grace alone, and the personal responsibility to evangelize), (May 12, 2004) link:
The definition from Barna in a May 9, 2017 Barna Research report (link: Competing Worldviews Influence Today’s Christians – Barna Group) reads:
Barna defines “biblical worldview” as believing that absolute moral truth exists; the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches; Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; and God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today.
A more recent definition from the Center for Biblical Worldview (link: Center For Biblical Worldview (frc.org)) reads:
The mission of the Center for Biblical Worldview is to equip Christians with a biblical worldview and train them to advance and defend the faith in their families, communities, and the public square. We believe a person exhibits a biblical worldview when their beliefs and actions are aligned with the Bible, acknowledging its truth and applicability to every area of life.
The last definition is less than precise so I have taken the 2014 and 2017 definitions to define a biblical worldview to comprise the following components: (1) that absolute moral truth exists and it is based on the Bible (66 books); (2) the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches; (3) Satan is considered to be a real being or force, not merely symbolic; (4) salvation is by grace alone so that a person cannot earn their way into Heaven by trying to be good or do good works; (5) Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth; (6) there is a personal responsibility to evangelize; and (7) God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world who still rules the universe today. It is puzzling that the death, burial, and physical bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is missing from these components, but possibly it is assumed in the fourth component.
[iii] My book can be purchased through the Christian Publisher Xulon Press: Author Steve Belsheim – Christian Publisher Xulon Press or through Amazon: The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth: Belsheim, Steve, Mangrum, Josh: 9781662828638: Amazon.com: Books.