BIBLE INSTITUTE
"...THAT THE MAN OF GOD
MAY BE FULLY EQUIPPED
FOR EVERY
GOOD WORK."
2 TIMOTHY 3:16-17
Crisis of Belief - the Loss of a Biblical Worldview
What is a biblical worldview, and why is it a crisis that only 37% of U.S. pastors still have one? A person has a biblical worldview when they embrace the position that God’s Word is inspired by the Holy Spirit and contains unchangeable Truth. When God’s Word is embraced as His Truth, Christians recognize the moral authority that it has to govern one’s life. Christians with a biblical worldview pattern their thoughts, lives, and perspectives around the Truth contained in Scripture.
Holding a biblical worldview informs one’s lifestyle, behaviors, relationships, morals, and character. It also impacts one’s personal view of purpose – the call on every Christian’s life to service.Â
The chart illustrates the tremendous loss of biblical integrity in every area of life and faith. Consider the categories and impact – only 13% of U.S. Catholic priests surveyed held a biblical worldview in regards to the Bible, truth, and morals. Only 27% of Holiness pastors embraced a biblical worldview in regards to sin. How can this be? Only 18% of Traditionally Black Protestant church pastors embraced a biblical worldview in regards to family and the value of life. Each of these categories and percentages identify the alarming loss of biblical truth and righteous behavior.
Barna’s research also confirmed the suspicion that larger churches are less likely to maintain a biblical worldview than smaller ones. When pastors don’t embrace the authority or miraculous transformative power of God’s Word in all areas of life and faith, Scripture is watered down to a feel good, self-help message that makes it palatable and attractive to larger numbers of people. Pastors and denominations make decisions to embrace social instead of biblical values. Can we afford the loss of a biblical worldview for the sake of large crowds?
When there is a breakdown in biblical worldview by those who are supposed to be teaching it to others, it creates a silent tsunami that destroys the faith of individuals, families, and churches. The ultimate impact of losing a biblical worldview is national loss of faith, which leads to the acceleration of societal decay.
How is it Possible to Make Such a Sweeping Claim About the Impact Losing a Biblical Worldview Has?
According to Pew Research Center, Christians in the US may become a minority group by 2070 if recent trends continue, according to newly released data.
Jesus addresses the cost of compromise directly:
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13 ESV
How Can We Prevent Decay When We Are Decaying Ourselves?
If you are concerned about the decay of your weary heart, your family’s condition, the turmoil in your town, city, nation, and world… it’s time to move back to embracing a biblical worldview – the authority of God’s Word in our own lives.
At the Fully Equipped Bible Institute, we are committed to maintaining a biblical worldview and training Christian leaders around the globe to do the same. Interested in high quality biblical leadership training? Enroll in an online course to be better equipped for every good work.
Interested in helping to provide scholarships for Christian leaders who are serving in difficult and dangerous places? Our current students serving in places like Nigeria, Uganda, and the Philippines are doing remarkable work in the face of incredible deprivation and difficulties. Just $50 a month provides a scholarship for a pastor or Christian leader. Find out more here.
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