By TIM BARTO
We all have a lens through which we see the world; this is known as our worldview.
There is something remarkable going on in the United States: The trending worldview is non-Christian, even among Christians.
The Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview studies this topic in depth, and Senior Research Fellow George Barna conducted a major survey that looked at how Americans see the world. The results are quite fascinating, if not alarming.
Take a look at these basic findings:
- 51% of American adults think they have a Biblical worldview, when – according to their answers to the survey – only 6% actually do.
- Only 31% feel it’s very important for their religious faith to influence every aspect of their lives.
- Of those who consider themselves Christians, only 68% think they have a Biblical worldview, but only 9% provided answers that indicated they actually have a Biblical worldview.
So, the concern for American society is not just that society in general is non-Biblically based, but that even a majority of self-identified Christians do not see the world through the book on which their faith is based.
This probably comes as no surprise to those who witness our society crumbling on an almost daily basis. The line separating boys from girls, and men from women, is being blurred, dissipated, and mocked. Public school administrators and board members defend stocking library shelves with sexually explicit books. Parental rights are superseded by enlightened government officials. The number of sex partners one has is laughed away as a person’s “body count.”
And, of course, claiming a pre-born baby is worthy of respect and life is labeled “fascist” and part of the patriarchy that needs to be smashed.
The list goes on and reveals the fact that religion is decreasingly important in our country. As moral relativism increases, religious practice decreases. According to the American Survey Center, Gen Z is the least religious group of people in our country’s history, a strong indication that worldviews will continue to be more likely influenced by pop culture, Hollywood, and public educators. Gen Z is less influenced by church attendance and religious-based teaching.
According to David Closson, Director of the Center for Biblical Worldview, there is hope in these survey findings. For those who see themselves as having faith but whose worldviews are skewed by secular philosophies, Closson sees an opportunity to open their eyes to what the world actually looks like when viewed through the lens of the Good Book.
Closson and his colleague, Joseph Backholm, Senior Fellow with Biblical Worldview and Strategic Engagement, are so committed to teaching people –- including pastors and church leaders –- about Biblical worldview, that they are traveling the country doing so. They will be in Alaska next week; in Sterling on Oct. 29, Chugiak on Oct. 30, and Palmer on Oct. 31. If you’re interested in attending one of their presentations, visit Alaska Family Council.
Tim Barto is a regular contributor to Must Read Alaska, and vice president of Alaska Family Council.
