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Course Corrections
A Sermon Series for When Beliefs Drift LifeWay Research in partnership with Ligonier Ministries released their 2020 State of Theology, a survey of evangelical belief. Theological belief directs our actions and our views of society as a whole. One's view of God determines their outlook on the future as well as their practical response to difficulties and personal responsibilities.
There are some areas of the survey that should not come as a surprise. Approximately 73% strongly agree that theology is important to those in the pew as well as those in the pulpit. Seventy-nine percent believe, to some degree, that God created male and female. |
But evangelicals seem less in agreement over some deeper theological beliefs that have generally unified rather than divided those across denominational lines; and this is what is surprising about the 2020 survey. While more than half hold to some form of the Trinity, there is confusion as to whether Jesus is included in this Tri-union and even less understanding about the Holy Spirit. A higher elevation about the goodness of man is even more surprising, which probably explains why many no longer believe that the Bible has the authority to tell them what to do.
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For the sake of this opinion piece, an evangelical can be defined as a person that believes salvation with God comes through personal faith in the incarnate work of Jesus, including his death, burial, and resurrection. It generally omits groups such as Catholics or others who hold to a sacramental or works-based salvation, even though they might use the same Scriptures and adhere to many evangelical positions.
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The same survey shared with members of Wilmont fairs a little better but still demonstrates some confusion. Our pastor is taking some time on Sunday mornings during our 10:30 a.m. worship service to address some of the questions on the survey from a biblical perspective hoping that a more consistent theological framework will build greater unity and sense of purpose in our church. Join us on Sunday mornings or listen online as we chart our Course Corrections, a sermon series for when beliefs drift.
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Our pastor practices text-driven preaching. We hope you bring a Bible, open it, and follow along as he works us through the substance, structure, and spirit of a passage each week.
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