Ray is PCC’s Senior Pastor.

Friends,

One thing I’ve been struggling to wrap my brain around is how our culture has and continues to change. If we hope to impact the world around us, it seems logical to study, evaluate and come to grips with who people are and what they believe. For example, according to a recent poll by the Gallup organization, only a third of Americans believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and is to be accepted as a guide for life and behavior. Furthermore, one in five believe the Bible is simply a book of fables, legends and history concocted by man.

Gallup has asked Americans about their beliefs regarding the Bible nine times since 1991 and found their answers amazingly consistent. Prior to 1991, however, the belief in and respect for the Bible as God’s inspired Word was higher. According to current research, Protestants and other non-Roman Catholics are significantly more likely to believe the Bible is the literal Word of God than Roman Catholics. Interestingly enough, 10 percent of those with no religious affiliation still believe the Bible to be the literal Word of God, while 26 percent say it is “inspired.”

Obviously, people from all religious and non-religious traditions have opinions about the Bible – the best selling book of all time. Here is Gallup’s question and the results:

In your opinion, which best describes the Bible?

• • 31% – Actual word of God, to be taken literally
  • 47% – Inspired by God
  • 19% – Ancient fables, history, legends recorded by man

How does this information help us formulate some conclusions about cultural trends? Do you know what the people in your life [family, co-workers, classmates, neighbors, etc.] think and believe about the Bible? Do you know what you believe?

Just wondering about it all.

Ray