Sound The Trumpet : Surprising Results from Bible Belief Poll

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“Surprising Results from Bible Belief Poll”
by Prophecy New Watch
August 25th, 2014

Non-Christians obviously don’t believe in the Bible – or they likely wouldn’t remain non-Christians, but would instead embrace the teachings in the Bible and become followers of Jesus Christ. This general perception seems logical enough, therefore it is quite surprising that findings from the 2014 Gallup Value and Beliefs poll actually suggest otherwise. The poll respondents comprised both Christians and non-Christians.

According to a recent report by Krista Burdine published in the World Religious News.com: “Each year the Gallup poll asks, “Which of the following statements comes closest to describing your views about the Bible?” As usual, about 75% of respondents believe it is the word of God, while 21% think it is a collection of fables. But an additional answer option this year for half the surveyed group strengthened and changed the composition of the group that believes the Bible is the word of God.” The survey has a margin of error of 5%, and taking this into account, results were as follows for the first (Form A) version:

• 28% believe that the Bible is the actual Word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word.
• 47% believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally.
• 21% believe that the Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.

The second or ‘Form B’ version of the survey kept these options and added a fourth, with the following results:

• 22% believe that the Bible is the actual Word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word.
• 28% believe that the Bible is the actual Word of God but multiple interpretations are possible.
• 28% believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God but not everything in it should be taken literally.
• 18% believe that the Bible is an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man.

The impact of adding the additional fourth “multiple interpretations” option was a resonation with 31% of respondents, nearly a third. Reasons for this vary and several opinions have been offered by Burdine as follows:

• It seems to confirm the sense that American culture has become more openly pluralistic. John MacArthur, megachurch pastor and bestselling author, finds this revealing of a shift in Christian culture, claiming there is little threat to believing in the Bible as God’s Word as long as one can reserve the right of refusal and claim a misinterpretation when that Word challenges our desires.
• Another more encouraging perspective is that a greater percentage of respondents were able to attribute the Bible to God as opposed to a completely man-made collection of fables.
• Some of the Christians polled may have understood the Bible to be composed of various types of literature with parts to be taken literally while others such as proverbs and parables are to be considered allegorical or merely illustrative.
• The possibility exists that perhaps the same percentage of respondents felt the same way on Form A, but did not have a choice that best described their opinion. In this case, the survey may rather merely reflect the improved accuracy of the poll.
• It seems that non-Christians prefer to think of the Bible as a divine book that is open to interpretation, than to say it’s a true book with some non-literal content.
•About 6% of non-Christians do believe in the Bible as the literal Word of God. When examining the demographics of non-Christian literalists further, this group generally has no religious upbringing or affiliation, yet they believe in the existence of God.

They tend to be non-white, second generation Americans with less education than average, and politically liberal. Burdine concludes: “if anything, this sounds like a group disillusioned with what they have seen of religion in America, who have not found themselves compelled by what they have seen to seek out the God who literally wrote the book.”

Another potential factor that was not listed could be that Protestantism is dogged by much denominational bias, hence Christians across various denominations tend to assume that multiple Biblical interpretations are possible - just as long as core/foundational Biblical tenets of faith such as the fall of man and the redemption purchased for man by Jesus Christ are not compromised.

The question also arises as to whether this confusion is really necessary amongst Christian believers. Does the Bible itself have verses that will point us to the correct and exact interpretation of what we should believe about it? Consider this:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).

This one scripture alone confirms that the Bible is indeed the actual and inspired word of God. It also debunks the myth, believed by an astonishing 10% of professing Christians, that the Bible is just an ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man. If this group of people ignore the authority of the holy scriptures and dismiss them in exchange for what is clearly an–age old satanic deception that has led multitudes to hell, on what basis are they calling themselves Christians rather than agnostics or even atheists? No wonder Burdine asks: “Maybe next time, someone can explain how 10% of people who identify as Christian also see the Bible as a collection of fairy tales, or manage to have no opinion on the matter.”

Just as interesting and adding to the paradox is the 6% of non-Christians who do believe in the Bible as the literal Word of God. They may fit a certain profile or demographic but in both cases of “Christian non- believers” and “non-Christian believers” perhaps another poll would really be useful in asking them why they believe as they do – assuming that they themselves even understand why.

Based on 2 Timothy 3:16, we can however safely move away from the cut-and-dried onto the slightly grayer areas: Yes the Bible is the actual Word of God but is to be taken literally, word for word? Certainly in some cases but not all, depending on the context in which each particular scripture was written. Consider these examples:

And put a knife to thy throat, if you are a man given to appetite (Proverbs 23:2).

If your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into the everlasting fire (Matthew 18:8).

It is also critical to note that whereas the interpretation of the scriptures is not always literal, its meaning still has a relevant application or principle as there is nothing irrelevant or insignificant in the Bible:

For assuredly I say to you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law, till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:18-19).

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4).

And yes the Bible is the actual Word of God but are multiple interpretations still possible? Certainly. There is no shortage of denominations and other forms of doctrinal divisions that are proof of this, ranging from such controversial topics as the role of women in the church today, the role of the Holy Spirit and whether or not the rapture will be pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation, post tribulation. So perhaps the further question that needs to be asked is, although multiple interpretations of the scriptures are not only possible but prevalent, did God intend it to be that way? Hardly: the Bible categorically states that God is not the author of confusion (1Corinthians 14:33) so it must be that any interpretations of scripture that are contradictory or irreconcilable, point to errors in the understanding of the scriptures. No wonder the scriptures admonish:

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worer who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth(2 Timothy 2:15).

This will be the third time I am coming to you. By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established (2 Corinthians 13:1)

Perhaps the failure of so many Christians to read the Bible whilst ensuring that every doctrine based on the scriptures is supported at least twice or thrice elsewhere within the Bible , is most responsible for the multiple interpretations in the church today. The natural outcomes of this are evidenced in the kind of poll results that reflect so much ignorance about the authority and relevance of the Bible within the body of Christ, and how it is to be understood and applied. How should we correct this? In part, we would do well to take some advice from David the Psalmist:

O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day. You, through your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts (Psalms 119: 97-100).

Looking for His glorious appearing! Titus 2:13