A Barna and Cultural Research Center study found that across major U.S. denominations, pastors who were more likely to embrace biblical principles were those from non-denominational and independent Protestant churches.
The study, which is a part of the American Worldview Inventory 2022 by Dr. George Barna and the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, also found that just 37 percent of Christian pastors have a biblical worldview.
Of the seven denominational groupings in the report, just one of the denominational groups had at least three out of every four pastors who said they held biblical views.
Among the other six groups, none had at least three of four pastors with biblical views.
According to the report, just 39 percent of evangelical pastors said there is no absolute moral truth, and each individual must determine their own truth. Just 38 percent said human life is sacred, and just 37 percent say having faith matters more than which faith you have.
Three out of every 20 said they do not believe their salvation is based on having confessed their sins and accepting Jesus Christ as their savior.
Of the 17 beliefs in the study, at least 75 percent of evangelical pastors said they agreed with four of those 17 beliefs.
The survey also found:
- Holiness churches and traditionally black denominations reported zero instances where at least three out of four pastors said they held biblical worldviews.
- Seventy percent of pastors associated with traditionally black congregations believed that reincarnation is possible.
- Just 34 percent of Catholics agreed that human life is sacred.
- One-third of senior pastors said they believe sexual relations between two unmarried people who believe they love each other is morally acceptable.
- One-third believe that moral truth is up to each individual.
- One-third believe that the Holy Spirit is not a living entity but a symbol of God’s power, presence, or purity.
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Amanda Casanova is a writer living in Dallas, Texas. She has covered news for ChristianHeadlines.com since 2014. She has also contributed to The Houston Chronicle, U.S. News and World Report and IBelieve.com. She blogs at The Migraine Runner.
