Ligonier research: How much do people today know about God?

‘I don’t know’: state of UK popular theology revealed
by Humphrey Dobson, Senior Research Analyst, Ligonier

How much do people in Britain today know about God, the Bible, or Jesus Christ?

And what about within the church – do evangelicals think clearly about theological issues, or does confusion abound? The State of Theology survey, commissioned by Ligonier Ministries, has uncovered what people in the UK are actually thinking.

Earlier this year, ComRes interviewed over 2,000 adults online across the United Kingdom. ComRes also surveyed 500 practising Christians, from which they obtained a sample of UK evangelicals. Ligonier Ministries President, Chris Larson, said: ‘We did The State of Theology survey to support local churches in the United Kingdom. To our knowledge, it is the most detailed study of its kind to date. It clearly demonstrates the need for more gospel ministry and crystallises the challenges Christians are facing.’

British Evangelicals

Surprisingly, between 2% and 3% of the UK population were identified as ‘evangelicals’, totalling as many as 2 million people. ‘Evangelicals’ affirmed their belief in the Bible, evangelism, and salvation by the cross of Christ alone. Some 90% agreed that justification is by faith alone, not by works. Yet the survey found two key areas of confusion amongst evangelicals: Who is Jesus? And who is the Holy Spirit?

Although 93% of UK evangelicals said that there is one God in three persons, 74% of evangelicals also agreed, and only 24% disagreed, that ‘Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God’. This is an Arian heresy refuted in the early centuries of the Christian church. The Son of God is eternal. He was not created by the Father. The Son of God is the Word who became flesh.

There was similar misunderstanding about the third Person of the Trinity. 55% agreed, and 40% disagreed, that ‘The Holy Spirit is a force but is not a personal being’. So a majority of evangelicals regard the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force, more like Star Wars religion than Scripture.

A majority of evangelicals regard the Holy Spirit as an impersonal force, more like Star Wars religion than Scripture.

The State of Theology survey also demonstrated the stark difference between the ethical beliefs of UK evangelicals and those of the population as a whole. It illustrates the pressure faithful Christians face in Britain today, where socially liberal ideas dominate national life. 85% of evangelicals agree that abortion is a sin. 87% of evangelicals agree that sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin. 67% of UK adults say that abortion is not a sin. 74% of UK adults say that sex outside of traditional marriage is not a sin.

British non Christians

Overall, The State of Theology survey confirmed that the UK is a great mission field for the Gospel. It appears that theological ignorance rather than theological hostility rules. Indeed, around a third of people simply replied ‘I don’t know’ to most of theological questions asked.

For example:

‘There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit’. 30% agree, 38% disagree, 31% don’t know. ‘Biblical accounts of the physical (bodily) resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. This event actually occurred.’ 21% agree, 46% disagree, 33% don’t know.

At the same time, the survey reveals that around two-thirds of the British population reject the Bible’s authority. Nevertheless, given the widespread lack of awareness of Christian beliefs, it is likely that many people who reject the authority of the Bible have never seriously considered its testimony.

‘The Bible has the authority to tell us what we must do.’ 16% agree, 64% disagree

The State of Theology survey confirmed that the UK is a great mission field for the Gospel.

Christians may be encouraged that the British public strongly support freedom of speech, with very few people wanting Christians to keep quiet in the public square.

‘Christians should be silent on issues of politics.’ 18% agree, 57% disagree

Conclusion

The State of Theology survey shows that the ongoing gospel ministry of local churches is vital, and that there is much opportunity amongst the typical ‘I don’t know’ non-Christian. Churches need, however, to keep equipping their members theologically. We cannot afford to ignore the importance of Systematic Theology. Chris Larson commented: ‘We want to make this comprehensive report as widely available as possible. Our new website – TheStateOfTheology.co.uk – has been set up for this purpose. Ligonier prays for faithful churches in the UK. We exist to serve the local church by providing trustworthy resources, which open up the truth of God’s Word to a wide audience.’

This article was first published in the November 2018 edition of Evangelicals Now