Many unsolicited publications arrive in the mail; occasionally, one of them contains an article of interest, such as the recent one in One Kingdom (this is not a recommendation of that magazine). One of the writers calls attention to a recent survey done by George Barna that was given to “believers.” See how well you do in answering the following questions listed in Volume 3, Issue 2, of this year (2019).
1. Do absolute moral truths exist?
2. Is absolute truth defined by the Bible?
3. Did Jesus Christ live a sinless life?
4. Is God the all-powerful and all-knowing Creator of the universe and does He still rule it today?
5. Is salvation a gift from God that cannot be earned?
6. Is Satan real?
7. Does a Christian have a responsibility to share his or her faith in Christ with other people?
8. Is the Bible accurate in all of its teachings?
Does anyone have trouble answering yes to all eight questions? Consider each one. God gave to mankind the moral truths that exist. They are stated in both the Old and New Testaments. If anyone believes in God (and all should—Romans 1:18-20), then he cannot logically deny that all truth—including moral truth—comes from God. The Bible defines absolute truth. It has always been available (Pr. 23:23), and we need it to be saved (John 8:31-32).
How could anyone be a Christian and not believe that Jesus lived a sinless life—a fact declared by an inspired apostle (1 Peter 2:22)? Likewise, no one can deny the reality of Satan, as the Bible presents him. We have all seen too much of the damage he has done. The Bible is correct in describing both Jesus and Satan—and, in fact, all else. God’s nature has not changed, either. The Holy Spirit inspired the Word. If the Bible is not accurate in all of its teaching, then where is it wrong? And how will anyone determine what passages may be relied on and which ones are faulty? No way out of this dilemma exists.
No, we cannot merit salvation. And, yes, God expects us to be evangelistic. These propositions have been demonstrated time and again; it would be hard to imagine anyone who would deny them. Yet, according to the article, only 9% of the “believers” polled answered yes to all eight questions. Can anyone explain that result?