New Poll Finds Evangelicals’ Favorite Heresies

Survey finds many American evangelicals hold unorthodox views on the Trinity, salvation, and other doctrines.

ost American evangelicals hold views condemned as heretical by some of the most important councils of the early church.

A survey released today by LifeWay Research for Ligonier Ministries “reveals a significant level of theological confusion,” said Stephen Nichols, Ligonier’s chief academic officer. Many evangelicals do not have orthodox views about either God or humans, especially on questions of salvation and the Holy Spirit, he said.

Evangelicals did score high on several points. Nearly all believe that Jesus Christ rose from the dead (96%), and that salvation is found through Jesus alone (92%). Strong majorities said that God is sovereign over all people (89%) and that the Bible is the Word of God (88%).

And in some cases the problem seems to be uncertainty rather than heresy. For example, only 6 percent of evangelicals think the Book of Mormon is a revelation from God, but an additional 18 percent aren’t sure and think it might be. Read more

To those who believe that the Anglican Church in North America addresses the problem of erroneous beliefs with To Be A Christian: An Anglican Catechism, it must be pointed out that the new ACNA catechism actually contributes to that problem, directly stating or implying beliefs that are not consistent with the teaching of the Scriptures or the doctrine of the Anglican confessional formularies. Texts for Common Prayer and the proposed ACNA rites for the admission of catechumens, baptism, and confirmation likewise directly state or imply such beliefs.