1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Only 40% of Baptist believe Christ lived a sinless life.

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by Plain Old Bill, Feb 6, 2005.

  1. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2001
    Messages:
    8,462
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I have read "Think Like Jesus" and thought it was pretty good. It deals with worldviews.

    It has a few weaknesses IMO like any other human book.

    I happen to like statistics and polls so his approach appeals to me somewhat more.
     
  2. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2001
    Messages:
    8,462
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Sadly, there are probably more of these than we would like to think.
     
  3. OldRegular

    OldRegular Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2004
    Messages:
    22,678
    Likes Received:
    64
    I don't believe this either.
     
  4. IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    0
    No idea about that statistic. But it reminds me of another one I heard not too long ago (not sure if it came from Barna but I think so) that said 50-60% (or some large number like that) of Americans are Evangelical Christians. Those stats, if true, would have some correlation.

    Does the thought of 40% of professing Baptists denying the Deity of Christ surprise anybody? It actually sounds a little high but, if true, I tell you it wouldn't surprise me one bit. It would fit right in with the trend that I've been observing for some years now. And that's professing BAPTISTS. You can imagine what the number might be in other denominations and sectors.

    I have few original sayings but one is this: "Once the independent thinker has successfully attacked a truth of God's Word, it is only a matter of time before one of its foundational truths are deserted."

    'Thinkers' have been at this for over 150 years now full steam. And their opinions now dominate the many who let others think for them. Sad.

    [ February 07, 2005, 06:55 PM: Message edited by: IveyLeaguer ]
     
  5. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2002
    Messages:
    11,898
    Likes Received:
    4
    Now---let me lead into a question as to the "why's" of these stats being so

    Could it be---the reason being that the church members are "ignorant" to the theology?? We have churches that are "chargin'" through like a bull in a China shop---concerning preaching to the "felt needs" of the people and that preaching on the impeccability of the Lord Jesus Christ is not considered a "felt need??"

    Blackbird---who would rather preach the impeccability of the Lord Jesus any given Sunday over supposed "felt needs"----see??? Because if you never preach theology---as in impeccability of the Lord Jesus---etc.---the people will never get their needs met---which means that they leave the church house feeling "sorry-er" than they did when they came!!!
     
  6. Marcia

    Marcia Active Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2004
    Messages:
    11,139
    Likes Received:
    1
    I am not surprised at all. There have also been some polls (also by Barna, I think) a few years back that showed a large number of born-again evangelical Christians do not believe in absolute truth.

    We're going to see more of this kind of thinking in the church.
     
  7. Phillip

    Phillip <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Messages:
    6,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Preach on, Blackbird, Amen! ;)
     
  8. Phillip

    Phillip <b>Moderator</b>

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Messages:
    6,708
    Likes Received:
    0
    Obviously, there is something to it. In this very same debate area the "everlasting punishment of hell" was slammed by several Baptists that say we're "burned up once and for ever and its all over". If you don't believe me, start that debate again. You will be amazed at the number who don't believe hell is eternal.
     
  9. IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    0
    Yes, I think that's the main part of it in a nutshell. Of course 'felt needs', i.e., self-fulfillment, or human fulfillment is the trademark of the seeker-sensitive, purpose-driven movement, though cleverly disguised. Several years ago I did a word summary for my notes, here it is:

    Purpose-Driven/Seeker Sensitive = Biblical solutions to life circumstances ---&gt; emotional and psychological needs met ---&gt; personal (human) fullfillment ---&gt; SELF
    Gospel = Sin & Rebellion vs. God ---&gt; Holy Spirit/Repentance ---&gt; Regeneration ---&gt; Cross/Obedience/Consecration/Deny Self ---&gt; Walk In SPIRIT

    Maybe that's not precisely accurate and some will no doubt quarrel with the timing but I think that pretty much sums up the major battle of the day with regard to what's going on in the United States.

    But it's not limited to just the church-growth movement. When is the last time you heard major orthodox figures, Baptist and otherwise, talking about individual purpose, planning, success, relationships, etc., etc., etc..? And relating it to scripture. It can't be all that bad, can it? But, behold, isn't Dr. Phil talking about exactly the same things?

    I think you have a major point there, Blackbird. Keep preaching the gospel to whomever will hear it.
     
  10. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2003
    Messages:
    3,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    Amen Blackbird! You keep preaching it!
    I think there lies the problem our preachers are not preaching and teaching Bible doctrine anymore.I believe in the bottom of my heart that Bible doctrines should be preached and taught over and over until they are driven home and understood in the heart and in the head.
    At a minimum the major Bible doctrines should be taught to a new believer's class.I believe so strongly in Bible doctrine and theology I am on my sixth book in less than a year and have 5 or 6 more to go at least.But that's just me.
     
  11. Scott J

    Scott J Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2001
    Messages:
    8,462
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    This generally agrees with Barna's conclusion in the book I read.

    BTW, he used a series of basic questions that I will post when I have access to them to establish whether someone has a biblical worldview. Less than 10% of Americans answered 7 basic questions correctly. He then correlated the biblical worldview to behavior. There were remarkable differences on matters such as culture, pornography, homosexual acceptance, basic honesty, fornication, co-habitation, divorce, etc.
     
  12. iride4jesus

    iride4jesus New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2005
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    I would have to say that these folks have been taught more about doctrine of the church than of Biblical truths. I would believe 100% of all is the only answer if they truly are Christians.

    40% of Baptist believe Christ lived a sinless life.
    65% believe there is a devil.
    Only 22% believe in personal witnessing.
     
  13. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2002
    Messages:
    11,898
    Likes Received:
    4
    But you see??? The doctrines of the church ARE the Biblical truths set before us in the word from the Word----Titus 2:1 says, "But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine."

    The Church is in a dangerous state of affairs when it leaves doctrine of Scripture---to concentrate on "self" doctrine---the doctrine of self glorification-----I am afraid that what the world is seeing is churches teaching the doctrines of Babel----"Let US make brick . . . and let US build US a city and a tower . . . and let US make US a name."---Genesis 11:3-4

    Never before have I ran into so many church people who want their "needs" met instead of busying themselves that they may "know Him(Jesus) and the power of HIS resurrection, and the fellowship of HIS sufferings.

    Bro. David
     
  14. IveyLeaguer

    IveyLeaguer New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2004
    Messages:
    666
    Likes Received:
    0
    Bro. David,

    I researched this thoroughly several years ago and have been watching closely. Unfortunately, what you are seeing may be only the beginning.
     
  15. Soulman

    Soulman New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2004
    Messages:
    1,088
    Likes Received:
    0
    40% of Baptist believe Christ lived a sinless life.
    65% believe there is a devil.
    Only 22% believe in personal witnessing.

    The balance of those numbers are those that will be sitting in the pew looking at empty suits wondering why they were left behind.

    If you don't believe Jesus is who He says He is, you can't have Him!
     
  16. richard n koustas

    richard n koustas New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Messages:
    443
    Likes Received:
    0
    After going to a baptist church for a few months now, i'm not surprized by these statistics (in the OP). this may explain why less that 5% of [male members] show up for the mid-week men's bible study. of the group that regularly attend the bible study, the numbers are probably close to 100%.
     
  17. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2003
    Messages:
    3,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    Richard I noticed in your bio you attend an American Baptist church. I can't say that it holds true for all American Baptist curches but the one I went to was not very evangelistic and the preaching was weak so I never did join that church.What is your experience where you are?
     
  18. richard n koustas

    richard n koustas New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 20, 2004
    Messages:
    443
    Likes Received:
    0
    similar, i'll email you off-line...
     
  19. Plain Old Bill

    Plain Old Bill New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2003
    Messages:
    3,657
    Likes Received:
    0
    I just sent you an e-mail msg.
     
  20. dcorbett

    dcorbett Active Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2003
    Messages:
    3,414
    Likes Received:
    1
    Faith:
    Baptist
    What we need is a spiritual awakening in this sinful world. And who is going to spread the gospel? Born again Believers who KNOW that Jesus lived a sinless life and died for our sins - believers who KNOW that Jesus commissioned us to "Go ye Therefore" and that means each and every one of us!

    I challange everyone in this forum to witness to at least one lost person this week. You will be surprised at what joy it will bring to you!

    Debbie C
     
Loading...