However, significant percentages of theologically born-again people still hold to unbiblical beliefs. Fifty-one percent of theologically born-again Christians say that all faiths are equal. Forty percent say there is no absolute truth, and 37% say that people can earn their way to heaven by being good enough. So while people who meet the criteria of being born again in their theology are much more likely to hold biblical beliefs, only 19% have a biblical worldview.
Only six percent of all American adults, or 15 million people, actually have what Barna calls a biblical worldview. Over 99% of these “integrated disciples” believe that the Bible is accurate and reliable, over 99% say they actively avoid sinning, and 88% say that God has a reason for everything. Only five percent believe that they can earn their way to heaven by being good enough, and 9% say that all faiths are equal.
Even so, “shockingly large” minorities of integrated disciples still hold to unbiblical beliefs. Twenty-five percent say there is no absolute truth, 39% do not believe that the Holy Spirit is an actual personal being, and 52% believe that people are basically good.
Barna concluded the summary of its research with strong words of exhortation, noting the words of Jesus in Matthew 7 that many of those who say they are his followers will not be received into heaven because they do not actually obey him. He added, “The survey results clearly demonstrate how careful you have to be when interpreting data associated with a particular segment of people who are labeled as Christians. Political polling, in particular, may mislead people regarding the views and preferences of genuine Christ-followers simply based on how those surveys measure the Christian population.”
