Polling data has revealed a trend indicating that “America is not a Christian nation.”¹ Although a large majority of Americans outwardly claim to be Christian, their inward beliefs are actually non-Christian. Why is this so?

Classic Christianity is based on certain fundamental doctrines that are clearly taught in the Bible, such as the universality of sin, the universality of access to the Savior, and the exclusivity of that Savior.² But apparently, many of those who call themselves Christians deny that Jesus Christ is the only Savior.

Newsweek reported, “According to a 2008 Pew Forum survey, 65 percent of us believe that ‘many religions can lead to eternal life,’” but “76 percent of us continue to identify as Christian.”¹ What kind of “Christianity” denies the very Christ for whom it is named?

The Bible speaks of a future time when “there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.”³ One opposing doctrine is reincarnation, which denies the resurrection in favor of a belief that human souls (immaterial essences) endlessly recycle into and out of this world. And, “24 percent of Americans say they believe in reincarnation, according to a 2008 Harris poll.”¹

What has led to this weakening of belief in biblical truth? In order for people to move away from classical Christianity, they must come to believe in something other than what the Bible teaches. And this is exactly what evolutionary doctrines accomplish.

For example, evolution has its own history that is incompatible with the history revealed in the Bible. One declares that the universe is the result of undirected natural forces, while the other teaches that all things were created for a purpose by an infinite Creator.

Evolution also promotes a doctrine of infinite plasticity among living forms, such that all creatures of today emerged from a single creature long ago. In contrast, the Bible teaches that all creatures were made to reproduce in the likeness of their same basic body plans.

Biblical doctrines and the broad doctrines of evolution are mutually exclusive. In order to accept evolution, biblical truth must be denied. There is little doubt that a century of dogmatic indoctrination of evolutionary tenets through public schools, universities, and other means has been accomplishing just that in the lives and hearts of Americans.

Since the publication of Darwin’s book 150 years ago, evolution has encouraged people all over the world to reject the Bible. So, it’s not surprising that many Americans no longer believe what it says, even though they retain the “Christian” label simply as a link to their heritage. Those who will not accept the truth are condemned to believe a lie.

References

1. Miller, L. We Are All Hindus Now. Newsweek. Posted online ahead of print August 15, 2009, accessed August 19, 2009.
2. The availability and exclusivity of Jesus as Savior is expressed, for example, in 1 John 5:11: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”
3. Acts 24:15.

* Mr. Thomas is Science Writer at the Institute for Creation Research.

Article posted on August 28, 2009.