What Do We Do With the Data?
A recent report from the Barna Group came in my overflowing email “box” the other day. I gave each slide a quick glance. Afterward, reflecting on the data in the report, I wondered if people really cared where we, as a people, are today regarding our faith. It’s almost like a piece of clothing, our faith is. We toss it to the floor or it hangs in our closet until it’s fashionable to wear or display it again.
Later on, I reopened the report. For various reasons. First, as a Sunday school teacher of Gen Zers, I wanted to see what I’m up against. It wasn’t the first time I had seen such disappointing numbers and, unfortunately, it probably won’t be the last. So, I wanted to know how to tailor the lessons I teach. Second, I’m an engineer, so analysis of data interests me.
So, as I usually do, I went back a few hours later to the first page of data and began dissecting it. The title of the report, by the way, is “Five Insights - Faith Trends Among Non-Christians Today.” There are several eye-catching words here in the title: insights, faith, trends, and non-Christians. The words “faith” and “trends” are somewhat interlocking, but which one comes first. Does someone’s faith dictate the trends or vice versa?
In the first slide, we see that of the five listed generations (going back to “Elders”), Gen Z has the lowest percentage of those identifying as Christians (56%). Following closely in second are the parents of the Gen Zers, the Millennials, at 63%. Now, let’s find out which generation has the highest number of those identifying as “No Faith.” The Gen Z group takes the prize with 25% saying they are in this group. It also appears that this generation has the largest share of “atheists.” So the trends go like this:
- A downward trend, from the Elders to Gen Z, who identify as “Christians.”
- An upward trend, from the Elders to Gen Z, who identify as “No Faith.”
These are two trends I can’t get excited about.
Now let’s go to the next slide titled “Markers of Spiritual Openness.” The group who made up this data are those who identify as “No Faith.” As I looked at the data on this page, I thought there is hope (yes, a glass half full type of outlook). The top three responses to the question “If any, which would you use to describe yourself spiritually?” were:
Open (26%)
Growing (25%)
Curious (25%)
The following slide “Top Causes for Doubt” was a poll of those who identify as “Other Faith” or “No Faith.” Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but let’s look at responses given for reasons for doubt.
- Hypocrisy of religious people; this was the number one response for both those of “other faith” and those of “no faith.” This excuse has been used as far back as I remember. Is it in the church. Yes. Is it elsewhere? Yes. We are all hypocrites at one time or another. Allen Faulton wrote a good article “We’re All Hypocrites, It’s Just a Matter of Scale.” In the article, Faulton makes the case that “it’s unavoidable.” Don’t let this excuse stop you on your path of going to church and living the life Jesus wants you to live. Paul says in Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
- The second cause of doubt for those of “other faith” is human suffering (it is the third cause of doubt for those with “no faith”). Jesus is looking for us to help with human suffering around the world. There are several good charities that are doing just that - to feed the hungry, to take care of the elderly, to help children attend school, etc. Let’s all help out that way.
- The second cause of doubt for those identifying as “no faith” is science. A good book to read that would help this group discern the real role of science is Six Days by Ken Ham. He has devoted chapter three to “What is Science?” This would be a good start in dispelling secularists’ viewpoint in this area.
- The third highest response from those in the “other faith” category list “conflict in the world” as that which causes doubt about Christian beliefs. There has been conflict in the world since the days following Creation. God has given us free will to choose between His peaceful loving ways and the evil of Satan. Jesus says this in John 8:44:
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is not truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
The Modern War Institute at West Point published an article in 2022 regarding wars, “The Five Reasons Wars Happen.” Keep in mind John 8:44 (see above) as we look at these reasons:
1. Unaccountability - while the author focuses on Putin, history will show that even in the western world that supposedly has checks and balances in place, some leaders have skirted their way around such.
2. Ideology - again, the focus is on Putin, but any leader’s ideology that doesn’t truly address justice for all, displaying contempt toward certain others, including Christians, has the potential to create conflict. One area where one’s wrongful ideology impacts society is that of abortion or child trafficking - both abhorrent of which God will not tolerate.
3. Bias - the author makes a valid point in saying that “we demonize and misjudge our opponents. It is a misguided step in viewing others. It gives rise to hatred which God deplores. (God told Moses in Leviticus 19:17-18 “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.”
4. Uncertainty - leaders “focus on bias and misperception.” Again, this is not a godly act.
5. Unreliabiity - the pursuit of power and all that comes with it drives those leaders used to such to not reach out to rising powers.
God does not approve of conflict. Jesus tells us to love our neighbor. In fact, He says in Luke 6:27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” We do not have to conform to the world that seeks conflict. Paul says in Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world…”We should ignore the face of evil that tries to penetrate our lives.
From YouVersion is this: “We have hope in God Himself as King Jesus, the incorruptible one who rules with love and uses His power not to coerce or destroy people but to heal each of us and set us free. We all can find peace in Christ alone.” Jesus says in John 14:27:
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
As many have pointed out, the Lord has never promised any of us an easy life. He has never said that we won’t experience troubles or hardships. However, Deuteronomy 31:6 tells us that God “will not leave you or forsake you.” We are not alone in today’s turmoils. But we can find peace in the Lord knowing He is present with us through the peaks and the valleys of life.
As for hope, I can’t imagine not having such in the Lord. Where else is one to find hope other than the Lord! If we put hope in man, we will be disappointed. The Apostle Paul, who loved the Lord, says in 2 Corinthians 4:18 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” A great example of hope can be found in Acts 16:16-40 in which both Paul and Silas are imprisoned. But their hope in Christ did not fade. At midnight, they were both “praying and singing hymns to God” while in a prison cell. Soon a massive earthquake happened, no doubt causing considerable damage to the prison they were in. As a result, the chains on the prisoners came loose.
Perhaps with this and other data sadly pointing many away from Christianity, we should take in Pastor John MacArthur words at the end of his book The Gospel According to Paul:
“Are you wise? This is more worthy that your wisdom. Are you rich? This is worthier than all your worth. Are you famous? This is worthier than all your honor. Are you princely? This is worthier than your ancestry or your goodly heritage. The gospel is the worthiest thing under heaven, because it will last when all other things fade away. It will stand by you when you have to stand alone. In the hour of death it will plead for you when you have to answer the summons of justice at God’s bar. And it shall be your eternal consolation through never-ending ages. It is ‘worthy of all acceptance.’”
“What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
Mark 8:36
Come to Christ……..