Last week, Pew Research published a report that shows American attitudes toward religion in public life are changing. Currently, 59% of U.S. adults view religion’s influence on American life positively — a 10-point increase from 2022 — while 29% view it negatively. However, even as church attendance and other markers of religiosity are on the rise, another report released earlier this month indicates a decline in the number of churchgoing Americans holding biblical beliefs.

On October 13, Family Research Council’s Center for Biblical Worldview (CBW), in partnership with the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, released the findings of a national report titled “Social Issues and Worldview.” The report provides insight into the theological, cultural, and political beliefs of America’s churchgoers and indicates areas of teaching that pastors and disciple-makers can prioritize to reverse the decline in biblical beliefs.

In 2023, researcher George Barna identified seven cornerstones of a biblical worldview. He and the Cultural Research Center found that “more than 80% of adults who embrace these seven basic biblical teachings hold a biblical worldview.” Also in 2023, the CBW reported that many Christians have a weak understanding of these doctrines. Unfortunately, the CBW’s new 2025 report indicates that this understanding has declined even further.

Cornerstone #1: Doctrine of God

In his book “The Knowledge of the Holy,” renowned 20th-century Christian author A.W. Tozer wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Sadly, nearly 40% of churchgoers do not form their thoughts about God based on what the Bible teaches. Instead, they rely on a variety of unbiblical ideas, including ones derived from mysticism, polytheism, and pantheism.

When asked which description of God comes closest to what they personally believe, 61% of respondents chose the orthodox view that God is the “all powerful, all-knowing, perfect, loving and just Creator of the universe who rules that universe today.” This represents a seven-point drop since 2023. Meanwhile, 17% chose to define God as “the total realization of personal, human potential or a state of higher consciousness that a person may reach” (characteristic of New Age/Eastern mysticism); 11% said “a higher power may exist, but nobody really knows for certain” (characteristic of agnosticism); 4% said “there are many gods, each with different purposes or authority” (characteristic of polytheism); 3% said “everyone is a god” (characteristic of pantheism); and 5% said they do not know what they believe about God.

Advice for pastors and teachers: Emphasize attributes of God, including His omniscience (e.g., Hebrews 4:13, 1 John 3:20), omnipotence (Isaiah 40:12-14), and omnipresence (Psalm 139:7-10; Jeremiah 23:23-24). Also, highlight His work in creation (Genesis 1, Psalm 115:3). Remind people that these characteristics are not merely academic or abstract facts; they represent the true nature of God, who has revealed Himself in Scripture. Our goal ought to be knowing God as He truly is: personal, loving, all-powerful, and ever-present. Having an accurate understanding of God shapes every aspect of our faith, from how we worship to how we live in obedience and trust.

Cornerstone #2: Doctrine of Sin

Only 31% of respondents hold an orthodox view of the doctrine of sin, a 10-point drop from 2023. An equivalent number (32%) believe that “people are neither good or bad when they are born but become either good or bad through their accumulated life choices” (characteristic of secular humanism). Additionally, 10% believe that “people were originally good but have become corrupted by society” (characteristic of Marxism), and 15% believe that “everyone is a divine creature engaged in the eternal pursuit of unity and a perfected consciousness” (characteristic of Eastern mysticism).

The fact that churchgoers are confused about the doctrine of sin is striking, given how often and clearly the Bible speaks on the topic. For example, the apostle Paul explained how, as humanity’s representative, Adam’s sin was passed down to his descendants: “Sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12). Paul also said, “[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23a).

Advice for pastors and teachers: Teach the doctrine of sin clearly and consistently, helping people understand that it is not simply a set of bad choices but a condition of the heart that all of humanity has inherited from Adam. Emphasize that properly understanding sin is essential for understanding salvation — those who do not acknowledge their sin will never realize their need for a Savior. Help people grasp the seriousness of sin’s consequences (Ephesians 2:1-3) and the hope of forgiveness found only in Christ (1 John 1:9). Teaching about sin should always lead to the good news of grace; remind your listeners that although sin separates us from God, Christ reconciles and restores.

Cornerstone #3: Doctrine of Salvation

Only 36% of respondents believe they will go to heaven because they have confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as Savior, an 11-point drop from 2023. Meanwhile, 14% believe they will go to heaven because “God loves all people and will not let you perish,” 12% believe they will go to a place of purification before entering heaven, 11% believe they will go to heaven because they worked hard to be a good enough person to earn that reward, 7% believe in reincarnation, and another 7% said they do not believe there is life after death (physically or spiritually). Finally, 7% admitted they do not know what will happen to them after they die.

The Bible offers hope to the perishing. Hours before His arrest, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). The apostle Paul wrote, “[I]f you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9) and “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

Advice for pastors and teachers: Proclaim these truths clearly and confidently. Many churchgoers misunderstand salvation because they have never been taught what it means to be saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. Make the gospel the center of your church’s preaching, discipleship, and counseling ministries. Emphasize that salvation cannot be earned through good deeds, religious rituals, or universal love; rather, it is a gift received through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Help believers develop assurance that is grounded not in their feelings or performance but in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Urge unbelievers to turn from sin and place their trust in the Savior, who alone gives eternal life.

Cornerstone #4: Doctrine of Scripture

Only 54% of respondents believe the Bible is either “the actual true word of God that should be taken literally, word for word” or “the inspired word of God that has no errors, although some verses are meant to be symbolic rather than literal” (both orthodox perspectives). This represents a 12-point drop from 2023. Incredibly, 16% believe the Bible is just “one of many holy books that provide religious teaching,” 15% believe it is the “inspired word of God but with some factual or historical errors,” and 7% believe the Bible is “a widely read and influential text that has religious content but is not divinely inspired.” Another 6% did not choose any of the options.

Notably, the Bible itself teaches that it is the inspired word of God. The apostle Paul wrote, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The apostle Peter referred to Paul’s writings as “Scripture” (2 Peter 3:15-16). Additionally, Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” In other words, the Bible claims to be true. Of course, the mere assertion of truth is not self-proving, but the Bible’s remarkable consistency and coherence, the fulfillment of hundreds of specific prophecies, and what author Lydia McGrew has called “undesigned coincidences” strengthen its internal claims of truthfulness.

Advice for pastors and teachers: The Bible must be central to the church’s teaching ministry. Practically, this means preaching should be mostly expositional (i.e., going through the Bible verse by verse, explaining and applying God’s word in its context). During corporate worship, the public reading of Scripture should hold a prominent place, reminding congregations that God’s word governs both our worship and our lives.

It is also a good idea to encourage people to read and meditate on the same Bible passage that will be preached the following week. This allows the congregation to prepare their hearts to receive the message together. Promote inductive Bible study methods that train people to observe, interpret, and apply Scripture in their own lives. Beyond Sunday morning, urge small groups to center their discussions on books of the Bible rather than primarily topical materials. As God’s people are regularly and deeply exposed to His word, their understanding of truth will deepen, their discernment will sharpen, and their love for Christ will flourish.

Cornerstone #5: Absolute Moral Truth

Nearly half of respondents (49%) agreed with the statement, “There are no moral absolutes that apply to everyone, all the time; moral truth is up to each individual.” Only 40% disagreed, and 11% said they were unsure. These numbers are nearly identical to the 2023 findings.

In today’s culture, it has become common to hear people say, “Live your truth.” The idea of “your truth” or “my truth” dominates popular thinking, so it is not surprising that almost half of churchgoers deny the existence of moral absolutes. This is the cultural air we breathe. But when moral absolutes are rejected, what remains is moral relativism, or the belief that right and wrong are determined by personal preference rather than objective truth. In such a framework, “evil” becomes nothing more than a label for what we dislike, and moral judgments lose any real meaning.

By contrast, a biblical worldview affirms that good and evil truly exist and that moral truth is grounded in the unchanging character of God. Scripture presents a universe ordered by God’s design, where His commands define what is right and wrong.

Advice for pastors and teachers: Help people understand that when we speak of good and evil, we are not just expressing opinions; we are describing reality itself. God’s moral order is not arbitrary; it is woven into the fabric of creation. Highlight how God’s commands reveal what is objectively good, right, and beautiful. Contrast God’s standards with the self-defined morality of expressive individualism. Encourage your congregation to build their convictions on the Bible rather than emotion, majority opinion, or shifting cultural values.

Cornerstone #6: Life’s Purpose

Only 37% of respondents agreed that the general purpose of life for all people, regardless of culture, is “knowing, loving, and serving God with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.” This represents a sharp decline from 53% in 2023.

Other responses were more evenly spread: 14% said life’s purpose is to “create a more humane society through reason, dialogue, and goodwill”; 12% chose “experiencing happiness and fulfillment”; 11% said “bringing order and direction to your own life, based on what matters to you”; 9% selected “experiencing total fulfillment through relationships and productivity”; and 8% said “advancing world peace and understanding.” Another 7% selected none of these options.

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This truth is reflected in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, which asks, “What is the chief end of man?” and answers, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.”

Sadly, many churchgoers no longer understand life’s purpose in biblical terms. Rather than viewing their existence as centered on glorifying and enjoying God, growing numbers are adopting secular definitions of purpose focused on personal fulfillment, productivity, or social progress.

Advice for pastors and teachers: Help people understand that our purpose in life must be grounded in what God says about us, not in the shifting values of culture. In every generation, people search for meaning, but the Bible teaches that true purpose is found only in knowing, loving, and serving the God who created us. Regularly remind your congregation that we exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever, not to pursue comfort, achievement, or self-fulfillment as ends in themselves.

Connect everyday decisions — about work, relationships, and goals — to the larger purpose of honoring God. Show how the gospel reorders our desires, redirecting them from self-centered ambitions to God-centered worship. Encourage believers to view every vocation, task, and season of life as an opportunity to serve Christ. Finally, model this truth personally by displaying joy and contentment rooted in God’s glory, not in worldly success.

Cornerstone #7: Definition of Success

Only 25% of respondents defined success as “consistent obedience to God,” a 14-point decrease from 2023.

The alternative views on success were a mix of secular and spiritual worldviews: 18% said “being a good person” (characteristic of moralistic therapeutic deism); 13% said “living a healthy and productive life, free from economic oppression” (characteristic of Marxism); 10% said “experiencing personal happiness or freedom” (characteristic of postmodernism); 9% said “achieving your highest level of consciousness and unity with the universe” (characteristic of Eastern mysticism); 7% said “fulfilling your potential through intellect and science” (characteristic of secular humanism); and 7% said “raising healthy and successful children” (characteristic of secular education). Another 8% said they were unsure how to define success.

The Bible is clear that true success is not measured by personal happiness, productivity, or social achievement, but by faithful, consistent obedience to God (Deuteronomy 10:12, Micah 6:8, Colossians 1:16). Unfortunately. many churchgoers have absorbed the world’s definitions of success.

Advice for pastors and teachers: Help people understand that every aspect of life — including work, family, service, and worship — exists ultimately for the glory of God. According to the Bible, success is not measured in achievements, recognition, or comfort but in faithfulness and obedience to God’s commands. Emphasize that God values steadfast character and holiness more than worldly accomplishment.

Conclusion

The 2025 CBW report contains some encouraging findings related to religious freedom, family, and support for Israel. However, the breakdown of the seven cornerstones is deeply concerning. Across every major theological category, affirmation of orthodox beliefs has declined. Importantly, the doctrines surveyed are not secondary or peripheral matters. Rather, the cornerstones address the most foundational theological truths imaginable, including the nature of God, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, and the meaning of salvation.

The inclusion of Mainline churchgoers (defined as American Baptist, Disciples of Christ, Episcopal, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church [USA], United Church of Christ, and United Methodist) likely contributed to lower overall scores, as 20% of total respondents identified with those denominations. However, the same proportion of Mainline churchgoers was included in the 2023 survey, which means the decline cannot be explained by sampling differences. Instead, it reflects a broader erosion of orthodoxy among all churchgoers.

Although the data is discouraging, it presents a significant opportunity for renewal. As new people continue to attend and join churches, pastors and Bible teachers can use the information in this report strategically. They can craft sermons, lesson plans, and discipleship resources that address specific theological weaknesses, thereby helping believers recover a robust, biblical worldview.

To view the full 2025 report, visit FRC.org/Worldview.