John MacArthur Says Gallup Poll Findings on Americans and the Bible Reveals Utter Chaos Regarding the Nature and Authority of Scripture

The Christian Post recently published the findings of a Gallup poll designed to gauge Americans’ opinion on the Bible. The findings reveal the utter chaos in our culture regarding the nature and authority of Scripture.

Gallup’s poll found that only 28 percent of Americans believe that the Bible is the Word of God and should be taken literally. And yet nearly 50 percent believe that the Bible is the “inspired Word of God” while insisting that not all of its content be taken literally, but rather as “metaphors and allegories that allow for interpretation.”

“Allowing for interpretation” seems to be key for our postmodern, pluralistic society, as 58 percent – representing the majority of self-identifying Christians in America – accept that the Bible is the “actual Word of God” but insist, “multiple interpretations are possible.”

Clearly, the prevailing belief in our culture is that while the Bible may be the inspired Word of God, it doesn’t mean what it says. It’s only authoritative as long as the reader is the final arbiter of what it actually means. Debates on Scripture ultimately all come back to the issue of authority, and the majority of professing Christians in America have rejected the objective authority of the inerrant Word of God and have replaced it with the authority of self.

At a basic level, self-elevation to ultimate authority falls into the category of circular reasoning, and is a clear failure in logic. However, more importantly, this error reveals a fundamental failure in theological education.

Such mass confusion is only possible as deviance is aided and abetted by Christian pastors who refuse to defend the inspiration, infallibility, and inerrancy of the Word of God. The inerrancy of Scripture is sacrificed in pursuit of so-called academic respectability. The authority of God’s Word is explained away to make allowance for homosexuality, fornication and other sins of personal convenience. The result is this situation reflected by this Gallup poll.

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SOURCE: The Christian Post
John MacArthur