LifeWay Research Examines Southern Baptists' Views of Scripture

Research From Two New Studies Indicates a Disconnect Between Southern Baptist Pastors' View of Scripture and Those of the People in Their Pews

LifeWay Research, the research arm of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, conducted one study this spring among a representative sample of 778 Southern Baptist pastors and a second study in 2007 that surveyed 2,500 adults who attend a Protestant church at lease once a month including 260 who attend Southern Baptist churches.

Inerrancy of Scripture

To clarify further their beliefs about Scripture, Southern Baptist pastors were asked to agree or disagree with the statement, "I believe in the inerrancy of Scripture." Among Southern Baptist pastors, 97 percent strongly agreed with that statement, another 2 percent somewhat agreed and 0 percent disagreed.

Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research, explained, "It is clear that the 'inerrancy' debate is settled among the SBC pastors we surveyed. They all believe in inspiration with a very small percent not also affirming inerrancy. This is a remarkably high number."

Other findings:

--  Among Southern Baptist pastors, 100 percent strongly agreed with the
    statement, "I believe in the divine inspiration of Scripture"
--  69 percent of adults who attend an SBC church at least once a month
    strongly agree that "the Bible is the written Word of God and is totally
    accurate in all that it teaches"
--  1 out of 4 people who attend their churches each month consider the
    Bible less than totally accurate or authoritative
--  76 percent of adults who attend an SBC church at least once a month
    strongly agree that "the Bible is the authoritative source of truth and
    wisdom for daily living"
    

Research for "The Shape of Faith to Come" was conducted in 2007 among 2,500 adults who attend a Protestant church at least once a month. The Southern Baptist sample within this study provides 95 percent confidence that sampling error did not exceed +/-6.1 percent. All of the other questions were included in an online survey of 778 Southern Baptist senior pastors in 2008. The pastors agreed to be surveyed online while participating in a previous survey that was mailed to all Southern Baptist pastors. While the number responding to individual questions varies, the sample size provides 95 percent confidence that sampling error did not exceed +/-3.5 percent.

A comprehensive report on this study can be found at www.lifewayresearch.com.

For up-to-date news and information regarding LifeWay Christian Resources, visit www.lifeway.com/news.

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