Lifeway Research

Enlightening today’s church with relevant research and insights

State of Theology

2022

Americans’ Theological Beliefs Changed to Suit Post-Pandemic Practice

Americans experienced seismic changes over the past two years, including, for many, how they attend church. The shift in behavior coincides with a shift in theology.

The biennial State of Theology study conducted by Lifeway Research found relative stability in some of the religious and cultural beliefs U.S. adults hold. After months of quarantines and social distancing, however, Americans increasingly believe worshiping apart from a church is as good as attending church services.

For more information on the 2022 State of Theology:

State of Theology study in the news:

2020

Americans Hold Complex, Conflicting Religious Beliefs, According to Latest State of Theology Study

More than half of Americans say religious beliefs are a matter of personal opinion, not objective facts. And that’s made clear by examining the varying, and sometimes contradictory, theological doctrines they hold.

For 54% of Americans, theological beliefs are not a matter of objective truth, but rather belong in the category of subjective personal opinion.

For more information on the 2020 State of Theology:

2018

Americans’ Theology Is a Mix of Orthodox Belief and Shifting Opinions

Six in 10 Americans say religious belief is a matter of personal opinion. For 7 in 10 Americans, such religious beliefs include one true God existing in three persons—Father, Son and Holy Spirit. And a similar number who say God is perfect. But an increasing majority of Americans deny Jesus has always existed and many say the Holy Spirit is a force rather than a personal being.

“When the majority of Americans believe religious belief is more personal opinion than objective truth, then we expect to see contradictory beliefs and beliefs that change over time,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research.

For more information on the 2018 State of Theology:

2016

Americans Love God and the Bible, Are Fuzzy on the Details

Americans don’t know much about theology. Most say God wrote the Bible. But they’re not sure everything in it is true.

Six in 10 say everyone eventually goes to heaven, but half say only those who believe in Jesus will be saved. And while 7 in 10 say there’s only one true God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—two-thirds say God accepts worship of all faiths.

Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, says most Americans still identify as Christians. But they seem to be confused about some of the details of their faith.

For more information on the 2016 State of Theology:

2014

Americans Believe in Heaven, Hell and a Little Bit of Heresy

Most Americans believe in heaven, hell, and a few old-fashioned heresies.

Americans disagree about mixing religion and politics and about the Bible. And few pay much heed to their pastor’s sermons or see themselves as sinners.

Those are among the findings of a new study of American views about Christian theology from Nashville-based Lifeway Research. The online survey of 3,000 Americans was commissioned by Orlando-based Ligonier Ministries.

Stephen Nichols, chief academic officer of Ligonier Ministries, says the study was intended to “take the temperature of America’s theological health.”

Ligonier founder and chairman, R.C. Sproul, says, “What comes screaming through this survey is the pervasive influence of humanism.”

Researchers asked 43 questions about faith, covering topics from sin and salvation to the Bible and the afterlife. They wanted to know how people in the pews—and people on the street—understand theology.

For more information on the 2014 State of Theology: