Reversing Trends

The Bible is clear on the subject of sin - there are certain behaviors that are characterized as sinful, and if we participate in them, it will adversely affect our relationship with Jesus. A sampling is found in this passage from Colossians 3:
5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,
7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.
8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

Noted researcher George Barna is calling for "generational transformation," and it couldn't come soon enough, because, as he points out in an article at his website, the percentage of Americans possessing a Biblical worldview could decline another 2 percentage points within the next 15 years.

The article notes: 

“If you trace the worldview perspectives of adult generations over the course of decades, you can predict the aggregate incidence of biblical and competing worldviews,” Barna explained. “Biblical worldview incidence has declined with each of the last five generations. During that time, the national incidence of adults holding a biblical worldview has plummeted from 12% to today’s 4% level.”

“Our studies of teenagers and preteens indicate that the national incidence will drop another two points within the next 15 years, unless some dramatic and unusually effective spiritual renewal event occurs,” Barna continued. “The expected decline can be explained by the increasing influence of the worldview championed by Millennials and Gen Z as the proportion of adults from the Boomer and Elders generations substantially decreases.”

Barna, who has been a guest on The Meeting House multiple times, is the Director of Research for the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University.  The article goes on to say:

Data from the American Worldview Inventory 2024 show a dramatic shift in morals.

• A majority of adults accept lying, abortion, consensual intercourse between unmarried adults, gay marriage, and the rejection of absolute moral truth as morally acceptable.
• Less than half of all adults embrace the Bible as their primary guide to morality. A minority believes that every moral choice either honors or dishonors God.
• A large minority of adults accept the notion that as long as you do no harm, you may do whatever you wish.

The pivot generation has proven to be the Millennials, now 22 to 40 years of age. Barna's piece states, "Millennials have proven to be social disruptors, reshaping the moral belief and behavior norms established by Boomers and Busters (also known as Gen X, currently ages 41 to 59). Gen Z, individuals born between 2003 and 2021, has followed the lead of the Millennials in some crucial moral dimensions."

Some examples:

• Accepting abortion. While six out of 10 Boomers and Busters consider having an abortion to be acceptable behavior, seven out of 10 Millennials (67%) and Gen Zs (69%) endorse abortion.
• Accepting consensual sex between unmarried adults. Echoing the pattern related to abortion, the AWVI 2024 shows that six out of 10 Boomers and Busters consider sexual intercourse between consenting, unmarried adults to be morally acceptable, but a higher proportion of younger adults (69% of Millennials and 73% of Gen Zs) endorse such sexual encounters.

But the article notes that, "Gen Z has forged new levels of acceptance of other moral beliefs and behaviors, going where not even Millennials had dared to tread..."  Examples include:

Accepting behaviors that produce no apparent or significant harm. Three out of every 10 Americans (29%) from the generation that made “if it feels good, do it” a catch phrase (i.e., Boomers) maintain that it is morally acceptable to do anything you desire as long as it does no harm. That in itself is alarming. But the numbers swell with each succeeding generation. Among Gen X, 40% embrace that mindset. A solid majority of Millennials (55%) accept the mantra, which grows even larger—to two out of every three Americans—who are part of Gen Z (66%).

Rejecting the Bible as one’s primary moral guide. A mere one out of five Gen Z representatives (21%) identify the Bible as their primary source of moral guidance. That is notably lower than the proportion of adults from older generations (29% of Millennials, 34% of Baby Busters, and 37% of Baby Boomers).

But Gen Z seems to be coming around in some areas; for instance, they are "less likely than people from earlier generations (including Millennials) to believe that people are basically good." And, even though they are morally OK with abortion, "they are less likely than adults in older generations to have participated in an abortion."

Even those who meet the criteria for a Biblical worldview are not unanimous concerning the Biblical position on a host of moral issues. The article says that, "People who possess a biblical worldview, known as Integrated Disciples, are very distinct from those who do not have a biblical worldview in terms of moral dispositions. On average, more than nine out of 10 Integrated Disciples (91%) possess biblical beliefs and behaviors related to the moral factors researched, compared to just 41% among those who are not Integrated Disciples. In other words, Integrated Disciples are more than twice as likely as most Americans to demonstrate biblical morality in their thoughts and actions."

This group brings Barna hope for the future; he says, "Americans consistently tell us that their life is becoming more painful. Much of that pain is self-wrought...If Americans want to form a nation of people who are kinder, more compassionate and understanding, generous, and have reasonable hope for the future, my reading of the data says that Integrated Disciples have many of the answers we’re looking for. Their attitudes, values, lifestyles, and level of hope is unlike anything else I see on the national landscape. We learn best by modeling ourselves after those who have figured out what we are questioning. Integrated Disciples appear to be viable role models for the life that millions of Americans have found elusive.”

There is a contrast between the selfishness that is prevalent in the world and the selflessness that is derived from a Biblical worldview. Barna states, "You cannot trust people who believe that everything is conditional and who make every decision solely on the basis of personal needs and interests...," and notes, "Lying, stealing and cheating have become the new moral norm for a majority of our citizens."

We can choose consistently to make our decisions based on the teachings of Scripture. But, we have to know the Word of God and have His principles foremost in our consciousness. And, Barna challenges parents to model those principles for the next generation. He's written a book called, Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child’s Heart, Mind and Soul.  So, parents modeling the Christian life for the children and teaching them to possess a Biblical worldview can contribute to a reversal of the decline in the number of people who have that worldview.   It's a simple premise: thinking and living according to the Scripture.  But, just because it's simple doesn't mean it's not hard.  We are facing enormous spiritual forces, and we must take the sword of the Spirit so that we can stand strong against the influences that would deceive and distract us.