Jhn 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Jhn 18:37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
Jhn 18:38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?……
I continue to admire what Mike Ratliff writes or reposts virtually every day. I have to admit I do envy his over 2 million hits over the life of his 20 year blog. And the work he did even before that. Mike is one who clearly stands up for the Truth. The Biblical Truth that is, and the truth about Jesus Christ.
Often this can be controversial as some of these links will be to anyone coming from a different perspective.
One can read the latest trends in measuring Biblical Worldviews in the following three 2026 reports. If you read the one that came out a few days ago, you can see some glimmer of hope in the trends, but very much confusion. Good Biblical teaching over an extended period of time in my opinion could strengthen this. The question is where can that be found…..
Americans Score Low Across Eight Worldview Categories
The first report from the AWVI 2026 found that 4% of American adults possess a biblical worldview, meaning that they generally think and live biblically. That number remains unchanged from 2023, but is lower than the 2020 measure of 6%.
According to the research, levels of biblical alignment are strikingly low across all worldview categories, regardless of a person’s faith identity or religious affiliation. But the drop-off is cataclysmic in America’s youngest generations—with biblical perspectives in six of eight essential worldview categories hovering between 5% to just 1% among Millennials and Gen Z.
The overwhelming majority of Americans scored as “World Citizens” in their worldview beliefs and behaviors:
• Overall, 82% of American adults have little to no biblical understanding in the category of Human Character and Human Nature.
• Large majorities of “World Citizens” were also found in the other categories.
Much discussion followed in the wake of the murder of Christian activist Charlie Kirk about a possible eruption of spiritual renewal and revival in the Christian Church. But a new national survey from Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center indicates that any increased interest in the Christian faith spurred by Kirk’s assassination has not produced positive growth when it comes to biblical worldview.
That is one of the conclusions from the American Worldview Inventory 2026 (AWVI 2026), the seventh annual worldview survey of American adults conducted by the group. Although 12% of American adults had a biblical worldview in 1994, that number was halved to just 6% by 2020, dropped to 4% in 2023, and remains stuck at 4% in 2026.
As for finding that good Biblical Teaching, if you follow my blog you know I’ve been spending time in a Sabbatical from my local EPC Church. I have many concerns about the life in this church which I’ve been part of for 40 years now. My mind is still unsettled on what my own calling is, not as a Pastor, which I am not, but just as a Biblical Lay Person.
I’ve been spending my time at a small Reformed Church, pastored by a man who has spend now 30 some years there. He works during the week as a math professor at a local college. But he keeps the church on a very pastorally sound ground. It’s small and family oriented. And I love how he teaches the historical biblical confessions and catechisms in the evening service, and a traditional Bible Study via Zoom on Tuesdays.
As for most of our modern churches, here is a sample of some of the controversial things….
Another statement in the first worldview summary:
Most Americans—85%—are in the World Citizen category. These are people who may embrace some biblical principles, but generally believe and behave in ways that conflict with biblical teaching. This group has grown substantially—up 16 percentage points from the 69% identified in 2020
On top of this we deal with many aspects of blending ideas together. This takes the form of Ecumenicalism, and an abundance of “liberty in non-essentials”, with the definition of essentials ill defined. The increasing emphasis on Spiritual Formation, or the newly rediscovered “Ways”. Often characterized as the ancient traditions of the church but seem distinctly different from the “Old Path’s” of the historical Bible accounts, or historical Protestant teachings. Or the huge industry of CCM, Conference & Concert tours, and the Christian Publishing Industry. So much to sort through.
Old Paths
Jer 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
Jer 6:17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
There are also heavy doses of:
Syncretism which is the blending of different, often contradictory, beliefs, cultures, or practices into a new, hybrid form, frequently seen in religion. Synergism is the interaction of combined elements producing a total effect greater than the sum of their individual contributions, often described as \(1+1=3\). Syncretism blends for harmony, while synergism works together for increased effectiveness.
Much of this is contrary to what is taught in the Bible.
Let’s go deeper.
Read this 20 year old article from Ken Silva.
And a little later…
Mike’s own post had an old pointer to that first link.
It’s worth reading the comments he received.
For women reading this check out this recent post.
And listen to the discussion here or read about progressive Christianity..
I will stop here. But just to summarize, do read the Joy article. But be aware that much of the visible church is focused on the seeker friendly style…modern CCM praise music, blending ecumenicalism and syncretism, dismissal or reconstruction of Biblical Doctrine and teaching, movement back toward the Roman Church and blending with Islam, or Mormonism, or Eastern religions, or New Age. Or misdirected focus on “Christian Nationalism” or “Zionism”, how ever those terms are defined…or the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). On top of this you have all the Cultural modern ideas, and other blending worldviews….I highly reconnect the new (late 2025) “Truth Rising” YouTube video for a taste of that.
Visit the little TURCWC site for some good teaching…
The current teaching in the evening on the WSC, though it’s not one of the Reformed Three Forms of Unity is a good start.
Or even yesterday’s Morning Sermon
If you are looking for solid teaching…..
Rainbow Trout 