Messed Up American Theology: Who Is God?

Who Is God?  Since a majority of Americans don't believe even some of the basic teachings of the Bible, the only conclusion is that American theology is messed up.  And I mean really basic stuff.  Like critical things about Jesus.  Not surprisingly, they don't really know about the Holy Spirit either.  And while I say not surprisingly, it's very sad.  If the theology is messed up, so are we.

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. 

That's from Lifeway Research.  The survey is from 2018.  The trend is going the wrong way.  American's beliefs are straying further and further from what the Bible says.  So here in 2019, the numbers are probably even worse.

Messed Up American Theology: The character of God

One section of the survey is about the "character" of God.  Even though this is a survey about theology, the common usage definition of "character" is important.  It is, after all, about what people think.  Common usage.  dictionary.com defines character as:

character:  noun

1. the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.
2. one such feature or trait; characteristic.
3. moral or ethical quality:  a man of fine, honorable character.

OK - that all makes sense.  It works for common usage.  As we'll see, it works for American's messed up theology as well.

Is He really three persons in one true God?

The survey says:

A majority of Americans (70 percent) believe there is one true God in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Eighteen percent disagree. Twelve percent are not sure. This has remained consistent since researchers began asking the question in 2014.

The survey says mostly true.  Maybe that sounds like good news to you.  At least it's more than half.  But there's a problem with that number.  It's off by at least 5%.  Sure, 5% doesn't sound like much.  But it's messed up.  Do you know why?  

According to other surveys, approximately 75% of Americans claim to be Christian.  However, only 70% believe in what's known as the triune God - One God in three persons.  That means at least 5% of those who call themselves Christians don't believe something very basic about their religion.  Let's see why that's so important.

The Great Commission

I'm not going to get into The Great Commission here.  If you'd like to read more about it, please check out The Great Omission from The Great Commission.  The important point here is part of what Jesus told His followers to do:

Mt 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Just to be clear, Jesus Christ is the namesake of the Christian religion.  And Jesus told His followers to baptize people in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus clearly believed in the Trinity of God.  Therefore, Christians should also believe in that same Trinity.  If not, what does that make Jesus?  

Here's a scenario.  Someone asks you about who God is.  The question - "Do you believe that the one true God is made up of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit?"  You're a Christian.  You answer no. 

Why do you say no?  Don't you know that's what the Bible says?  Or do you know, but you just don't believe it?  People who reviewed the Lifeway survey results feel it's some of both.  Either way, it's messed up when a Christian responds "no" to that question.

God the Father

We turn again to something Jesus, the namesake of Christianity, said.

Mt 6:5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Mt 6:9 “This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,

Mt 6:10 your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.