1 in 3 Churchgoers Say Some Biblical Truths 'Don't Fit What I Believe'
An overwhelming majority of churchgoers affirm the authority of Scripture, but a growing percentage reject biblical teachings when they conflict with the culture, according to a new Lifeway Research survey.
The survey found that 28 percent of Protestant churchgoers believe that “as culture changes, some biblical truths become obsolete,” according to the poll’s wording. While still a minority, that figure has climbed from 24 percent in 2019.
Similarly, 34 percent agreed that “I accept some truths from the Bible, but others just don’t fit what I believe” — up from 30 percent in 2019.
Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, contrasted the shifting views of churchgoers with what Scripture teaches.
“The concepts in any other book will show signs of age requiring new editions,” McConnell said. “But the Source of the Bible is not Someone whose truths change. James refers to Him as ‘the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows,’ (James 1:17, CSB). The thought of unchanging truth is an unprecedented concept even for many churchgoers today.”
At the same time, the survey demonstrated a widespread hunger to understand God’s Word. For example, 95 percent of Protestant churchgoers say they enjoy exploring a passage of Scripture to understand what it means — a slight uptick from the 92 percent who answered that way in 2019.
Just over half of churchgoers (56 percent) say they find it challenging to make sense of the Bible when they read it —virtually the same as 2019 (57 percent). And 91 percent say they can usually understand how a passage is relevant to them when they read it.
“Most churchgoers enjoy trying to understand the Bible, but some are selective in what they believe in the passages they read,” McConnell said.
“Jesus invited people to follow Him and He said, ‘If anyone loves me, he will keep my word,’ (John 14:23, CSB). And He instructed His disciples to teach new followers ‘everything I have commanded you,’ (Matthew 28:20). His invitation was for the whole, not parts.”
Meanwhile, 84 percent of churchgoers are confident they could address someone’s doubts about the truthfulness of Scripture, while 82 percent are confident they could address someone’s difficulty accepting morals taught in the Bible “that don't fit their cultural values.”
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Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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Originally published September 30, 2026.
