Welcome to Breakpoint, a daily look at an ever-changing culture through the lens of unchanging truth. With the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street. Earlier this week, while explaining his effort to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, President Trump said this: I want to try to get to heaven if possible. I'm hearing that I'm not doing well. I really hit the bottom of the totem pole, but if I can get to heaven, this will be one of the reasons, end quote.
Now, many people were quick to jump on the president for that bad theology, but it's a view that's actually very common. including among Christians. According to the 2020 American Worldview Inventory from Arizona Christian University, about half of Americans believe that if a person's generally good or does enough good things during their life, they'll earn a place in heaven. Even worse, about as many evangelicals believe that as do mainline Protestants. According to another twenty twenty one study from Pew Research, nearly forty percent of Americans say that believing in God is not even necessary to get to heaven, and a majority of American Christians say that many religions lead to heaven, including non-Christian religions.
These are all findings fully consistent with other beliefs that many American Christians hold about humanity and sin. According to the annual State of Theology study conducted by Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research, 65% of evangelicals agree that everyone is, and I quote, born innocent in the eyes of God. A position that denies the doctrine of original sin, which is the reason that people need salvation in the first place. 56% of evangelicals agreed with the statement that God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. That of course is a position that denies Jesus's own claim to be the exclusive Savior of the world.
43% of evangelicals agreed that Jesus was a great teacher, but not God. That number was up thirteen percent from two years earlier and undermines the very ability of Jesus to be the Savior that we need. 66% of evangelicals agreed that everyone sends a little. But most people are good by nature. And 69% disagreed, contrary to the book of Romans, that even the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation.
Recently, I heard a story from the Habsburg monarchy, a family that ruled over a relatively small area in Europe from the 13th to early 20th centuries. It was about their funeral tradition, which was described in an article for Crisis magazine by Austin Ruse. And I quote, The body is taken in procession and pauses at the Capuchin Crypt near the Hofburg in Vienna. The Master of Ceremonies knocks three times on the door. Who desires entry?
comes a monk's voice from inside. and then is given the name and the multiple titles of the Habsburg who has died. The list is always long, but the monk replies, We do not know him. The master of ceremonies knocks then three times more. Who desires entry?
Again the reply. The lengthy and impressive achievements of the Habsburg are then read out, standing Still the monk replies, We do not know him. Again, three more knocks. Who desires entry? and finally the real answer of who awaits entry.
a mortal and sinful man. The voice then allows, then let him come in. Back in 1973, Chuck Colson came to know the true gospel and the only hope one has of heaven. According to the words of the Heidelberg Catechism, our only comfort in life and death is that we belong body and soul to the faithful Savior Jesus Christ. It was during a visit with his friend Tom Phillips that Chuck Coulson came to understand this essential truth.
Here's how he put it in his own words. He read to me from Mere Christianity by CS Lewis, particularly a chapter about the great sin of pride. A proud man's always walking through life looking down on other people and other things, said Lewis, and as a result he cannot see something above himself that's immeasurably superior. God. That night, as Tom was telling me about Jesus, I listened attentively.
but didn't let on about my own need. When he offered to pray, I thanked him, but said no. I would talk to him again some time after I had read CS Lewis's book. But when I got in the car that night, I couldn't even drive it out of the driveway. Ex Marine Captain, White House tough guy, I was crying too hard, calling out to God.
I didn't know what to say, I just knew I needed Jesus. And he came into my life. End quote. In response to the President's statement about heaven, the Babylon Bee posted this, quote, God agrees to let Trump into heaven if he repents of his sin and trusts in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
Now that headline, unlike most of their headlines, is not satire at all. That's simply the good news. For the Colson Center, I'm John Stone Street with Breakpoint. Today's Breakpoint was co-authored by Dr. Timothy Padgett.
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