A new survey has revealed that many Christians no longer fully embrace biblical teachings about sin, a trend one veteran researcher says is a “bodyblow” to the church. The findings highlight the dangers of neglecting one of the most basic elements of Scripture: that all people have sinned and need redemption through Jesus Christ.
As reported by The Christian Post, the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University released the eighth installment of its 2025 “American Worldview Inventory” on Thursday. Based on responses from 2,000 U.S. adults, the survey found that while 84% agreed “sin exists” and “it is real,” far fewer were willing to personally identify themselves as sinners.
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George Barna, director of research at the center, placed the blame squarely on America’s pulpits. “The job of the local church is to educate people about God’s ways,” Barna said. “Yet, a 2019 Pew Research study that analyzed sermon content across the nation determined that just 3% of all sermons preached even mentioned sin. That’s a devastating bodyblow to the Church world.”
This absence of teaching is not without consequence. Scripture makes clear that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). To downplay or dismiss sin is to open the door for its prevalence in society. Barna warned, “For an overwhelming majority of Christian churches to suppress the reality of sin, its consequences, and its solutions from the people those churches serve is a travesty.”
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Today, sin manifests openly across culture, from lawlessness in the streets to corruption in leadership. Yet, many Americans continue to take refuge in the belief that “other people have a sin problem, but they personally do not” or that “sin is an outdated concept.” According to Barna, these are “harmful strategies” that erode both faith and morality.
The survey also showed that 70% of those who believe in sin still claim people are “basically good at heart,” a notion Barna said dismisses the eternal seriousness of rebellion against God. “Describing all people as ‘basically good at heart’ is the culturally-comfortable dismissal of sin that millions of people use to ignore the possibility that their love affair with disobedience to God is a life-threatening spiritual disease with eternal consequences,” he explained.
The Bible warns that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). Ignoring sin doesn’t make it disappear. It allows it to spread unchecked in individuals, churches, and entire nations. That is why the call for pastors, parents and teachers is urgent. “Parents, pastors and religious influencers have a vital responsibility to keep basic biblical truths before the Christian body, including the reality of sin and its repercussions,” Barna said.
Preaching the whole counsel of God, including the uncomfortable truths about sin, is not optional. It is essential. “Inserting sin back into the national consciousness would be an invaluable investment into who we are as a nation and as the Church,” Barna continued.
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For the health of the church and the future of the nation, pastors must preach more than what comforts the ear. They must preach the truth about sin, its consequences and the eternal hope found only in Jesus Christ.
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
