LifeWay Survey Reveals Theological Inconsistencies Among Evangelicals

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American evangelicals often hold contradictory theological beliefs, despite affirming core Christian doctrines like the Trinity and the resurrection of Christ, according to the 2025 State of Theology survey by Ligonier Ministries, conducted by Lifeway Research.

“Many of the survey answers from evangelicals in 2025 reveal an alarming lack of biblical literacy, as well as a tendency to hold contradictory beliefs without seeming to recognize the incongruity,” the report said.

A majority of evangelicals believe in the Trinity (98%), an unchanging God (95%), and the physical resurrection of Christ (98%). However, 28 percent of evangelicals agreed with half the country that Jesus was a great teacher but not God, despite saying they “trust in Jesus Christ alone” for salvation, Christianity Today reported. Additionally, half of evangelicals say the Spirit isn’t a personal being, despite believing

in “one true God in three persons.”

“The survey seems to indicate that evangelicals, defined in the survey according to a form of the Bebbington Quadrilateral, are confused about the nature of God and his relationship with the world he has created,” said Glenn R. Kreider, professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. “It also demonstrates inconsistency in beliefs, even to the point of contradiction.”

The survey also found that half of evangelicals say that people are good by nature and that God accepts the faith of non-Christian religions, a finding consistent with prior State Theology surveys.

Despite concerns stemming from the results, theologians view this as an opportunity for more discipleship in the church.

“It does not take much wisdom to look at the numbers from the 2025 study and see there is a problem theologically. It does, however, take wisdom to know what the best course of action is after the study,” Ronni Kurtz, systematic theology professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said. “In my opinion, the study represents less of a call to hunt heresy and more of a call towards discipleship.”

Kurtz also noted a greater interest in theology than what he had witnessed in the past from evangelical students.

“I am seeing more and more interest in theology and am encouraged that many recognize that constructive theology needs a foundation of Christian orthodoxy,” he said. “It has been a long time since I have heard students object to the need for systematic and historical theology courses.”

According to the Association of Theological Schools (ATS), the majority of US seminaries saw enrollment growth last year for the first time in a decade. In the past five years, the number of theology doctoral students has increased by over 13 percent, while non-degree enrollment has increased by 46 percent.

Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.