In another Gallup poll released recently, Americans who believe the Bible is “the actual word of God” and that it should be taken literally word for word,” is now down to 28 percent from 40 percent in 1979. The poll also revealed that almost half (47%) of Americans believe that the Bible is the “inspired word of God,” but that not all of its content should be taken literally. This is 2% higher than in 1976. And those who believe the Bible is an “ancient book of fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man” is the highest ever with 21%, up from 13% in 1976.
The poll also tried to differentiate between differing views on how the Bible was transmitted and whether the words of the Bible should be taken literally or if they should be viewed partly or entirely as allegorical.
Over 20 percent of Americans said the Bible should be taken literally, while 28 percent said that multiple interpretations of the Bible are possible. Gallup also discovered that Christians are “significantly more likely to say they believe the Bible is the actual word of God when they also can say that multiple interpretations are possible, and less likely to agree that it is the actual word of God if it is to be taken literally, word for word. This may suggest how seriously American Christians accept the Bible.
Obviously, American Christians are becoming less committed in general to ordering their lives according to the Bible. While the debate over word inspiration was not part of the survey, it is obvious that most American Christians do not want to view the Bible as entirely authoritative.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come… Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 1 Timothy 3:2, 5