Three Out of Four Still View Bible as God's Word

Seventy-five percent of Americans see the Bible as the actual or inspired Word of God, a position that has changed little since the Gallup poll began asking about views of Scripture nearly four decades ago.

The latest annual Values and Beliefs survey shows that 28 percent of Americans believe the Bible is the actual Word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word. This represents a decline from the 40 percent registered in 1981, but the ratio has changed little this century. The low point of 27 percent who hold this view occurred in 2001 and 2009, the pollster reported.

Another 47 percent currently think the Bible is the inspired Word of God, although not everything in Scripture should be taken literally. This position likewise has fluctuated little, from a low point of 1977 and 1981, to a peak of 52 percent in 2003.

"Living in a world that seems to be increasingly hostile against Christianity, this is such a liberating confirmation that now is the prime-time to equip and disciple people, who readily acknowledge the legitimacy of God's Word," says Roger Gibson, senior director of AG Adult and Family Ministries. "It is imperative for Christians to continue to share the infallible and life-transforming Truth in order that everyone may hear the Greatest News and live a Spirit-empowered life!"

The poll did reveal that the view showing a steady rise is that the Bible "is an ancient book of fables, legends, history, and moral precepts recorded by man." This perception has reached its highest point in Gallup history at 21 percent (also recorded in 2008), rising from just 10 percent in 1980.

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