Chris Larson & Bob Godfrey Discuss Ligonier's New State of Theology Survey and Curriculum on AGR

Rev. Chris Gordon, Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, and Chris Larson discuss the upcoming 2025 State of Theology Survey from Ligonier Ministries. They delve into the survey's findings, highlighting concerning trends in theological understanding among evangelicals in the US. The conversation covers a range of topics, including views on human nature, the Holy Spirit, God's love, religious pluralism, and the importance of local church membership. They also touch upon the broader societal implications of theological decline and Ligonier's efforts to promote robust biblical understanding.

00:00:00 - Introductions
00:02:30 - RC Sproul's Rare Teaching Approach
00:05:15 - Ligonier's Global Reach
00:06:00 - Lack of Formal Theological Training Among Pastors
00:07:00 - The Soon-to-Be-Released 2025 State of Theology Survey
00:09:20 - Theology as the Starting Point for Cultural Debates
00:13:35 - Survey Question: Are Men Born Good?
00:21:00 - Disconnect in Understanding the Holy Spirit
00:21:55 - Novelty Driving Theological Understanding
00:23:00 - The 20th Century's Misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit
00:24:12 - Pentecostalism's Influence and Self-Centered Experiences
00:25:50 - The Bifurcation of Worship and Teaching
00:26:40 - Why God Teaches Us Through His Word
00:27:10 - Survey Question: Does God Love All People?
00:35:25 - Church's Choice: Accommodate or Adhere to Scripture?
00:38:00 - Survey Question: Does God Accept Worship from All Religions?
00:43:50 - Survey Question: Obligation to Join a Local Church?
00:47:30 - Young People Seeking Robust Theology
00:53:10 - Survey Question: Should Marriage Be Between a Man and Woman?
01:01:40 - Theology Connects to All of Life
01:08:55 - Cognitive Decline and Offloading Critical Thinking
01:13:30 - Growing in God’s Word Curriculum
01:17:40 - Ligonier Conference at Escondido URC: Semper Reformanda

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Dr. Godfrey has taught church history at Westminster Seminary California since 1981 and served as the seminary’s third president from 1993 to 2017. He previously taught at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Stanford University, and Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He is a minister in the United Reformed Churches in North America, a Ligonier Ministries Teaching Fellow, and has spoken at many conferences including those sponsored by the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, and Ligonier Ministries. He is currently serving as chairman of the Board of Ligonier Ministries, a position he took over from the late Dr. R.C. Sproul.

Chris Larson is president and chief executive officer. Chris joined Ligonier in 2004, and he directs and leads all strategic outreach initiatives and oversees daily ministry operations, seeking to spread the historic Christian faith to as many people as possible. He previously worked in the educational and corporate world before joining the ministry, and he holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from the University of Central Florida.