(OPINION) Recent surveys have sparked a wave of discussion about the state of Christian belief in the United States, with findings indicating that a significant number of American Christians may not adhere to one of the faith’s foundational doctrines: the Trinity.
The concept of the Trinity—that God exists as three distinct but inseparable persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) in one divine being—has been a cornerstone of orthodox Christianity for centuries.
However, new data suggests that this belief is not as widely held among American Christians as previously assumed.
A survey conducted by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, reported by The Christian Post on March 30, 2025, revealed striking numbers.
Based on responses from 2,100 adults collected in January, only 11% of American adults—and a mere 16% of self-proclaimed Christians—affirm belief in the traditional doctrine of the Trinity.
The survey found that just 40% of respondents believe in a God who actively affects people’s lives, signaling a broader shift in theological understanding.
George Barna, the lead researcher, expressed concern over the findings, noting that many Americans appear uninformed about core biblical teachings, including the Trinity, the Ten Commandments, and concepts like repentance and salvation.
This isn’t the first time such trends have been observed. A 2021 study by Lifeway Research, referenced in a Christianity Today article, similarly highlighted theological confusion among American Christians.
That survey found that while 72% of Americans agreed with the statement “There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit,” a deeper dive revealed inconsistencies.
Nearly half of those surveyed also endorsed statements contradicting Trinitarian orthodoxy, such as the belief that Jesus was a great teacher but not God, suggesting a lack of clarity or commitment to the doctrine.
Adding to the conversation, a Newsweek piece from earlier this year cited the Arizona Christian University survey, emphasizing the cultural implications of these findings.
The article quoted Barna lamenting that influential voices shaping American spirituality today might not be theologians or pastors but rather media figures like Joe Rogan, Jordan Peterson, and Bill Maher—none of whom are traditional religious authorities.
This shift, Barna argued, could explain the erosion of orthodox beliefs like the Trinity among the general population.
The reaction to these findings has been mixed. Some church leaders see it as a call to action.
A Baptist Press report highlighted discussions within the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), where leaders have pushed to reaffirm the Nicene Creed—a fourth-century statement that codifies belief in the Trinity—as a response to what they describe as a crisis in American Evangelicalism.
“American Evangelicalism is in crisis,” one SBC commentator stated, pointing to the survey’s 16% figure among Christians as evidence of the need for doctrinal clarity.
However, not all experts agree on the severity of the situation. In a Religion News Service analysis, sociologist Nancy Ammerman suggested that the low numbers might reflect a misunderstanding of theological language rather than outright rejection of the Trinity.
“Many Americans who identify as Christian may not articulate their beliefs in terms of ‘three distinct but inseparable persons,’ but that doesn’t mean they deny the divinity of Jesus or the Holy Spirit,” she said.
Ammerman argued that cultural Christianity in the U.S. often prioritizes personal faith over precise doctrinal adherence, which could skew survey results.
Social media platforms like X have also buzzed with reactions. Posts from users expressed shock and sadness, with one writing, “This is sad,” alongside a link to The Christian Post article.
Others called for a return to creedal Christianity, with a user noting, “Evangelicalism without the Nicene Creed is a vine without a trellis.”
These sentiments reflect a broader concern among some believers that the decline in Trinitarian belief signals a deeper erosion of Christian identity in America.
