Holding Fast to the Faith: What We're Losing and How to Respond

Recent data reported by Answers in Genesis shows that one in five adults worldwide have left the faith of their childhood. Research was done by the Pew Research Center study of almost 80,000 adults from 36 countries. Apparently “Christianity” (this likely includes all denominations, including very liberal churches that don’t actually preach the gospel) and Buddhism suffered the greatest loss of numbers from this “religious switching” and “most of the switching is disaffiliation–people leaving the religion of their childhood and no longer identifying with any religion. That statistic should cause all of us in the church to pause—and pray. Not because we are surprised, but because we must be awakened. What we’re witnessing is not just a drift, but an exodus—a slow erosion of belief in God’s Word as ultimate truth, especially among the next generation.

The reasons for this departure are many: perceived conflicts between science and faith, the moral pressures of a secular culture, shallow teaching, or hypocrisy within churches. But beneath it all is a tragic and dangerous shift: many no longer believe the Bible is trustworthy from beginning to end. When the foundation is cracked, the whole structure eventually falters.

I can relate. I was once an evolutionist and agnostic. After becoming a Christian, I tried to reconcile a belief in evolutionary naturalism with my Christian faith. I assumed that science had settled the matter, and so I read Genesis as mostly metaphor. But over time, I realized that if the opening chapters of Scripture were not true history, then the gospel itself began to unravel. If death came before sin, then what, exactly, did Christ come to undo? As I studied, I became convinced that God’s Word is clear, consistent, and trustworthy—from Genesis to Revelation. That shift changed not only my theology, but my preaching, my parenting, and my discipleship.

The church must recover a full confidence in God’s Word. Not just in parts, but the whole. We must teach our children to read the Bible as truth, not merely as inspiration. We must help them think critically, love deeply, and trust wholly. And we must model what it looks like to live under the authority of Scripture in every area of life.

Our mission as a church is not simply to grow attendance but to cultivate conviction—to raise up believers who know why they believe and who are ready to stand firm in a culture that constantly calls them to compromise.

If you're a parent, grandparent, teacher, or leader: don’t assume the next generation will "catch" the faith. Be intentional. Show them that God’s Word is not only true, but beautiful. Let them ask hard questions—and be ready with real answers.

We are in a battle for hearts and minds. But we are not without hope. God has not left Himself without witness, and His Spirit is still at work. So let us be bold in proclaiming the truth, humble in walking it out, and prayerful for those who have wandered.

Because one in five doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

A Miracle At Sea (John 6:15-21)

"Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. So when they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea" (John 6:18–19).

The account of Jesus walking on the water can be divided into three categories: a) the disciples without Jesus, b) the disciples and the unknown Jesus, and c) the disciples with the Lord they know.

First, Jesus had commanded the disciples to go across the sea ahead of Him. As they crossed, a frightful storm arose, driving them off course. The disciples frantically struggled to keep control of the boat. Meanwhile, Jesus had secluded Himself on the hill. There He prayed quietly. This picture is striking. On the one hand, we have the disciples fighting for their lives, and on the other, Jesus quietly engaged in prayer. It might seem at first glance that Jesus was disinterested, that the disciples were on their own. But they were never on their own. Jesus had sent them on their mission, and He would faithfully care for them. As they struggled, He interceded on their behalf. He knew their plight and would deliver them in His own time. This is often the situation we find ourselves in. We often face difficulties in life, and we think that Jesus in not concerned; but all the while, He is interceding for us, watching over us, and preparing to deliver us. At those times when He seems most distant, remember that He is an ever-present help, and that He is always at the right hand of God interceding for you.

Second, when the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they did not recognize Him. They thought He was a ghost, and they were terribly afraid. We learn this from Mark 6:48–49. Although John does not record this reaction, we do infer from Jesus’ words, “It is I,” that the disciples did not immediately recognize Him. Whenever we do not recognize God, when we do not know Him and thus find confidence in that knowledge, we are afraid. The better we are able to recognize God’s power and hand in our situation, the less we will be frightened by the unknown.

Lastly, once the disciples recognized Jesus, they welcomed Him aboard. He immediately spoke peace to them, strengthened their faith, and delivered them. In the same manner, as we welcome Christ into our lives, confessing our dependence upon His power and grace, we are blessed. Our lives become more manageable, more peaceful, and we find delight in His presence.

John’s account of this event was written assuming his readers were familiar with the other gospels. Read Matt. 14:22–33 and Mark 6:45–52. These other two accounts of the same event fill in some details left out by John. What other lessons about the joy of knowing God can you glean from these accounts?

Displaying His Majesty (John 6:1-14)

"Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world” (John 6:14).

The feeding of the 5,000 is recorded in each of the gospels. But it is significant that in this gospel, John places the miracle directly after Jesus’ conversation with the Pharisees. The feeding of the 5,000 actually occurred up to a year after Jesus talked with the Jews, which is recorded in chapter five. Remember, John assumed that his readers were familiar with the other gospels so he was not interested in a strict chronological record. What he wanted to do was emphasize the majesty and power of Christ.

Jesus told the Jews in chapter five that they would have known Him if they had seen Him foreshadowed in the life of Moses. It is no accident that John records the feeding of the five thousand next because in this miracle Jesus parallels Moses. The crowds followed Jesus as they did Moses. Jesus went up on the mountain as Moses went up on Mount Sinai. Jesus asked where the people might obtain food just as Moses inquired of God concerning the wandering Israelites (Num. 11:13). Jesus provided food when none was available just as Moses (by the power of God) provided food in the wilderness (Num. 11). And lastly, the people make the connection between Jesus and Moses when they said, “This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” They were quoting from Deuteronomy 18:15, where God promised to send a prophet like Moses.

By recording this miracle on the heels of Jesus’ comments to the Pharisees, John is emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecy in Christ. He was the Messiah, and the miracles He performed were signs of His divine, majestic nature. Jesus wanted His disciples to grasp this truth, which is why He tested Philip by inquiring about the food. Philip should have known by the power Jesus had already displayed that He could provide. But Philip’s faith was weak, just as our faith is despite the many testimonies we have in Scripture, in history, and in our own lives of His power. Jesus patiently revealed, once again, His power as the Prophet who came to feed His people not only physically—as Moses did—but spiritually by the renewing power of His Spirit.

Is there some difficulty in your life that you do not think you can handle? Financial problems, failing health, struggles with sinful desires, etc.? Does Christ have the power to overcome these obstacles and give you strength? Though He might not answer your prayers as you want, trust in Him, knowing that He will provide.

Scripture’s Testimony (John 5:45-47)

“For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me” (John 5:46).

The Pharisees, who prided themselves so much on knowing the Scriptures, failed to recognize the One whom Moses wrote about. The Pharisees were guilty not only of rejecting Christ’s words but of rejecting the words of the Scriptures—despite that they were living according to the Word of God.

Some branches of the Christian church have taught that the Old Testament did not speak of Christ, that the law taught salvation by works, and that the Jews were saved through obedience to the law. Some have even said that the God of the Old Testament was different from the God of the new. The God of the old dispensation was mean and wrathful; the God of the new is gentle and merciful. God, however, is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. The old dispensation never taught salvation by works. Salvation has always been by grace and through faith. This was Jesus’ point in John 5:46.

Hendriksen explains that there are four lines running through the Old Testament which lead to the coming Messiah: historical, typological, psychological, and prophetical.

First, the entire history of the nation of Israel teaches that the forces of darkness continually advance against God’s people, and, therefore, only God can save them.

Second, the ceremonial law, the sacrifices, systems, and signs all pointed to man’s need for atonement and to the coming Redeemer.

Third, time and again the Israelites broke God’s covenant. People like Moses, David, and Job all realized their helplessness to save themselves. They looked forward to the Redeemer’s coming.

Finally, the prophetic writings are filled with truths concerning the coming of Christ—that He would be born in Bethlehem, that He would speak the truth, that Elijah would be His forerunner, and that He would perform miracles.

On account of all these testimonies within Scripture, the Pharisees then had no excuse to reject Christ. People today are left with no excuse. Even those who have never read the Bible stand condemned because the law has been written on their hearts, yet they still refuse to worship God.

Take some time to read Stephen’s testimony of Christ (Acts 6:8–7:60). What was the response of the Jews? You should be able to use the Old Testament as proof concerning Christ. Using Acts 6, 7 and corresponding verses become familiar with passages that speak of Christ.

Why Biblical Inerrancy Does Require a Young Earth

It’s become increasingly common—even in conservative Christian circles—to hear believers say something like, “I believe the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, but I don’t think Genesis has to be taken literally.” Often what follows is an attempt to accommodate secular interpretations of earth history—whether that’s through day-age theories, gap theories, or theistic evolution.

But here’s the problem: If we really believe the Bible is inerrant, we can’t just reinterpret the plain meaning of the text whenever it conflicts with popular scientific consensus.

Genesis clearly teaches that God created everything in six days and rested on the seventh (Genesis 1–2), and those days are defined with “evening and morning”—a natural day. The genealogies in Genesis 5 and 11 provide an unbroken timeline from Adam to Abraham. When taken at face value—as Jesus and the apostles did—Scripture points to an earth that is thousands, not billions, of years old.

To suggest otherwise undermines the very doctrine of inerrancy we claim to uphold. It introduces doubt about what God meant, about what is history and what is poetry, and about whether the Bible speaks clearly at all. It also raises questions: If Genesis doesn’t mean what it says, what else in Scripture is open to reinterpretation?

The issue isn’t simply about the age of the earth. It’s about the authority of Scripture. Do we let God’s Word speak plainly, or do we filter it through the lens of human reasoning?

I highly recommend watching the following video of debate between Hugh Ross and Terry Mortensen which addresses this question with clarity and conviction:

As for me, I’m convicted that we must stand on the whole counsel of God—starting from the very first verse.