--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and…" description: "\"In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and comprehensive study of religion in American life was undertaken by the Gallup organization. The results of th..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f9/r-c-sproul-1006_american-life_in-the-decade-of-the-1980s-a-massive-and_148729.jpg" --- # In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and comprehensive… ![“In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and comprehensive study of religion in American life was undertaken by the Gallup organization. The results of the study were as terrifying as they were revealing. Americans, even evangelical Americans, are woefully ignorant of the content of Scripture and…” quote by R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f9/r-c-sproul-1006_american-life_in-the-decade-of-the-1980s-a-massive-and_148729.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f9/r-c-sproul-1006_american-life_in-the-decade-of-the-1980s-a-massive-and_148729.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f9/r-c-sproul-1006_american-life_in-the-decade-of-the-1980s-a-massive-and_148729.jpg) > “In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and comprehensive study of religion in American life was undertaken by the Gallup organization. The results of the study were as terrifying as they were revealing. Americans, even evangelical Americans, are woefully ignorant of the content of Scripture and even more ignorant of the history of Christianity and classical Christian theology.” [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The study shows that many Americans, including evangelicals, lack basic knowledge of the Bible and Christian history. **In simple terms:** People know little about Scripture and Christian heritage. Key Takeaway Improve religious education and personal study. Themes ignorance religion education culture knowledge Mood concerned thoughtful Type informative analytical When to use this quote - church Bible studies - seminary curricula - personal devotions - public school curricula - media programming Key Concepts Biblical literacy historical awareness theology Questions to Reflect On - How can churches make biblical history accessible? - What role should schools play in religious literacy? A Different Perspective Even with high interest, complex doctrines can be hard to grasp without clear teaching. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [American life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-life/) [Americans Evangelical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-evangelical-1661116/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Christian theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian-theology/) [Christianity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christianity/) [Comprehensive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comprehensive/) [Decades](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decades/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Evangelical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelical/) [Evangelical Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelical-americans-1661118/) [Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant/) [Ignorant History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant-history-695824/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Massive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/massive/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religion American](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion-american-787354/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Revealing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revealing/) [Scripture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture/) [Scripture Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scripture-ignorant-1661117/) [Study](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/study/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) ## Related quotes > [No Christian can avoid theology. Every Christian has a theology. The issue, then, is not, dowe want to have a theology? That's a given.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/no-christian-can-avoid-theology-every-christian-has-a-theology-the/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“The people who criticize me are ignorant of what history is, because the very fact that the student of history chooses what to include…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teodoro-a-agoncillo/the-people-who-criticize-me-are-ignorant-of-what-history-is-because/) [Teodoro A. Agoncillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teodoro-a-agoncillo/) > [The zealous disdain for religion in American jurisprudence amounts to intolerance. Keith Fournier of the American Center for Law and Justice concludes that 'the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-e-reed-jr/the-zealous-disdain-for-religion-in-american-jurisprudence-amounts-to/) [Ralph E. Reed, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-e-reed-jr/) > [Ignorant of history, we find it easy to accept our isolation from one another. We are more able to recognize differences than shared experiences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-simon/ignorant-of-history-we-find-it-easy-to-accept-our-isolation-from-one/) [Linda Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-simon/) > [People who like to fume about the manner in which Disney changed beloved classics are often ignorant of history, not to mention the realities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kage-baker/people-who-like-to-fume-about-the-manner-in-which-disney-changed/) [Kage Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kage-baker/) > [As you know, the separation of church and state is not subject to discussion or alteration. Under our Constitution no church or religion can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/as-you-know-the-separation-of-church-and-state-is-not-subject-to/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [The concept of God in America is very different than it is in England. Because we see the horrendous outcome of religion as being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/the-concept-of-god-in-america-is-very-different-than-it-is-in-england/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [“Star Wars is the American religion," Davis said at one point, and Mychal said, "I think religion is the American religion”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/star-wars-is-the-american-religion-davis-said-at-one-point-and-mychal/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [To remain ignorant of history is to remain forever a child](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/to-remain-ignorant-of-history-is-to-remain-forever-a-child/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“Those who are ignorant of history and the evolution of taste are apt at every turn to make the present age their standard, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-ashley-cooper-shaftesbury/those-who-are-ignorant-of-history-and-the-evolution-of-taste-are-apt/) [Anthony Ashley Cooper Shaftesbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-ashley-cooper-shaftesbury/) > [“I saw a banner hanging next to city hall in downtown Philadelphia that read, "Kill them all, and let God sort them out." A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/i-saw-a-banner-hanging-next-to-city-hall-in-downtown-philadelphia/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [Instead of recognizing the State as ‘the common enemy of all well-disposed, industrious and decent men,’ the run of mankind, with rare exceptions, regards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/instead-of-recognizing-the-state-as-the-common-enemy-of-all-well-2/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [I don't think we should ever ban anyone based on their religion. That is un-American. It is not good. What the president is doing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikki-haley/i-don-t-think-we-should-ever-ban-anyone-based-on-their-religion-that/) [Nikki Haley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikki-haley/) > [“In short, when it comes to colonial America, religious persecution—in the sense of persecution both based in religion and aimed at religion—was as American…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-corvino/in-short-when-it-comes-to-colonial-america-religious-persecution-in/) [John Corvino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-corvino/) > [To pretend that civilization can exist without destroying its own landbase and the landbases and cultures of others is to be entirely ignorant of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derrick-jensen/to-pretend-that-civilization-can-exist-without-destroying-its-own/) [Derrick Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derrick-jensen/) ## More by R. C. Sproul > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Evil may mar the divine image and cloud its brilliance, but it cannot destroy it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/evil-may-mar-the-divine-image-and-cloud-its-brilliance-but-it-cannot/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [God's grace is not infinite. God is infinite, and God is gracious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/god-s-grace-is-not-infinite-god-is-infinite-and-god-is-gracious/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [God Himself supplies the necessary condition to come to Jesus, that's why it is 'sola gratia,' by grace alone, that we are saved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/god-himself-supplies-the-necessary-condition-to-come-to-jesus-that-s/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [If God is not sovereign, God is not God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/if-god-is-not-sovereign-god-is-not-god/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [When God says something, the argument is over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/when-god-says-something-the-argument-is-over/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“There is no such “mother” as Mother Nature. Nature itself is powerless to produce life of any kind. In itself, nature is barren. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/there-is-no-such-mother-as-mother-nature-nature-itself-is-powerless/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Right now counts forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/right-now-counts-forever/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [The complaint that church is boring is never made by people in awe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/the-complaint-that-church-is-boring-is-never-made-by-people-in-awe/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Sin can bring pleasure, but never happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/sin-can-bring-pleasure-but-never-happiness/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [I'm afraid that in the United States of America today the prevailing doctrine of justification is not justification by faith alone. It is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/i-m-afraid-that-in-the-united-states-of-america-today-the-prevailing/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Heaven is a place where God will personally wipe away our tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/heaven-is-a-place-where-god-will-personally-wipe-away-our-tears/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [The rapture will not be secret but open and manifest. Its purpose will not be to whisk the elect away from the earth for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/the-rapture-will-not-be-secret-but-open-and-manifest-its-purpose-will/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [Sometimes we behave and perform with our lives, not for God, but for an audience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/sometimes-we-behave-and-perform-with-our-lives-not-for-god-but-for-an/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [To be spiritually dead is to be diabolically alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/to-be-spiritually-dead-is-to-be-diabolically-alive/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) [Explore all 310 R. C. Sproul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) ## More American life quotes > [“As we look over the list of the early leaders of the republic, Washington, John Adams, Hamilton, and others, we discern that they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-truslow-adams/as-we-look-over-the-list-of-the-early-leaders-of-the-republic/) [James Truslow Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-truslow-adams/) > [Our families and our homes are the center of American life, Everything we do is to make those homes-and the lives in them-more beautiful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-stewart/our-families-and-our-homes-are-the-center-of-american-life-everything/) [Martha Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-stewart/) > [As Americans, we want peace - we work and sacrifice for peace. But there can be no peace if our security depends on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/as-americans-we-want-peace-we-work-and-sacrifice-for-peace-but-there/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I'm Mexican-American, but I grew up with a normal American life. I don't have a low rider. I drive a Honda. I guess I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/snow-tha-product/i-m-mexican-american-but-i-grew-up-with-a-normal-american-life-i-don/) [Snow Tha Product](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/snow-tha-product/) > [“The line in the sand that Carter drew along Iran’s Zagros Mountains now stretches from Central Asia through the Middle East and across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-j-bacevich/the-line-in-the-sand-that-carter-drew-along-iran-s-zagros-mountains/) [Andrew J. 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It is violence punctuated by committee meetings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/football-combines-two-of-the-worst-things-in-american-life-it-is/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [I produced a play in New York that got nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for Best American Play.The play is called Stalking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-richman/i-produced-a-play-in-new-york-that-got-nominated-for-an-outer-critics/) [Adam Richman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-richman/) > [The final test of Afro-American studies will be the extent to which they rid the minds of whites and blacks alike of false learning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-saunders-redding/the-final-test-of-afro-american-studies-will-be-the-extent-to-which/) [Jay Saunders Redding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-saunders-redding/) > [Envy is the central fact of American life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/envy-is-the-central-fact-of-american-life/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [A trillion dollars spent, 2,000 American lives lost - Afghanistan is the longest war in American history. 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Burger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-e-burger/) > [You probably know me as a producer for 'This American Life', a top podcast in iTunes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-sacca/you-probably-know-me-as-a-producer-for-this-american-life-a-top/) [Chris Sacca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-sacca/) [Browse all 344 American life quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/american-life/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "In the decade of the 1980s, a massive and comprehensive study of religion in American life was undertaken by the Gallup organization. The results of the study were as terrifying as they were revealing. Americans, even evangelical Americans, are woefully ignorant of the content of Scripture and even more ignorant of the history of Christianity and classical Christian theology.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "R. C. 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