57 percent of Millennials agreed that abortion is a sin—the strongest opposition of any age group. Likewise, 18–34-year-olds were most likely to disagree with sexual relations outside of marriage, with 54 percent agreeing that sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin. At the same time, Millennials have the most liberal views on homosexual behavior and gender identity, with 51 percent agreeing that the Bible’s condemnation of homosexual behavior doesn’t apply today and 45 percent agreeing that gender identity is a matter of choice.

Surprising findings about the beliefs of 18–34-year-olds have been released today. Millennials hold more conservative views than older adults in several areas, as revealed by Ligonier Ministries’ 2018 State of Theology survey.

For example, 57 percent of Millennials agreed that abortion is a sin—the strongest opposition of any age group. Likewise, 18–34-year-olds were most likely to disagree with sexual relations outside of marriage, with 54 percent agreeing that sex outside of traditional marriage is a sin.

At the same time, Millennials have the most liberal views on homosexual behavior and gender identity, with 51 percent agreeing that the Bible’s condemnation of homosexual behavior doesn’t apply today and 45 percent agreeing that gender identity is a matter of choice.

These trends will need to be monitored in future years. The 2018 State of Theology survey was conducted for Ligonier Ministries by LifeWay Research, which interviewed a demographically balanced online panel of American adults, including a representative sample of 18–34-year-olds.

The survey may show an increasingly stark polarization of views among young adults. On one hand, a growing proportion of Millennials affirmed essential Christian beliefs, with 61 percent of Millennials saying that salvation is found in Christ alone (up from 53 percent in 2016) and 64 percent saying that Jesus Christ will return to judge the world (up from 55 percent in 2016).

But a growing minority of Millennials see God as removed from their daily lives, with 36 percent of 18–34-year-olds agreeing with the statement “God is unconcerned with my day-to-day decisions” (up from 30 percent in 2016 and 20 percent in 2014). And a majority (52 percent) agreed with the statement “The Bible, like all sacred writings, contains helpful accounts of ancient myths but is not literally true.”

Chris Larson, president and CEO of Ligonier Ministries, said: “Millennials overall may not be as secular as is generally thought. While the media usually portrays young adults in defiant opposition to Christian teachings, the data is not as clear-cut. Millennials are the most pro-life age group in America, and they are right to be supporting the sanctity of human life. But other troubling responses show that Millennials need to hear and receive faithful biblical teaching, as much as any other age group.”

Dr. Stephen Nichols, chief academic officer of Ligonier and president of Reformation Bible College, said: “What Millennials believe about theology will have a profound impact on the future of America. It is very concerning that a majority denied the literal truth of the Bible. But with more than 60 percent of 18–34-year-olds saying that salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone and affirming that He will return in judgment, many young adults still want to identify with the Christian faith. It’s vital that the church supports biblically sound theology and apologetics for younger generations.”

The State of Theology survey was carried out from April 24 to May 4, 2018, and the results are available online at TheStateOfTheology.com