Shifting Beliefs Among Young Evangelicals
A recent survey conducted by Infinity Concepts and Grey Matter highlights a notable shift in the beliefs of young evangelicals, particularly those under 35. This group appears less inclined to see Jews as God’s chosen people compared to their older counterparts, and they show greater support for what some call “alternative theology.”
Earlier this year, a study revealed that 49% of all evangelicals believe Jews are God’s “chosen people.” However, only 29% of respondents under 35 share this belief, which is quite striking. In contrast, among those aged 35-44, 50% affirmed this view, along with 51% of those aged 45-54, 55% for individuals aged 55-64, and again 55% for those aged 65 and above.
When it comes to the theology suggesting Christians replaced Jews as God’s chosen people after the birth of Christ, only 26% of those under 26 accept this belief. An additional 26% are unsure, while 16% assert that Jews are not God’s chosen people.
The study explored seven key topics related to Israel and its significance: “The role of Israel in prophecy,” “What the Bible teaches about Israel,” “The roots of Christian Jews,” “Political relationships between the US and Israel,” “Anti-Semitic or Anti-Semitic prejudice,” “US media coverage of Israel,” and “What America looks like.”
From all respondents, 44% considered all seven topics important, but this figure dropped to 31% among those under 35. In stark contrast, 62% of individuals aged 65 and older found all seven issues significant, with 48% of those 55-64, 41% of those 45-54, and 34% of those 35-44 echoing similar sentiments.
“The long-term outlook indicates that we might be observing a broader theological evolution,” remarked Mark Dristadt, CEO of Infinity Concepts. “I’ve noticed similar shifts in attitudes towards Israel, reflecting how young evangelicals are re-evaluating various critical cultural topics.”
He further emphasized that the findings point to a need for thoughtful engagement among generations, to strengthen biblical understanding related to Israel and the Jewish people.
Previous generational differences were also noted in a 2021 report. Research found that 59% of those over 70 believed Jews remained God’s chosen people, while only 44% of those at 40 agreed with that view.
In summary, 51% of evangelicals still believe Jews are God’s chosen people, while 19% are uncertain. About 17% think Christians have replaced Jews in this role, and 10% believe Jews were never God’s chosen people.
