Survey reveals growing theological uncertainty among British public

A new study titled the 2026 State of Theology survey indicates that familiarity with foundational Christian doctrines has declined significantly among the British public since 2018. Conducted by Whitestone Insight and Ligonier Ministries UK, the research surveyed over 5,000 adults to gauge understanding of concepts such as the Trinity, salvation, and the Holy Spirit. The findings reveal that nearly half of respondents were unable to provide a definitive stance on several core theological questions.

Specifically, 39% of participants expressed uncertainty regarding the Christian understanding of the Trinity, while 56% were unsure about the Holy Spirit’s role in spiritual rebirth. Additionally, 46% could not confirm whether righteousness is attained through faith in Jesus rather than personal works. Ligonier Ministries noted that these results suggest a loss of basic theological literacy rather than a widespread rejection of Christian claims. Despite this trend, the report highlights that some churches are simultaneously reporting an influx of new attendees, suggesting a complex landscape of religious interest and unfamiliarity.