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TechnoratiThe 9-point evangelical criteria is derived from the belief statement of the National Association of Evangelicals.
A couple years ago when the definition of an "evangelical" seemed broad, the former NAE head, Ted Haggard, had defined evangelical as simply a person who believes Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that the Bible is the Word of God, and that you must be born again, according to Christianity Today.
"We probably overestimate the number of evangelicals, since we do not take into account all of the beliefs that NAE says a true evangelicals holds," said Barna. "But our measurement approach incorporates the key elements from their statement of faith.”
"Keep in mind that only God knows a person’s heart," said the researcher added. "No scientific instrument is able to perfectly evaluate what a person believes, or how deeply they believe it. Research is just an approximation of what is happening in society. But America certainly deserves – and has access to – better measures than those that are often used in public discussions about the religious faith of people, and the implications of that alleged faith, especially in matters of politics and public policy.”
The survey is based on a random sample of 4,014 adults conducted in January, April, August and October of 2006.
