Does Going to Church Help Wellbeing?

Welcome back to my blog. I'm happy that you can visit again. The purpose of Teleios is to use the scientific method to show the validity of God's word as wisdom and guidance in daily life. 

Teleios recently performed a study evaluating church members’ ratings of their church and its leadership associated with their personal assessment of wellbeing. We performed this study to assist Dr. D. Scott Barfoot, faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary, with his leadership studies. Full results - Influence of church leadership on congregant wellbeing.

The survey was conducted online with 115 volunteers from 6 evangelical churches in Oklahoma, Texas and California. Participants were mostly evangelical (97%) and agreed they had good wellbeing (88%). Similar findings were shown in surrogate markers of wellbeing including: contentment, peace, joy and purpose. However, there was no control group in our study, so it is difficult based on our data to make firm conclusions regarding evangelical wellbeing compared to other population groups.

Nonetheless, other authors have demonstrated that Christian belief generally is associated with good wellbeing more than in those who do not believe (1,2). The better wellbeing among Christians is most often linked to church attendance, postulated to be from socialization (2-6). Additionally, in prior studies a number of other wellbeing markers have been noted including: forgiveness, gratitude, hope and kindness (7-12).

Teleios also has found that Christians who are more adherent to their faith, using what we describe as the five tools of maturity (Acts 2:42-47; praise, prayer, fellowship, spiritual service and biblical learning) have better wellbeing than less adherent believers (1,2). This was shown again in this survey, specifically for biblical fellowship (P=0.013), but also showing strong trends, despite the relatively small sample size of the study, for prayer (P=0.046), praise (P=0.038) and studying the Bible (P=0.071). 

Why would the 5 tools to maturity help wellbeing? 

We believe it may result from the satisfaction and comfort of the Holy Spirit as we pursue God (Romans 8:16). Further, we know God’s Spirit matures us to think in a biblical manner that helps us exclude negative thoughts and actions (i.e., sin) from our lives (Romans 8:13). 

In addition, the Spirit, as we allow (Ephesians 4:29), leads us and acts on our behalf according to God’s Word (Romans 8:14; Romans 6:17). The joy and freedom which come from God, help us to be excellent in all our ways, both in pursuit of God and also in our endeavors for family and professional life (Galatians 5:22; Colossians 3:16-17; Romans 8:21).

We truly have a remarkable God who provides wisdom not only for salvation but for our personal lives!

Thank you so much for joining me. Join us again next week as we continue to discuss the results of this interesting study.

William C. Stewart, MD

1. MacIlvaine et al. Association of strength of community service to personal wellbeing. Community Ment Health J 2014;50:577-82.
2. MacIlvaine et al. Association of strength of religious adherence to quality of life measures. Complement Ther Clin Pract 2013;19:251-5.
3. Parsons et al. Religious beliefs, practices and treatment adherence among individuals with HIV in the southern United States. AIDS Subject Care STDS 2006;20:97-111.
4. Reed. Spirituality and well-being in terminally ill hospitalized adults. Res Nurs Health 1987;10:335-44.
5. Keefe et al. Living with rheumatoid arthritis: the role of daily spirituality and daily religious and spiritual coping. J Pain 2001;2:101-10.
6. Cotton et al. Exploring the relationships among spiritual well-being, quality of life, and psychological adjustment in women with breast cancer. Psychooncology 1999;8:429-38.
7. Emmons et al. Counting blessings versus burdens: an experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. J Pers Soc Psychol 2003;84:377-89.
8. Froh et al. Counting blessings in early adolescents: an experimental study of gratitude and subjective well-being. J Sch Psychol 2008;46:213-33.
9. Datu. Forgiveness, gratitude and subjective well-being among Filipino adolescents. Int J Adv Counsel 2014;36:262-73.
10. Krause etal. Forgiveness by God, forgiveness of others, and psychological well-being in late life. J Sci Study Relig 2003;42:77–94.
11. Otake et al. Happy people become happier through kindness: A counting kindnesses intervention. J Happiness Stud 2006;7:361-75.
12. Lu. Injured athletes' rehabilitation beliefs and subjective well-being: The contribution of hope and social support. J Athl Train 2013;48:92–8.

For questions or to view more of our research…

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

Why do Christians feel guilty?

Welcome back to my blog. Our most popular blog of 2021 was about guilt, so we thought it was worth discussing again! It is an important affliction that affects our lives and our view of God. 

Christians feel guilty, seemingly almost routinely. Guilt practically is accepted as a part of the Christian life. Should we feel guilty and if so, why? If not, how do we stop?

How common is it?

Teleios surveys have shown that approximately 70% of evangelical Christians feel some level of guilt. Fortunately, it appears typically mild.

Why do Christians feel guilty?

Teleios has examined this question among church attendees in an evangelical church on three levels (full report):

• A person is not a believer (5%)– This was a very small percent, but recognizes that there are people within the church community who really do not understand salvation by grace; and the Holy Spirit is probably convicting them (John 16:8-11). In this case, the guilt is appropriate and perhaps will lead to their salvation.
• Fear of loss of salvation (28%)– These Christians knew they were saved by grace but feared they could lose their salvation, perhaps by sin or disobedience. However, the scriptures indicate Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is sufficient to cover all sins, past, present, and future. For a Christian, saved by grace alone, all sins are forgiven (Ephesians 1:4-5,13; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 6:2-9; Hebrews 6:1-8).
• Fear of God’s displeasure (41%)– The greatest percent knew they were saved and secure yet somehow felt some sin, or lack of good works, would cause God to reject them, producing their guilt. This idea is also unbiblical in that we have direct access to God through the ripped veil based on Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 10:19-22).

What are the triggers for guilt?

What causes guilt in a true believer? We do not know precisely, but here are some suggestions:

• Lack of knowledge of God’s word– This is key! If we don’t know God’s word, then we are left defenseless in determining if we hear or read something that suggests we are sinning. So not knowing, the nagging doubt if we are wrong, leads to guilt.
• Not meeting others’ expectations– Family, friends and churches may have expectations for us, that even may be dressed up in Christian jargon, that can produce guilt if we do not meet them. This issue relates directly to the first point in that if you do not know the Bible then you cannot determine if their expectations are correct.
• Self-expectations– Again, this is related to the first point that we may place burdens on ourselves which we fail to meet but may not be biblical.
• Wrong corrective response to sin– Even if we know that we are in sin, we may not respond to that sin in a biblical way. Our response may be based on social Christian tradition or expectations, such as priestly or work-based absolution, re-dedication or re-baptism, self-abasement or pleading for forgiveness from God. These efforts may reduce immediate guilt but are not biblical and would not solve most likely a long-term guilt problem (please see just below, and the last blog, over handling sin).
• Continued sin – Obviously if we are in a sin and choose willingly to continue it, this may result in feeling guilty.
  

What is the appropriate biblical attitude regarding guilt?

• Realize guilt is not required– For a true believer who is saved by grace alone the answer is simple: ‘Don’t.’ Why is this? Let’s take it to the source, the Bible.
• The Bible does not teach guilt for the believer. The New Testament epistles, the part of the biblical text that provides Christians with guidance, does not teach believers to feel guilty for acts of sin or any other reason.
  
• Christians are forgiven by Christ’s gracious sacrifice, received by faith; His offering was fully sufficient to cover all our sins. It is given to us as a free gift. Guilt is not part of the package (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-26).
• God wants our obedience – This is the New Testament response to sin, to obey and mature into the worthy servant that God wants us to be. In this way we can accomplish good things, such as spreading the gospel and serving others, without being self-focused, tied up in knots over insecurity of salvation, questioning our relationship with God, and burdened by our guilt (Romans 6:12; 6:16; 12:1; Hebrews 5:11-6:3).

What is the solution for guilt?

• Make sure you are a believer– Assure that you recognize your glorious salvation is based completely on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross by faith alone and not mixed with works. Further, as time passes from when you first believed, you will see evidence of biblically based changes in your life (2 Peter 1:10). Please see our chapter on salvation for further detail. There is nothing that you can do to help God save or keep you. He does it all!
• Realize you are secure– God provides protections, both legal and morphologic, by declaring us righteous, adopted, sealed by the Spirit until Christ’s coming, and changed irreversibly into a new person. (Ephesians 1:4-5, Ephesians 1:13; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-26; Romans 6:2-9; Hebrews 6:1-8).
• Realize you are forgiven– Certainly, in our relationship with God it makes sense to recognize our day-to-day sin with regret. However, we must realize with God that those sins graciously are forgiven already by Christ’s sacrifice (Romans 3:24-25: Ephesians 1:7).
• Access – We have bold access to God! Our only limitation is ourselves by sin that would keep us from approaching God or hindering our prayers (Hebrews 4:14-16; Hebrews 10:19-22).
• Realize the truth about guilt– The Bible does not tell believers to feel guilty but to obey and have joy and peace. Therefore, get up, obey the word, life by faith, live guilt free! A good motto for the Christian life: ‘Live by facts (i.e., the Bible) and not emotions!’ Believe scripture, and do not rely on emotions that you or others place on yourself. God is great and gives us such wonderful biblical wisdom to enrich our lives.
  

We have a gracious God who has provided for us forgiveness through Jesus Christ death and resurrection and access through faith. We should not be burdened by guilt but to obey and strive to be holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16).

Thanks for joining my blog today. Join us next week for another exciting topic!

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.

What exactly is ‘the gospel’ anyway?

Welcome back to my blog. I'm happy that you came to visit.

Teleios recently evaluated how often evangelicals share the good news of Christ, ‘the gospel’, and what makes people fear the process. We surveyed attitudes toward sharing the gospel among all attendees at one Sunday worship service in a midwestern evangelical church. Approximately 370 people participated (full results at https://teleiosresearch.com/explaining-the-gospel-and-wellbeing-among-christian-evangelicals/).

We previously discussed that although our survey indicated Bible-believing Christians may fear explaining the gospel to others, our message really is good and true, and we actually benefit others when we share. We also explored the fact that many Christians perceive they are sharing the gospel with non-believers by non-verbal messages including: giving a video, praying, living a godly lifestyle, or inviting someone to church. However, we noted in Romans 10:14-15, scripture indicates that to hear the gospel the recipient must understand and believe the explicit message.

The question arises then, how do we do this? Rather astoundingly, after decades of teaching Sunday school and individual students, I have never encountered a single person who, when asked, could recite the gospel plan of salvation in an efficient and coherent way, with or without my prompting. This supports what we noted last week and as our data indicate, that most people do not share because they do not know what to say. Therefore, how do we say it?

Although the gospel should be presented with compassion as well as truth (Proverbs 3:3) it also must be spoken clearly and succinctly so a person knows what to believe. Key gospel passages are Romans 3:23-26, Romans 10:9-10, and Ephesians 2:7-10, among others.

The gospel message should contain generally the following information (Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 10:9-10, and Romans 3:21-26):

1. Everyone has sinned.
2. God is just and requires a punishment for sin.
3. Out of love God sent His Son, Jesus Christ who by dying on the cross, provided forgiveness for your sins by taking your punishment for you.
4. Therefore, by faith alone in Christ’s sacrifice for your sins and belief in His resurrection, you can gain eternal life.
   

You see, it is that easy!

What does a new believer need to do? Nothing, remember the gospel message requires only belief. A person isn’t required to say a special prayer, go to church, or be water baptized; they simply believe! 

However, the new believer should be able to repeat the gospel back to you (Romans 10:10). If a person cannot articulate their new faith, then they probably have not understood. 

What should you do after the new Christian acknowledges they believe? Good question! Since Christians are regenerated by the Holy Spirit at salvation (Titus 3:5, Romans 6:2-12) they are God's “workmanship” or product (Ephesians 2:10), not yours!  God causes them to grow and stand (Romans 14:4, 2 Timothy 1:12). It is not our responsibility! If a person truly believes they have become a new person and will eventually show others their new faith by their actions in obedient response to Jesus their Lord. 

That said, however, it is gracious to engage the new Christian in Bible study to teach them about their recently acquired faith or at least to direct them to a Bible-believing church or person who could instruct them.

I hope this information helps you. Indeed, sharing the gospel is a privilege we have as a Christian. Our society needs to hear it!  The only way we will change our culture is to change hearts, and that by the power of God’s Spirit. 

Thanks for joining me today. Please come back next week as we discuss additional fascinating findings from our research.

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email - info@teleiosresearch.com 

Website - http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch 

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.