BELIEVERS IN EUROPE

Ruth Robinson's just released European Believers Report (2006 data) estimates the percentage of evangelical believers in Europe to be about 1.4% only.  “Believers” here are defined as those having "chosen a personal, obedient relationship with Jesus, (as) the only way to God and to eternal life in heaven".
Interesting difference in results from Scott Friderich's European Spiritual Estimate (2005 data) which estimated that 4.2% of Europeans "follow Jesus and are actively concerned about the people around them following Jesus".

Obviously the two researches differ a lot in their methodology. I assume this is true for their underlying theology (being reflected in the method choice), too.

Which is true? Well, for sure, none of the two is. And very likely, both are offering a valid perspective on reality: While Ruth is talking about "Evangelical Believers" (defined by a quite precise confession), Scott is talking about "Gospel-oriented Christians" (defined by an intention for action out of a God-fearing motivation). Obviously you would find the first mostly in evangelical churches while the second is not limited to any confessional boundaries.

This very variety and agreement to disagree is what i find refreshing and helpful in research. That both authors are core actors within emRG i count as a good sign for its heterogeneity in approach and unity in purpose.

Comments

[Sarah Rooney]

Either way, those statistics aren't very encouraging. By the way, I don't know where the research came from, but I've heard that America is the third largest pagan nation (only after China and India) in terms of the number of unbelievers. Lord, send us (US and Europe) labourers! Bring in the harvest of harvesters!

[scott]

Thanks for the good press. I haven't had a chance to go through the details of Ruth's report: but I highly recommend it. It looks like the most thorough and honest presentation of data when using the particular methods and definitions that she has chosen.