Biblical Worldview Down to 4% of the Population: George Barna Group Release #1: Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change Since the Start of the Pandemic

American Worldview Inventory 2023
Release #1: Incidence of Biblical Worldview Shows Significant Change
Since the Start of the Pandemic

Dr. George Barna, Director of Research
Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University
Release Date: February 28, 2023

The COVID-19 lockdowns and lifestyle changes that began in early 2020 provided Americans with an
opportunity to spend more time doing things their hectic, on-the-go lives precluded, such as reading
the Bible. But it appears that as people’s lives were substantially altered by the virus and government
policies, Americans were not spending the extra time devoting energy to spiritual matters and
worldview enhancement.

In fact, the first national study of Americans’ worldview in the post-lockdown era found that the
incidence of biblical worldview declined to a mere 4%—down one-third from the 6% recorded just
months before the pandemic started in 2020. New research from the Cultural Research Center at
Arizona Christian University shows that the benchmark worldview measure of American adults taken in
January 2020 may prove to be the high-water mark for the foreseeable future. Americans tinkered with
many things during the three lockdown years—from home-improvement projects to baking sourdough
bread—but improving their worldview apparently was not one of them.

The research shows declines in biblical understanding throughout American society since the start of
the COVID-19 pandemic.

Compared to 2020, almost every demographic subgroup experienced a small decline in the proportion
of those possessing a biblical worldview, according to the American Worldview Inventory 2023. The most
noteworthy declines across the three years were recorded among born-again Christians (down six
percentage points) and people from households earning $60,000 to $100,000 (down five points).

A worldview is the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual filter an individual uses to experience, interpret,
and respond to reality. Everyone has a worldview. It is the basis of every decision an individual makes.
The biblical worldview (also known as biblical theism) is one among numerous worldviews that exist.
In the biblical worldview, people’s ideas about all dimensions of life and eternity are based on biblical
principles and commands.

Biblical Worldview Incidence

The 2023 incidence of biblical worldview is 4%, based on the tracking study of the worldview of adults
across the nation. That is a seemingly small but noteworthy drop from 6% three years ago.
The American Worldview Inventory not only measures how many people are Integrated Disciples (i.e.,
people with a biblical worldview), but also identifies how many adults are Emergent Followers. These
adults do not have a biblical worldview but are leaning in that direction, possessing a substantial number of beliefs and behaviors that are consistent with biblical principles. The survey found that one
out of every seven adults (14%) is an Emergent Follower—a significant decline from 25% in 2020.

The bulk of the population—82%—is in the World Citizen category. These are people who may
embrace a few biblical principles, but generally believe and behave in ways that are distinct from
biblical teaching. This group has grown substantially from the 69% identified in 2020.

For the full report including all the charts and data gathered, which cannot be copied and pasted here please click on the link below;

CRC_AWVI2023_Release1.pdf (arizonachristian.edu)