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Everyone has a worldview, but we do not all share the same worldview. A worldview simply is
the intellectual and emotional filter through which we experience, interpret, and respond to the
world. Our worldview begins developing before we are two years old and is almost fully formed
before we reach our teenage years. That worldview helps us to identify who we want to be, how
we want to live, and what we consider to be right and good. We feel good about ourselves when
we live in concert with that worldview; we feel uncomfortable when we make choices or engage
in behaviors that conflict with our worldview.
The following questions were part of a longer survey conducted by the American Culture and
Faith Institute in February 2017 to ascertain what percentage of US adults has a biblical
worldview. While there are many different types of worldviews, a biblical worldview sees life
through a biblical lens, using scriptural principles and perspectives as the basis for our decisionmaking and behavior. The survey incorporated 20 questions about our beliefs and 20 questions
about our behavior. Because a worldview is a combination of what we believe and then
implementing those beliefs into a biblical lifestyle, we included both types of questions in this
inventory. The goal is to become an Integrated Disciple – someone who has blended their beliefs
and behavior into a life that is reflective of the life of Jesus Christ.
A person is considered to be an Integrated Disciple – that is, to have a biblical worldview – if
they answer at least 80% of those questions (32 or more of the 40) in ways that reflect the
Bible’s teaching. Keep in mind that this survey is an estimate, not a foolproof gage of someone’s
spirituality. Certainly there are more than 40 questions that could be used to measure one’s
worldview. Further, choosing 80% as the cutoff is a reasonable but debatable parameter. And we
realize that only God knows who truly has a biblical worldview – and that the very concept of a
“biblical worldview” is not specifically mentioned or described in the Bible! This is a simple and
incomplete tool designed to help us approximate how many people in American society today
are thinking and acting biblically.
Here are the 40 questions we used, excluding the other 34 questions that were part of the original
survey. (For example, in what is listed below as question 3, there were four other life outcomes
that were included in that question on the survey but they have been removed from this text
because they do not factor into the worldview score.) Other methodological practices we use in
our surveys – such as rotating the sequence of responses, so that we minimize order bias in
peoples’ answers – are also absent from this listing of the questions.
After the final question we have provided the answer to each question that qualified as a
“biblically correct” response. If you wish to personally take this survey feel free to add up how
many answers you gave that qualified as the biblical response, to see if you met the minimum
threshold of 32 correct replies. If so, it is likely you have a biblical worldview and lifestyle. If
not, you may be able to detect some patterns or challenges that will enable you to develop a
biblical worldview and lifestyle.
Survey Questions:
1. Would you describe yourself as someone who believes people are basically good?
1. Yes
2. No
2. There are many things that contribute to feeling successful in life. Overall, what is the single,
most important factor you consider to determine your success in life?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Making the people you care about happy
Reaching your goals
Being a good spouse/parent
Commitment and obedience to God
Experiencing personal happiness or freedom
Living a healthy, productive and safe life
Having positive and fulfilling relationships
Being a good citizen
Other
3. How important is it to you, personally, to facilitate each of these possible outcomes in your
life?
--- importance of this outcome to you --not not
Outcome in your life
extremely very somewhat too at all
1. Developing a deeper relationship with God… 1
2
3
4
5
2. Increasing your understanding of the
Bible and God’s ways………………………. 1
2
3
4
5
4. Please indicate how often, if ever, you engage in the activities shown.
several 1 or 2
times times less
Activity
daily weekly monthly per year per year often
1. read from the Bible, not including
when you are at a church……………….. 1
2
3
4
5
6
2. consciously worship God
other than at church services or events…… 1
2
3
4
5
6
3. confess your sins and seek
God’s forgiveness………………………... 1
2
3
4
5
6
4. devote time to better understanding the
story and principles of your faith………… 1
2
3
4
5
6
5. share your religious beliefs with someone
who believes differently than you, to
persuade them to adopt your beliefs……. 1
2
3
4
5
6
5. Think about how you live your life. People have different ideals they seek to achieve. In
addition to those differences, sometimes there are gaps between how you would like to act
and how you actually behave. For each statement below, please indicate how accurately it
describes how you typically behave these days.
--- How accurate is this statement? ----1. you consistently treat others the way
you want them to treat you…………………..
2. you do not worry about anything; God
is always in charge and you fully trust Him…...
3. nothing is more sacred than your word; a
promise you make is always a promise you keep
4. people respect and think highly of you because
you are genuinely interested in their well-being.
5. every day you consciously recommit
yourself to knowing and pursuing
God’s will for your life………………..………
6. given a choice between tangible success and
serving people in need, you consistently choose
serving rather than personal progress…………
7. you acknowledge your sins and shortcomings
and seek God’s forgiveness every day…………
totally mostly
somewhat
not too not at all
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
6. Imagine if someone came to you for advice on a moral decision they face. For each situation
described, please indicate what you would advise them about the situation. Please answer
based on what you, personally, would say, not what you think other people might say or
expect you to say. If you do not think you should or would give advice, enter that under “no
advice.”
Would you advise that this
choice is morally acceptable?
Situation
Yes No Not sure No advice
1. telling a lie in order to protect their own
personal best interests or reputation……………………….. 1
2
3
4
2. using potentially-addictive drugs that have not been
prescribed by a medical doctor, for recreational purposes… 1
2
3
4
3. looking at pictures or videos that display
nudity or explicit sexual behavior………………………….. 1
2
3
4
4. declaring small tax deductions they are not eligible for, but
will not be discovered by the IRS, to lower their tax bill….. 1
2
3
4
5. having an abortion………………………………………….. 1
2
3
4
6. filing for divorce because their spouse consistently
makes them unhappy………………………………………. 1
2
3
4
7. not repaying money they borrowed from a relative because
the relative doesn’t need the money but your friend does… 1
2
3
4
8. marrying someone of the same sex…………………………. 1
2
3
4
7. Do you, personally, believe that there are moral absolutes that are unchanging, or that moral
truth always depends upon the circumstances and the person’s perspectives, or is this
something you are not sure about?
1. there are moral absolutes that are unchanging
2. moral truth always depends upon the circumstances and perspectives
3. not sure
8. What do you believe is the primary, most reliable source of absolute moral truth?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
How you feel about it, personally
Teachings in the Bible
Consensus of society
Government laws
Traditional values
Whatever works most effectively in a situation
Teachings in religious literature, other than the Bible
Religious instruction from your church or religious media
Not sure
9. Which of these statements comes closest to describing what you believe about the Bible?
1. the Bible is the actual, true word of God and should be taken literally, word for word
2. the Bible is the inspired word of God and has no errors, although some verses are
meant to be symbolic rather than literal
3. the Bible is the inspired word of God but has some factual or historical errors
4. the Bible was not inspired by God but tells how its authors understood the ways and
principles of God
5. the Bible is a book of fables and myths that have little basis in reality
6. the Bible is just one of the many holy books that provide religious teaching from
various faiths; it is neither more nor less valid than any other sacred literature
7. Other/not sure
10. Which of the following statements comes closest to your view about the origins and
development of human life?
1. All life forms were created by God; human beings have developed over a long time
from less advanced forms of life in a process that God guided
2. Human beings have developed naturally over a long time from less advanced forms
of life in a process that had no divine or supernatural intervention
3. Human beings were created by God in what is pretty much their present form through
one miraculous act of creation, as described in the Bible
4. Human beings have always existed on earth
5. Other explanation
6. Not sure
11. People have a variety of beliefs. Please indicate whether you, personally, agree or disagree
with each of these statements, no matter what you think other people may believe.
agree
disagree
strongly somewhat somewhat strongly
Statement
1. the Bible is totally accurate in all
of the life principles it teaches…………………….… 1
2. you have a personal responsibility to share your
religious beliefs with people who believe differently. 1
3. your religious faith is very
important to you and how you live………………….. 1
4. a person who is generally good, or does enough
good things for others, will earn a place in Heaven…... 1
5. the main purpose of life is to know, love, and serve
God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength……… 1
6. when He lived on earth, Jesus Christ was fully human
and therefore committed sins, like other people………. 1
7. Satan does not exist; he is just a symbol of evil…….… 1
8. the Holy Spirit is not a living entity but is a symbol
of God’s presence or purity………………………… 1
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
3
4
2
2
3
3
4
4
2
3
4
12. There are many different beliefs about God or a higher power. Please choose the description
that comes closest to what you, personally, believe.
1. Everyone is god
2. God is the all-powerful, all-knowing, perfect creator of the universe who rules the
world today
3. God refers to the total realization of personal, human potential
4. There are many gods, each with different power and authority
5. God represents a state of higher consciousness that a person may reach
6. There is no such thing as God
7. Not sure
13. Which of these statements comes closest to describing your belief about God’s involvement
in peoples’ lives these days?
1. God is aware of everything happening in your life and is actively involved in your life
every day
2. God is aware of everything happening in your life but intervenes only in special
circumstances that have dramatic, far-ranging implications
3. God created the world and humanity but is not involved in people’s lives these days
4. There is no God, so God is not involved in your life
14. Which of these statements comes closest to describing your beliefs about the idea of sin?
1. Everyone is a sinner, which is rebellion against God and His laws; the only solution is
to be saved from eternal punishment through personal repentance and God’s
forgiveness
2. Sin is an outdated idea that is no longer relevant in the contemporary world
3. Sin happens, there are natural consequences, and life goes on; it is not a big deal
4. Sin is basically making mistakes, and we should learn from our mistakes
5. Sins are unfortunate choices that create bad karma or negative vibes; we should try to
be good and do good so that we can experience good karma/positive vibes
15. Would you describe yourself as someone who believes that having faith matters more than
which faith you have?
1. Yes
2. No
3. Don’t know
Scoring
The following answers to questions about beliefs were considered to be the most “biblical”
response of those offered:
Question
1
2
3.1
3.2
7
8
9
Response
2
4
1 or 2
1 or 2
1
2
1 or 2
Question
10
11.1
11.2
11.3
11.4
11.5
11.6
Response
3
1
1
1
4
1
4
Question
11.7
11.8
12
13
14
15
Response
4
4
2
1
1
2
The following answers to questions about behaviors were considered to be the most “biblical”
response of those offered:
Question
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
5.1
5.2
Response
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
Question
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
6.1
6.2
Response
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
1 or 2
2
2
Question
6.3
6.4
6.5
6.6
6.7
6.8
Response
2
2
2
2
2
2
If you answered 32 or more of these 40 questions with the “biblical” response, you would be
considered to possess a biblical worldview – i.e., to be an Integrated Disciple, as defined in this
survey by ACFI.