Every year, the Cultural Research Center from Arizona Christian University conducts the American Worldview Inventory. This is the only nationally representative annual tracking study of the worldview of American adults, investigating both Biblical and competing worldviews.
As a researcher, I am always interested in good research and found some of the results enlightening to our journey of identity transformation.
Identity and Worldview
Our identity is defined by the set of principles, perspectives, purposes, and priorities that influences everything that we think, feel, or do. This definition of identity, found in Redeeming Identity, provides a framework for understanding and transforming identity.
When looking at the definition of worldview that the study used, it is very similar to our definition of identity, but with a narrower focus. Our worldview could be viewed as the set of principles, including our beliefs or truths, that impact how we view and interpret what we experience, which is our perspectives.
What we believe is a foundational component of who we are, which impacts our perceptions leading to what we choose to do. The more our principles are out of alignment with God and what He defines as truth, the more our perspectives will be different from God's viewpoint.
The reason I am reviewing this is to reinforce the importance of what we believe to our identity.
Study Findings
One of the most foundational beliefs of our identity is our belief about God. Tozer stated, "What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." So, our understanding of God, our "prime reality", is the cornerstone of our principles.
In the 2025 edition of the study, they asked the participants about their belief in God. Although it might seem good that 70% of Americans believe that some type of powerful supernatural presence exists, usually referred to as "God," but that is only part of the story. When considering the God of the Bible, only 40% of adults believe in the existence of God as the Bible defines, which represents a minority of adults in America.
One of the findings from the study that I found surprising was that only 60% of people that called themselves Christian believe in the Biblical definition of God. This means that they believe that "there is only one supreme spiritual being, He created and rules everything in existence." I cannot imagine how people can claim to be a Christian and not have this basic belief in God, but there are 40% of Christians that try to believe something different, including belief in multiple gods or that we are gods.
If what we believe about God is central to our identity, what does this say about the identity of most adults in America?
This is why I put such emphasis on our identity. Just because someone has claimed a label of being a Christian, does not mean that they are living from the identity that God created for them.
Plurality of Sources
We were created to be image-bearers of God, which makes our beliefs about the identity of God an important aspect of our principles and worldview. So, what we allow to influence our belief about God is important.
There are so many sources of information that inform our belief about God, parents, pastors, friends, influencers, and podcasters. The different perspectives about God that are communicated from these sources confuse our spiritual views, creating a complicated minefield of beliefs to navigate.
To ensure that we are developing accurate beliefs about God, we need to ensure that it has the right foundation, the Word of God. Paul commended the Bereans, because they did not just take everything that he stated as truth, but evaluated it against God's word to make sure that what they believed was truth.
"Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so."
Acts 17:11
We need to be careful about what others are teaching us about God, to make sure that what we believe aligns with the truth communicated in the Bible. Join us on the HE so I Project, as we journey together to discover the identity that God has for each of us, by establishing it on a foundation of who God is.
The Younger the Better
Most of our identity and worldview are formed during our childhood, before we are 13 years-old. If we want to make a significant impact on helping people develop a set of principles based on the Bible, we want to start younger.
The world is desperately attempting to shape the beliefs of our children, distorting their belief in who God is. To help our children develop correct perspectives regarding the existence and relationship with God, we need to provide clear conversation based on a solid understanding of the Bible.
If you were not raised with this solid foundation, we want to support you as God wants to work in your life and identity, progressively transforming your principles and perspectives. Let us know how we can help you in your identity journey.
If you are interested in more findings from American Worldview Assessment, you can check it out using the button below.
