• New data shows most Americans and emerging Christians lack alignment with a biblical worldview.
• Evangelical researcher George Barna emphasizes the need for spiritual leaders to address shortcomings to foster transformation.
• Barna warns of a 'definitive failing' to instill biblical beliefs in U.S. churches.

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Prominent Evangelical researcher George Barna is warning about a “definitive failing” among churches and leaders in the United States to instill biblical beliefs in their followers, citing new data showing that most Americans and emerging Christians don't hold beliefs that align with a biblical worldview.

Led by Barna, the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University released the second installment of its American Worldview Inventory 2026 on Tuesday.

The research is based on responses collected from 2,000 adults interviewed both by telephone and online in January, with a sampling error of approximately plus-or-minus 2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. 

The latest batch of research examines the level of “biblical alignment across eight specific categories of beliefs and behavior that form the foundation of a person’s worldview.”

The report revealed that the overwhelming majority of respondents had “little to no biblical alignment” across all eight categories. 

In the “purpose and calling” category, which “measures beliefs and behaviors related to life’s purpose, one’s calling, and what constitutes a successful life,” just 19% of respondents had a worldview reflecting full biblical alignment, while 13% had some biblical alignment. The remaining 68% had little to no biblical alignment.

Similarly, 68% of those surveyed had little to no biblical alignment when it comes to their "faith practices," which include “prayer, Bible engagement, and sharing faith with others.” Sixteen percent of those surveyed had full biblical alignment with their faith practices, while the same percentage of respondents had some biblical alignment. 

Seventy-four percent of respondents had little to no biblical alignment when it comes to “Lifestyle, Behavior, and Relationships,” which deals with “sexuality, wealth, and religious identity.” The exact same percentage of those surveyed had little to no biblical alignment regarding their views on “Sin, Salvation, and God Relationships,” specifically “whether a right relationship with God is earned through good works or received through Jesus Christ."

In both categories, the share of respondents with full biblical alignment was measured at 10%, while the percentage of those surveyed who had some biblical alignment was 16%. In the category of “Bible, Truth, and Morals,” which focuses on “the Bible’s authority, moral relativism, and the nature of truth,” 77% of respondents had little to no biblical alignment, 14% have some biblical alignment and 10% had full biblical alignment. 

Based on their responses to questions dealing with “God, Creation, and History,” which examine respondents’ views about “the nature of God, the origins of humanity, and the divine role in human history,” 79% have little to no biblical alignment, 14% have some biblical alignment and only 7% have full biblical alignment.

The overwhelming majority of those surveyed (79%) have little to no biblical alignment on questions of “Family and the Value of Life,” which include views about “marriage, the sanctity of human life and abortion, and personal ethics.”

Much smaller percentages of adults had some biblical alignment (16%) and full biblical alignment (5%) regarding their views on “Family and the Value of Life.” Eighty-two percent of respondents had little to no biblical alignment on matters of “Human Character and Human Nature,” specifically “the moral condition of humanity, including beliefs about sin, innate goodness, and the need for redemption.” Eight percent had some biblical alignment, while 10% had full biblical alignment. 

Researchers grouped respondents into one of three categories, depending on levels
of biblical alignment. “Integrated Disciples” demonstrate overall biblical alignment in their beliefs and behaviors and possess a "cohesive biblical worldview." “Emergent Followers" possess some biblical beliefs and behaviors but not a full biblical worldview," and “World Citizens,” are adults whose beliefs and behaviors are shaped primarily by the surrounding culture rather than by Scripture. 

Researchers found that the "Emergent Followers" segment is about "25 million people strong," and Barna wonders how society would be impacted if that segment "realized its spiritual potential by rising to Integrated Disciple status!"

“The research provides us with a roadmap of how to raise the discipleship potential of American adults. Very few adults presently own a biblical worldview. But the survey also shows that with some commitment and very focused mentoring, millions of Americans could certainly develop a biblical worldview," Barna stressed.

“While it would be advantageous to continue to deepen and refine the worldview of Integrated
Disciples, the most strategic focus should be upon upgrading the worldview of Emergent Followers," he added. "Their weaknesses are most observable in the areas of Family and the Value of Life and also God, Creation, and History. This highlights a definitive failing in the way spiritual leaders — particularly pastors, seminary professors, parents, and parachurch ministers— are addressing information and applications in these two areas."

Barna identified additional areas of concern as “the acceptance of animism and the spiritual implications; the alleged ambiguity of the Bible regarding abortion and the value of human life; the unwillingness to voluntarily suffer or sacrifice to advance the kingdom of God; and the infrequency with which they choose to verbally share their faith in Christ with nonbelievers.” 

“If disciplers and teachers of the Bible were to effectively address these and the related shortcomings, the American Church could get back on the path to spiritual health and experience real transformation,” Barna predicted. “That improvement would bring renewal to the Church, which is a necessary foundation before spiritual revival in America is possible.”

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