A Correlational Study of Biblical Literacy and the Level of Leadership, Discipleship, and Demographics in an African American Church in Delaware

Abstract

Although the Bible is the world's best-selling book, the magnitude and scope of biblical illiteracy among Americans has been observed and documented by pastors, researchers, and Christian educators. This general decline in biblical literacy in American churches was the impetus for a study of biblical literacy in the African-American church specifically, since a review of precedent literature revealed that no such work had been done among African Americans. The purpose of this correlational study was to determine the level of Bible knowledge among adult attendees at an African-American church in Delaware and to investigate what relationships exist between Bible knowledge and the level of discipleship, leadership, and various demographics. In order to accomplish these stated objectives, the researcher assessed Bible knowledge using a researcher developed biblical literacy instrument that was comprehensive in scope and completed by 228 adult attendees. The mean literacy score of 67% was higher than the national average of 50%. In addition to presenting quantitative evidence concerning the level of Bible knowledge among adult participants, this research study found that the average attendee needs more in-depth biblical instruction, and recommended that the church leadership institute a program to address areas of deficiencies. Such an educational program was developed and implemented by this researcher. There is opportunity for further research regarding biblical literacy within other African American or Black denominations, within other states, and with youth under 18 years of age.