1

Exploring the Belief Systems of Devoted and Non-devoted

Christians: A Qualitative Study

Chapter 1

Introduction to the study

This chapter is composed of five parts: (1) Background

and Theoretical Framework of the Study, (2) Statement of the

Problem, (3) Significance of the Study, (4) Delimitation of

the Study, and (5) Definition of Terms.

Background and Theoretical Framework of the Study

An individual's belief system gives them an idea for

making sense of the world. It enables them to understand the

difficult concepts like the meaning of life, the nature of

good and bad, and the reason for their own being. The belief

of an individual is essential since it deeply influences

their actions, and practices. A belief system aids people in

making decisions and directs their conduct by offering a set

of values and principles. Furthermore, a belief system can

provide comfort and encouragement when things get hard. It

gives people a feeling of security and optimism, enabling

them to get through challenging times and find purpose in

hardship. People who hold similar beliefs frequently gather

 2

to support and share experiences, which can foster a sense

of community and belonging. Each person's belief system is

like a unique fingerprint. It is shaped by a combination of

their personal experiences, cultural background, and innate

personality traits. These belief systems guide every

individual’s thought, actions, and reactions to the world

around them. They can be as broad as religious, or as

specific as personal values and ethics. Beyond religious

beliefs, our belief systems can include our perspectives on

morality, spirituality, purpose, and the nature of reality.

However, while belief systems have been studied, there

are several gaps in understanding the belief systems of

devoted and non-devoted Christians. First, there are not a

lot of studies that explore the differences in belief

systems between devoted and non-devoted Christians. Instead,

Christianity is frequently treated as a solid institution

rather than acknowledging its range of beliefs. Second,

there is a lack of investigation into the lived experiences,

individual stories, and cultural settings that influence

these beliefs, even if previous studies frequently focus on

the belief systems of religion. Also, no research has been

done on how technological advancement affect the belief

systems of devoted and non-devoted Christians.

 3

Christian’s engagement is essential for their own

growth, shaping how deeply people commit to their faith. The

first factor centers on understanding how the level of

engagement varies among devoted and non-devoted Christians

and, how it influences their own beliefs system.

One of the factors and pathways leading to Christian

growth is the level of engagement among devoted and non-

devoted Christians. The level of engagement varies among

devoted and non-devoted Christians. Devoted Christians are

described by a great devotion to their beliefs and active

involvement in practices and activities. They usually have a

close personal relationship with God and value spiritual

development through Bible study, prayer, and worship. Even

if they may not have a strong personal relationship with God

or regard regular religious rituals as important, non-

devoted Christians may yet identify as Christian’s. On the

other hand, they could take a more relaxed or inactive

approach to their faith (Francis et al., 2020).

According to Amankwa et al., (2022), young people and

adolescent engagement with the church is vital for the

growth of the community and progress for several reasons,

including their unique perspectives and thoughts, their

capacity to lead and contribute to the church in the future,

etc. At an important point in their lives, involving youth

 4

in the church helps in the development of a solid foundation

of faith and values. They can explore their spirituality,

ask questions, and gain a deeper knowledge of their beliefs

in a safe and friendly setting. Nonetheless, some young

people now choose not to attend church because they no

longer find the traditions and activities to be as

appealing. Even though some of them have personal reasons

for not going to church, including having too much

schoolwork, they nevertheless spend a lot of time on their

cellphones.

The level of engagement is intricately linked to the

consistency of practices of both devoted and non-devoted

Christians in a way that reflects their commitment to their

faith. Devoted Christians often exhibit a higher level of

engagement through regular attendance at religious services,

active participation in community outreach programs, and

consistent adherence to religious teachings in their daily

lives. On the other hand, non-devoted Christians may still

identify with the faith culturally or nominally but may not

prioritize religious activities or integrate religious

principles into their lifestyle as consistently. This

discrepancy in engagement levels can influence various

aspects of an individual’s lives, including their moral

decision-making, sense of community belonging, and overall

 5

well-being. Moreover, the level of engagement can also

impact how individuals perceive and interact with the

broader society, as religious beliefs often shape values and

behaviors that extend beyond the confines of the religious

community.

According to Viars (2016), devoted Christians consider

their faith to be the basis of who they are and how they

make decisions. Their relationship with God is the

cornerstone of their lives, not just an afterthought. They

aim for consistency because they see faith as a continuous

process rather than a one-time occurrence. They live

spiritually rich lives centered on Christ and gain a deeper

grasp of God's teachings through prayer, Bible study, and

community involvement. Their devotion goes beyond rituals,

they actively seek God's presence through prayer,

meditation, worship, and devotionals. This dedication heals

their spirits and gives them the strength to live out their

religion honestly. They develop a strong relationship with

God by putting spirituality first, which equips them to face

obstacles in life with respect and grace.

As stated by Laugerud (2015), for Christianity to

survive, it is ritual-straight characteristic of religious

activities needs to have a profound emotional impact on

believers. To maintain the faith, these rituals which have

 6

no spiritual intent must turn into acts of devotion. These

practices are based on practical religious belief, which is

defined by instrumental elements like devotional objects and

regular routines. Christianity is a living religion that

promotes function, order, and an active culture through

devotional practices. Those practices provide a strong bond

with culture, memory, and a common ritual experience that is

essential to the survival and health of the faith.

Consistency in religious practices and a sense of

accountability are deeply interconnected, as they both

contribute to the cultivation of a sincere and steadfast

relationship with one's faith and with God. The commitment

to regular religious rituals, such as prayer, meditation,

and worship, underscores a dedication to spiritual growth

and a continuous engagement with divine teachings. Both

perspectives are the central role of devotion in fostering a

deep connection with God and in sustaining the vitality of

Christianity. In essence, consistency in religious practices

fosters a sense of accountability by encouraging individuals

to align their behaviors with their beliefs and to uphold

the values inherent in their faith.

One fascinating point made by Dive (2020) is that

accountability is a vital component of both community unity

and personal ethics. It entails accepting responsibility for

 7

one's acts as well as acknowledging their effects, both good

and bad. This idea promotes stability and trust at the

organizational and societal levels, in addition to

individual connections. When people accept responsibility,

they show maturity and dependability, which promotes an

environment of openness and respect for one another.

Furthermore, accountability fosters learning and development

as people consider their judgments and work to make better

ones going forward. In the end, a community based on

accountability is one in which people accept responsibility

for their deeds, resulting in increased unity and

advancement.

Knowing the fear of the Lord and accepting

responsibility to God require a deep acknowledgement of

God's might and a dedication to connecting one's conduct

with their desires. Evans (2021) emphasizes that true

accountability originates in a heartfelt passion for good

for its inherent value, rather than being just obedient out

of fear of punishment. Doing well in a relationship of

accountability is a sign of virtue, especially when it comes

to God, because it shows a sincere respect for His authority

and a sincere desire to follow his instructions. Therefore,

the true meaning of accountability is not fear but a sincere

 8

desire to defend what is good and true, based on a deep

recognition of God's presence and direction in one's life.

This study is anchored to the Social Identity Theory of

Tajfel and Turner (2015). It examines the fact that people

get a big part of their sense of who they are from the

organizations they are a part of. Both devoted and non-

devoted Christian’s opinions of themselves and other people

are greatly influenced by their religious identity. Devoted

Christians may feel a deep sense of identity with their

faith group and see its rituals and ideas as essential to

who they are. This deep connection can result in actions and

viewpoints that closely reflect Christian teachings,

strengthening the group's sense of unity and shared ideals.

However, while they might not prioritize or participate

in religious activities to the same extent as devout

Christian’s, non-devoted Christians might still identify as

Christians. Their self-perception might be less strongly

associated with their Christian identity because of

influences from other facets of their identity or

experiences in life. This could lead to a range of actions

and viewpoints about Christianity, from curiosity to

irregular engagement with religious rituals. Understanding

the ways in which religious identity shapes the behavior and

perspectives of Christians, whether devoted or not, can

 9

offer valuable perspectives on their social interactions

both inside their religious community and in larger society.

It can shed light on how people manage their religious

identity in a setting of social dynamics, influencing their

relationships, morals, and worldview.

Furthermore, the researchers also considered the

Cognitive Dissonance Theory of Festinger (2020). It states

that people who have opposing attitudes, behaviors, or

beliefs experience cognitive dissonance, which is a

psychologically uncomfortable state. This idea sheds light

on how people make sense of differences between what they

believe and their behavior or attitudes. Cognitive

dissonance can occur for devoted Christians who firmly

follow the teachings and precepts of Christianity when they

find themselves doing or thinking in ways that are at

experience moral struggle, or internal conflict as they try

to reconcile their behavior with their beliefs. They may use

a variety of cognitive methods, including justification,

reinterpretation of their beliefs, or pleading for

forgiveness through religious rituals like confession or

repentance, to overcome this conflict. In the same way, even

non-devoted Christians who might not place as much

importance on religious rituals might nevertheless suffer

 10

from cognitive dissonance when their behavior or perspective

violates their Christian identity.

Thus, the aim of this study was to explore and analyze

the differences in belief systems between devoted and non-

devoted Christian groups. Even though they are both

recognized as Christians, this study also aimed to determine

whether there may be a significant variation between them in

terms of their sense of accountability, belief practices,

and participation in church activities.

The Conceptual Framework of the study is shown in

Figure 1. As can be seen in the figure, where the Belief’s

systems of devoted and non-devoted Christians were the main

variable of the study and was divided into a sub-category

which is the depth of engagement, consistency of practice

and the sense of accountability.

Belief’s systems of devoted and non-

devoted Christians

Depth of engagement
 11

A person high in
psychological well-
being not only carries
higher level of life
satisfaction, self-
esteem,
positive feelings, and
attitudes, but also
manages tensions,
negative thoughts
ideas and
feeling more
efficiently. The
psychology of well-
 12

being aims to help

people live more
rewarding lives
including close
relationships,
responsibilities to one’s
community and
enjoyment of one’s life.
Psychological wellbeing
is a subjective feeling
of contentment,
happiness, satisfaction
with life’s experiences
and of one’s role in the
world of work, sense
 13

of achievement, utility,
belongingness and no
distress, dissatisfaction
or worry etc. It
emphasizes positive
characteristics of
growth and
development
A person high in
psychological well-
being not only carries
higher level of life
satisfaction, self-
esteem,
positive feelings, and
attitudes, but also
 14

manages tensions,
negative thoughts
ideas and
feeling more
efficiently. The
psychology of well-
being aims to help
people live more
rewarding lives
including close
relationships,
responsibilities to one’s
community and
enjoyment of one’s life.
Psychological wellbeing
 15

is a subjective feeling
of contentment,
happiness, satisfaction
with life’s experiences
and of one’s role in the
world of work, sense
of achievement, utility,
belongingness and no
distress, dissatisfaction
or worry etc. It
emphasizes positive
characteristics of
growth and
development
A person high in
 16

psychological well-
being not only carries
higher level of life
satisfaction, self-
esteem,
positive feelings, and
attitudes, but also
manages tensions,
negative thoughts
ideas and
feeling more
efficiently. The
psychology of well-
being aims to help
people live more
 17

rewarding lives
including close
relationships,
responsibilities to one’s
community and
enjoyment of one’s life.
Psychological wellbeing
is a subjective feeling
of contentment,
happiness, satisfaction
with life’s experiences
and of one’s role in the
world of work, sense
of achievement, utility,
belongingness and no
 18

distress, dissatisfaction
or worry etc. It
emphasizes positive
characteristics of
growth and
development
A person high in
psychological well-
being not only carries
higher level of life
satisfaction, self-
esteem,
positive feelings, and
attitudes, but also
manages tensions,
 19

negative thoughts
ideas and
feeling more
efficiently. The
psychology of well-
being aims to help
people live more
rewarding lives
including close
relationships,
responsibilities to one’s
community and
enjoyment of one’s life.
Psychological wellbeing
is a subjective feeling
of contentment,
 20

happiness, satisfaction
with life’s experiences
and of one’s role in the
world of work, sense
of achievement, utility,
belongingness and no
distress, dissatisfaction
or worry etc. It
emphasizes positive
characteristics of
growth and
development

Figure 1. Devoted and non-devoted christians as influenced

by their belief systems.
 21

Statement of the Problem

The researchers aimed to investigate the belief systems

of devoted and non-devoted Christians.

Specifically, the following problems were

investigated:

1. How do the belief systems of devoted and non-

devoted Christians differ in terms of their understanding

and interpretation of biblical teachings?

1.1. How do the interpretations of biblical teachings

differ between devoted and non-devoted Christians?

1.2. How does the understanding and application of

biblical teachings affect the lives of committed and non-

devoted Christians?

2. How do devoted Christians’ actions and behaviors

reflect their belief systems compared to non-devoted

Christians?

2.1. How do devoted people act in a way that

demonstrates their faith?

2.2. How do the expressed beliefs of non-devoted

Christians differ from their actions and behaviors?

3. Why do some devoted Christians adhere more closely

to biblical teachings than non-devoted Christians?

 22

3.1. Why are devoted Christians encouraged to strictly

follow what the Bible teaches?

3.2. Why do some non-devoted Christians face

difficulties in obeying the teachings of the Bible?

Significance of the Study

Every study has an importance on the people, society,

and the planet. This study aims to learn more about the

“Belief Systems of Devoted and Non-devoted Christians”.

Through this research, the respondents will find out the

belief systems of devoted and non-devoted Christians.

Specifically, the study will be beneficial to the

following:

Christians. Gaining insight into the beliefs of both

committed and non-dedicated Christians can be very helpful

in understanding the dynamics of religious practice,

adherence, and faith within the Christian community.

Theological debates, pastoral care, and religious education

could all benefit from this research.

Preachers. The results of this study will help them

gain a valuable understanding of the differences between

devoted and non-devoted Christians. This knowledge could

help them better satisfy the spiritual needs of their

 23

communities by guiding their approaches to community

involvement, counseling, and sermons.

Elders. The results of this may provide insights that

Christian elders and other community leaders can use to

build interconnected understanding, promote unity within

their groups, and address potential sources of conflict or

division resulting from different religious beliefs.

Future Researchers. This study can offer a rich source

of information and insights that can advance many different

fields of study and lead to a better comprehension of

society and human behavior.

Definition of terms

The following terms used in the study are defined

conceptually and operationally to provide deeper knowledge

and a clearer understanding of the key concepts.

Belief System – refers to the belief system is a

structured set of principles held to be true by an

individual or larger group. It encompasses aspects such as

morality, life purpose, or empirical reality. Belief systems

help individuals make sense of reality and can vary in

content, structure, and social significance. They are

influenced by culture, experience, and reason.

 24

In this study, “Belief System” referred to the general

topic or focus of the study wherein it is used to determine

the belief system devoted and non-devoted Christians.

Consistency of Practice - refers to the regular and

systematic application of effort towards a particular skill,

activity, or goal over time. It involves consistently

engaging in deliberate practice, which entails focused and

purposeful repetition aimed at improvement. Consistency of

practice is crucial for skill development, mastery, and

achieving long-term success in various domains such as

sports, music, academics, and professional endeavors.

In this study, “consistency of practice” referred to

the consistency and stability with which individuals perform

religious acts and ceremonies.

Depth of engagement – refers to the level of

involvement, interest, and interaction individuals have with

a particular activity, content, or platform. It goes beyond

mere surface-level interaction and reflects the extent to

which individuals are emotionally invested, intellectually

stimulated, or behaviorally committed to the subject matter.

In this study, “depth of engagement” referred to how

deeply spent or devoted people are to their religious ideas,

practices, and communities.

 25

Devoted Christians – refers to people who

wholeheartedly and steadfastly devote themselves to their

faith, showcasing a strong and genuine commitment to the

principles, teachings, and practices of Christianity. Their

aim is to live a life that clearly reflects the presence of

Jesus Christ in their hearts.

In this study, "devoted Christians" referred to those

who follow the doctrines and principles of Christianity to

the message, often participate in religious activities, and

have a strong commitment to their faith.

Non- devoted Christians – refers to those who identify

as Christians but may not actively participate in or fully

dedicate themselves to the practices, beliefs, or rituals of

their faith. This stands in contrast to devoted Christians,

as their level of commitment and involvement in religious

activities might be less intense compared to those

classified as devoted Christians.

In this study, "non-devoted Christians" referred to

those who identify as Christians but are not as involved or

committed to their faith. These people might not be regular

churchgoers, participate in religious activities less

frequently, or have less consistent faith in Christian

doctrine.
 26

Sense of Accountability - refers to an individual's

personal responsibility for their actions, decisions, and

outcomes. It involves acknowledging one's obligations and

commitments, understanding the impact of their behavior on

others, and being willing to accept consequences, both

positive and negative, for their actions.

In this study “Sense of accountability” referred to the

way individuals view or awareness of their responsibilities

to adhere to the practices, beliefs, and values of their

religious group.

Delimitation of the Study

The goal of this study is limited to the accurate

determination of the Belief Systems of Devoted and Non-

devoted Christians. It includes the exploration of their

different perspectives in how they see their religion and

how they apply their beliefs in their daily life. By this,

the researchers will have the capability to delve deeper and

understand each perception and further conclude a discovery.

The research method utilized in this project is

descriptive-qualitative, an approach that involves the usage

of various observational techniques and the conduction of a

thorough analysis of obtained data. Furthermore, the

 27

commencement of in-depth interviews will be pursued to

achieve the presented objectives of this research project.

This study involved devoted and non-devoted Christians

as prospected subjects wherein purposive sampling was the

sole method used in selecting the participants.

The researchers used purposive sampling in choosing the

participants of the study and the one who prepared the

questionnaires for the participants to be answered and the

data obtained were gathered to come up with data analysis

and interpretation of the results.

The researchers used open-ended questionnaire to get

data from the different participants. There were two parts

in the questionnaire: Part one (1) is the information of the

participants and Part two (2) is composed of nine (9)

different questions aligned to the different statements of

the problem.

There are several methods to analyze qualitative

data, recursive abstraction is one of them. This method is

useful for interview data. Recursive abstraction method

works by summarizing the data. This method can be used to

analyze non-numerical data such audio, video, text etc.