Lost in the Scriptures: 11% of Protestants Confuse Old and New Testament Stories

A surprising number of Protestant churchgoers are blurring the lines between the Old and New Testaments, according to a new study. In a survey conducted last September, Lifeway Research found that 11% of American Protestants mistakenly identified New Testament stories as their favorite parts of the Old Testament.

The survey, which included 1,008 participants, aimed to uncover which Old Testament stories resonate most with churchgoers. The results showed that the Book of Exodus, mainly focusing on Moses, topped the list, with 13% of respondents naming it their favorite. The story of Noah and the Ark followed closely, chosen by 11%.

However, that same percentage of respondents, 11%, erroneously cited New Testament stories when asked to recall an Old Testament favorite. Additionally, 7% of those surveyed either couldn’t name a favorite story from the Old Testament or admitted they had none, while 3% confessed to not knowing any Old Testament stories. Only 79% correctly identified an Old Testament story.

Scott McConnell, CEO of Lifeway Research, pointed to a potential cause for this confusion. “While many churchgoers are familiar with the Bible, at least 1 in 5 may struggle with distinguishing between the Old and New Testaments,” McConnell said. He suggested that less time spent studying the Bible or relying too heavily on others for guidance might contribute to this lack of clarity.

When asked about specific stories, respondents displayed varying degrees of confidence. For instance, 34% said they could accurately recount the story of David and Goliath, but 39% admitted they might miss some details. The story of Noah’s Ark fared slightly better, with 39% claiming they could tell it in full, though 43% acknowledged they might leave out parts.

Interestingly, when it came to Daniel and the Lion’s Den, confidence waned further. Only 24% were confident in recounting it accurately, while 1% mistakenly thought it wasn’t even a Bible story.

“This uncertainty among churchgoers underscores the ongoing need for Bible teaching,” McConnell added. He emphasized that while knowing every detail isn't crucial, understanding the difference between the Old and New Testaments is fundamental to the Christian faith.