Reliability and validity of the REM Initial Christian Faith Scale

Abstract

Introduction: Faith is a central dimension in the lives of millions of people and constitutes a significant component in their construction of meaning in life. From a psychological perspective, faith involves religious belief and a fundamental trust that shapes emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. In Christian contexts, faith has traditionally been understood as a personal relationship with God and an acceptance of biblical teachings as a guide for life. The present study aims to evaluate the reliability and validity of a Christian faith scale in its initial phase. Methods: an Exploratory Factor Analysis and an item discrimination analysis were carried out. The scale is designed to capture the different dimensions of Christian faith and levels of spiritual evolution from a psychometric perspective. The sample is 65 people. Results: The results evidence a high internal consistency (α = 0.974); likewise, 11 factors were identified that reflect dimensions such as biblical literalism, the power of prayer, worship, and the concept of evil.Conclusions: based on the factors, four evolutionary levels of faith were proposed: early faith, fundamental faith, pragmatic faith, and intermediate faith. This instrument offers an empirical basis for studying spiritual development in Christian contexts.