Denominationally Speaking

Years ago, I took a quiz on what Christian denomination I was most similar to theologically. A few weeks ago, I ran through the same quiz again to see how much my views had changed. Both some of the changes in ranking and rereading of my comments between the rankings from years ago remind me of how I have indeed shifted theologically, in no small part due to coming under the influence of good teaching on Reformed theology during my time in college. I certainly do not agree now with all that I said back in 2002.

I like to say tongue-in-cheek that I was predestined to be Presbyterian. I went to a Presbyterian kindergarten and then, years later, unintentionally ended up at a Presbyterian college under the instruction of a very wise professor (who happens to be a Presbyterian minister). From there I ended up at a Presbyterian seminary…

God seems to have a trend in mind here for me.

(My current rankings, along with the old rankings, are below the fold — read on to see them and then share your results.)

My #1 is: Presbyterian Church in America/Orthodox Presbyterian Church (was #2)
My #2 is: Reformed Churches (was #3)
My #3 is: Presbyterian Church USA (was #6)
My #4 is: Reformed Baptist (was #9)

How's that for a solidly Reformed beginning?

My #5 is: Methodist/Wesleyan Church (was #1)
My #6 is: Southern Baptist (was #4)
My #7 is: Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (was #10)
My #8 is: Episcopal/Anglican Church (was #14)
My #9 is: Evangelical Lutheran Church (was #13)
My #10 is: Free Will Baptist (was #7)
My #11 is: Mennonite Brethren (was #8)
My #12 is: Assemblies of God (was #5)
My #13 is: Church of Christ (was #12)
My #14 is: Orthodox Quakerism (was #11)
My #15 is: International Church of Christ (was #16)
My #16 is: Seventh-Day Adventist (was #15)
My #17 is: United Pentecostal Church (no change)
My #18 is: Eastern Orthodox Church (no change)
My #19 is: Roman Catholic Church (no change)

I continue to remain surprised on #18-19. Given my admiration for Thomism, as well as a number of elements of Orthodoxy, I'd expect the sacramental churches to score well above, say, the United Pentecostal Church on my list. Of course, this is in part the fault of the quiz system. In reality, I am more in agreement with any church that can affirm the Chalcedonian Christianity than those such as the UPC that reject (little “c”) catholic orthodoxy.

My #20 is: Jehovah's Witness (no change)
My #21 is: Mormonism (no change)
My #22 is: Liberal Quakerism (no change)
My #23 is: Unity Church (no change)
My #24 is: Unitarian Universalism (no change)

Take the quiz