How Close Do You—and Your Congregation—Align with Scripture?
- Chris Cahill
- Mar 21
- 4 min read
I asked ChatGPT to rank leading denominations in the US according to common doctrinal divisions...this was the result.
It should be noted that this was taken from public statements of faith, creeds, and Scripture, not personal experience. This is not intended to suggest your church body aligns with this chart because church bodies often differ from one location to another, so your congregation may vary slightly from this general assessment.
Observation
Christianity spans a broad range of denominations, each with unique traditions and theological interpretations. But how well do these different expressions of faith align with Scripture? To explore this question, ChatGPT was asked to evaluate leading Christian denominations in the U.S. using published statements of faith, the ecumenical creeds, and the Holy Scriptures as a guide.
This analysis is not meant to judge individuals but rather to assess doctrinal alignment with biblical teachings. While every denomination has faithful believers, some traditions more closely reflect the principles found in God’s Word. In this post, we’ll walk through the key doctrinal divisions analyzed, highlight which denominations align most with Scripture, and conclude with a reminder that no church is perfect—only Christ is.
How the Doctrines Were Evaluated
The analysis considered major doctrinal areas that have historically divided Christian traditions. Below are some of the primary categories examined:
1. Gospel-Centered vs. Tradition-Centered
Most Scriptural View: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the central foundation of faith, not church traditions or institutional authority (Galatians 1:8-9).
Analysis: Denominations that emphasize salvation through faith alone (Ephesians 2:8-9) were ranked higher, while those that add church traditions or additional texts as equal to Scripture were ranked lower.
2. Authority of Scripture – Sola Scriptura vs. Church Tradition
Most Scriptural View: The Bible alone is the ultimate authority for faith and practice (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Analysis: Denominations that adhere to sola scriptura (Scripture alone) ranked higher, while those that place church councils, traditions, or additional revelations on equal footing with the Bible ranked lower.
3. Salvation – Grace Alone vs. Works-Based Righteousness
Most Scriptural View: Salvation is by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10).
Analysis: Some traditions teach that works or sacraments contribute to salvation, which deviates from the biblical teaching of justification by faith alone.
4. Baptism – Believer’s Baptism vs. Infant Baptism
Most Scriptural View: Baptism follows personal repentance and faith in Christ (Acts 2:38).
Analysis: Denominations that practice infant baptism without personal faith ranked lower, while those practicing believer’s baptism were considered more aligned.
5. The Role of the Holy Spirit – Spiritual Gifts & Sanctification
Most Scriptural View: The Holy Spirit actively empowers believers, and spiritual gifts are still in operation today (1 Corinthians 12:7-11).
Analysis: Denominations that acknowledge the ongoing work of the Spirit in sanctification and ministry scored higher.
6. Women in Ministry – Biblical Roles vs. Cultural Trends
Most Scriptural View: Women are called to various ministry roles but may not hold the office of elder or senior pastor (1 Timothy 2:12).
Analysis: This remains a debated topic. Some denominations strictly prohibit female leadership, while others elevate women in unbiblical ways. A balanced, biblical approach acknowledges their important role in ministry while maintaining church leadership structures.
7. Sin, Repentance, and Holiness
Most Scriptural View: The Church welcomes all people but does not affirm sin (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
Analysis: Churches that call sinners to repentance and transformation align more closely with biblical teaching, while those that compromise biblical morality were ranked lower.
8. Worship – Biblical Focus vs. Experience-Driven
Most Scriptural View: Worship should be rooted in Scripture and centered on God, not merely emotional experience (John 4:24).
Analysis: Some traditions prioritize emotional experiences over biblical doctrine, which can lead to theological drift.
Denominations Most Closely Aligned with Scripture
After evaluating these core doctrines, the Wesleyan and Methodist tradition emerged as one of the most biblically aligned denominations.
The Wesleyan-Holiness movement has a strong emphasis on personal holiness, sola scriptura, salvation through grace alone, and the active work of the Holy Spirit in transforming believers.
Other denominations that ranked highly in doctrinal alignment include:
✅ Evangelical & Reformed Baptist – Emphasize biblical authority, justification by faith, and Christ-centered theology.
✅ Reformed & Presbyterian – Strong adherence to sola scriptura, sound theology, and biblical exegesis.
✅ Acts 29 Churches & Evangelical Non-Denominational – Generally committed to discipleship, biblical doctrine, and practical Christian living.
These traditions generally uphold the fundamental truths of the Gospel, emphasize the authority of Scripture, and call believers to holiness and obedience.
Denominations Less Aligned with Scripture
While every denomination contains sincere believers, some traditions introduce teachings that deviate significantly from biblical doctrine. Those that ranked lower in alignment include:
❌ Jehovah’s Witnesses & Mormons – Deny core Christian doctrines, including the deity of Christ and salvation by grace alone.
❌ Catholic & Orthodox Churches – Elevate church tradition, papal authority, and sacramental works alongside or above biblical teachings.
❌ Liberal Mainline Protestantism (e.g., ELCA, some Anglican & Episcopal churches) – Often compromise biblical authority and morality, leading to theological drift.
These groups tend to either add to or take away from the core teachings of Scripture, altering the foundation of Christian doctrine.
No Perfect Church – Only a Perfect Savior
At the end of the day, denominations don’t save people—Jesus Christ does. While it’s helpful to assess doctrinal alignment, no church gets everything right. The most important thing is to be obedient to the Lord, love God with all your heart, and love others as Christ commanded (Matthew 22:37-39).
Rather than seeking a “perfect church,” we should seek a faithful church—one that is:
✔ Grounded in the Word of God
✔ Faithful in preaching the Gospel
✔ Committed to discipleship and holiness
✔ Spirit-led and Christ-exalting
Wherever you are pursue a deeper relationship with Christ and commit to living out His Word in love and truth.
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