Hipster Christianity
Wed, 08/18/2010 - 14:10 — Sean CarneyLast night at Theology by the Glass the conversation veered into the subject of Hipster Christianity. Apparently there is a book out on the subject along with a excellent website and a quiz so you can determine if you are a Christian hipster.
Since I need to admit that I was at a distinctly hipster-ish event last night and attend what could be considered Winnipeg's hipster church, I decided that I should take the test. In honour of MySpace, here are my results:
Your Christian Hipster Quotient: 55 / 120
Low CHQ. You probably belong to the purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, Hawaiian shirt-wearing Christian establishment, even though you are open to some of the "rethinking Christianity" stuff. You seem to like edginess in some measure but become uneasy when your idea of Christian orthodoxy is challenged by some renegade young visionary who claims the virgin birth isn't necessary.
While I most certainly do not belong to the purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, Hawaiian shirt-wearing Christian establishment, I am slightly comforted that I have a low Christian Hipster Quotient. The only problem is that as I go through the "Anatomy of a Christian Hipster" section of the website, it is clear that I should have scored higher on the test than I did.
Notice to the readers of my blog: Your homework for today is to take the quiz and post your results in the comments below. Don't worry, I won't make fun of you.
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Comments
Not too far from yours
While I realize that this quiz is a bit of a joke, the options for many of the questions didn't really span the full spectrum of answers and I found myself just putting semi-random answers for a couple. Despite that, my results are close to yours:
Your Christian Hipster Quotient:
59 / 120
Low CHQ. You probably belong to the purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, Hawaiian shirt-wearing Christian establishment, even though you are open to some of the "rethinking Christianity" stuff. You seem to like edginess in some measure but become uneasy when your idea of Christian orthodoxy is challenged by some renegade young visionary who claims the virgin birth isn't necessary.
Better Answers to Questions
I think the problem with the quiz is it assumes everyone from the outset is some degree of Christian Hipster, and then it simply attempts to differentiate between differing levels of hipster-ism.
A better quiz would have some options which are blatantly un-Hipster such as:
3 If you are a believer, how would you describe yourself?
- Baptist
4 If you could take a free night class at a seminary, which of the following course titles would most appeal to you:
- An introduction to hermeneutics
7 When you hear the term "CCM," what's the first thing that pops into your head?
- What I listen to on the way to work each day
16 Where did you get the shirt you're wearing?
- Moores
13 Who best represents the future of American Christianity?
- Benny Hinn
Quiz quiz quiz...
Your Christian Hipster Quotient:
61 / 120
Low CHQ. You probably belong to the purpose-driven, seeker-sensitive, Hawaiian shirt-wearing Christian establishment, even though you are open to some of the "rethinking Christianity" stuff. You seem to like edginess in some measure but become uneasy when your idea of Christian orthodoxy is challenged by some renegade young visionary who claims the virgin birth isn't necessary.
Actually:
Moderate CHQ. You probably go to a church rooted in an ancient future that boasts a year-long attendance low during hippy week (folkfest). You don't care enough about christian culture to know more than half of the people named in this quiz but you appreciate a pastor who can quote intelligent literary sources in his or her 10 minute sermon. You are a part of your University's GLBTT* chapter and think the political right needs to care more about the environment and the people Jesus would have hung out with if they want to demonstrate the bible's major theme which surprisingly is "Love God and love others" not "God helps those who help themselves".
Yeah... that sounds about right...
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