Measuring Christian Orthodoxy: Reassessing the Issue of Unidimensionality

This paper is an application of Fullerton and Hunsberger's (1982) unidimensional scale of Christian Orthodoxy. Their research utilized Canadian and Australian samples, whereas ours made use of university students from the United States. Using factor analysis, including factor rotation in order to maximize meaning, our data showed two separate dimensions within the C.O. scale. These are conceptualized as a traditional form of church orthodoxy and as a rationalized form of modern religious orthodoxy. We also found a higher order factor of general orthodoxy. Three possible explanations are suggested for the differences noted between our results and those of Fullerton and Hunsberger.