UMC20240428 - Orthopraxy vs Orthodoxy¶
There are two cool theological concepts that I have been thinking about recently; orthodoxy and orthopraxy. Orthodoxy refers to correct belief while orthopraxy, on the other hand, emphasizes correct practice. I have been thinking about these things because I am currently reading a book called A Nearly Infallible History of Christianity which tells the story of the early church. There is so much conflict in our history surrounding orthodoxy (what we believe as Christians); each time there was a disagreement, we got a new denomination. One of the biggest of these debates was whether or not Jesus was human, divine or both human and divine. Each conclusion has major theological consequences.
Orthodoxy is important. It deeply affects the way that we live. To say, "I believe that Jesus frees me from sin and death" means that I will live my life giving over all that binds me to Jesus and not holding it within myself. But orthodoxy can become tricky and we can spend too much time arguing how it works exactly that we stop living in the real world.
A friend recently messaged me: "Cliffy do you still believe the devil is a metaphor? Was just reading Luke 10:18". For a long season in my 20s, I wrestled with 'How it all works'. What or who is the devil? Is there a heaven and hell? If so, who gets in? Out of the dozens of religions, why is Christianity the one I should participate in? I read books, debated with friends, prayed, wrote, and thought deeply. Do these details matter? Are we not called to love the Lord with all our hearts and to love our neighbours as ourselves?
Orthodoxy and orthopraxy are both important, but they should co-exist in our lives in a balance. Too much orthodoxy leaves us living in our heads and ignoring our duty as builders of the kingdom. Too much orthopraxy leaves us without reflection and consideration for our actions and being able to correct them. Where are you within these two concepts this week?