Blog
[ Created: 2019-01-21 21:10:45  Updated: 2026-03-22 01:13:00 Owner: rl ]
Title: Adherence to established, traditional, or 'right' beliefs    
  
  
  
  

    

  
  
  
  


Orthodox - straight or right opinion

Sounds good.   

But what defines 'right'?   

Is 'tradition' good?   Is it right?   

Is 'established' the same as 'good'?   

Adherence is good if what you are adhering to is good.   

So, there is a lot of room for questioning orthodoxy.   

Until 1495 the Catholic church defined orthodoxy.   

Protestants challenged that orthodoxy.   

But Protestantism fraqmented with each splinter defining its own specific brand of orthodoxy.   

So, when the term orthodoxy is used it is used to defend the speaker's definition of orthodoxy.   

Does orthodoxy demand
    that both Old Testament and New Testament have equal value?   
    that Grace most be augmented with works?   
    that obedience is necessary?   
    that poverty is expected of believers?   
    that sin can nullify Grace?   

Jesus never defined orthodoxy apart from Himself:
    Come unto Me
    Abide in Me
    My Words abide in you
    I am the resurrection
    I and my Father are One
    If you have seen Me you have seen My Father
    Believe in Me
    In My name
    I am the Way
    I am the Truth
    I am the Life
    I am the door
    I am the good shepherd
    I am the true vine

The New Testament writers defined orthodoxy as follows:
    Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
    Be filled with the Spirit
    Walk by faith
    Walk in the Spirit
    Love the brothers
    Pray one for another

Yes, there are other items that could be added to both lists but that is where we get into trouble with defining orthodoxy because everyone does not agree on the import of those items because they do not contribute to salvation nor do they elevate Grace.   

I hope you can see by the issues raised here that the term orthodox should be a warning word and not one to give comfort.