Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Hippie Heretic

Home
Progressive Christian
Why I Value Christian “Orthodoxy”

Why I Value Christian “Orthodoxy”

Last updated on: December 24, 2018 at 12:25 pm by Chuck McKnight

Why I Value Christian “Orthodoxy” 2018-12-24T12:25:13-07:00 Chuck McKnight

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Image credit: “First Nicea Council Icon,” Wikimedia Commons.

I think I’ve just pinpointed, for myself, why I so value the early Christian creeds and ecumenical councils—Christian “orthodoxy,” as it were—even though I have a few points of disagreement with certain councils’ findings, and even though I strongly disagree with the politics that prompted pretty much all of them.

The creeds and councils free us from an incredible amount of hand-wringing over theology, which in turn frees us for far more important matters of justice. I don’t need to spend my time wondering whether Jesus is God. I don’t need to worry about whether icons of Jesus are idolatrous. And I don’t need to question whether the physical world we live in is inherently good or evil. Why? Because these matters were already hashed out and settled centuries ago.

Now, does that mean the findings of these men (and only men) are without error? No, of course not. And in as much as they need to be revisited—especially over a matter of justice—then by all means, we should revisit them. But in as much as there is no such need, in as much as they continue to work for the church as well as they have done for centuries, then we can simply rest in them, and focus on more important efforts.

I propose that we view such early conclusions of the church not as a dungeon to hold people in, outside of which we dare not take a step, but as the home to which we return, simply because we there feel at home. And if, for you, the “orthodox” way of being Christian does not feel like home, then feel free to establish your home next door or across the street or wherever it is that works for you. And go with the blessing of “orthodox” Christians, knowing that we can remain united by the truly important matters of living justly with our neighbors in God’s good world.

Previous Post

July 3, 2018

Rethinking Petitionary Prayer with Mark Karris (Review of Divine Echoes)

Next Post

August 25, 2018 On the Gender of God & Divine Pronouns

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Church Personal Reviews Scripture Social Justice Theology

Select a Month August 2021 September 2020 August 2020 July 2019 March 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 July 2016 June 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Maranatha" mean?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Be joyful Praise Him It is finished Come, Lord