City Life Starter

‘Orthodoxy derives from two words, “Ortho” and “Doxa.” “Ortho” means right, and “Doxa” means opinion, making the meaning of the word ‘Right Opinion’ or ‘Right Belief.’ According to R. M. Bowman, “the word expresses the idea that certain statements accurately embody the revealed truth content of Christianity and are therefore in their own nature normative for the universal church. This idea is rooted in the NT insistence that the gospel has a specific factual and theological content, and that no fellowship exists between those who accept the apostolic standard of Christological teaching and those who deny it.” 

In the letter to Ephesians, the first three chapters of the letter focus mainly on doctrine and belief, and the remainder of the chapters will be on practical living and behaviors. This is not a coincidence of the author’s intent since most of the Apostle’s letter first addresses the orthodoxy of Christian faith and then proceeds with Orthopraxy (Right Behavior). 

Paul’s intent is clear that without orthodoxy, there is no orthopraxy. You can’t possibly live out your faith without having the right belief. 

I wonder if many struggles to live out their Christian faith simply because they have not first given the doctrines they can stand on. Telling folks rules to live without first having a person grasp the “why” would lead to works-based legalism, not genuine faith. Eventually, a person will face the storms of life to false teachings that will shake their faith; but with orthodoxy, it will serve as an anchor to stand firm in their faith in Christ. 

Brothers and sisters, orthodoxy matters.

Elwell, Walter A. Evangelical Dictionary of Theology. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2001, pg. 875.