So What is Central to Our Faith and What Isn’t?

The word “orthodoxy” means “right belief.”  The word “orthopraxy” means “right behavior.”  So much time is spent talking about behaviors and practices that might violate the Christian faith, but what about our beliefs?  In the early days the church had groups that pushed issues (such as the divinity of Jesus) and councils hammered out what was orthodox and what wasn’t.  These days folks don’t really talk as much about belief and heresey.  Heresey is a believe that violates basic Christian belief.  So what is heretical?  What is orthodox?  What is essential?

Has we discuss this topic we have to determine what is essential for orthodox Christian belief.  We know there are many denominations who differ on various issues such as infant baptism, Free will vs Predestination, church polity/government, and so on.  We don’t label those denominations heretical (nor should we) but sometimes there are groups that orthodox Christians might label as heretical.  In a future blog I’ll talk about some of those.  But generally Baptists and Methodists don’t call each other heretical. 

For purpose of understanding heresey vs orthodoxy I think we have to look at this as core beliefs that are essential and beliefs that are debatable where agreement may not be possible.

So what are the ‘core beliefs’ and what are the ‘debatable issues’?

Also one has to determine what is essential to being a Christian and what may not be essential for salvation but is crucial to being orthodox.  For example, does a person have to have a correct view of the Trinity to be saved?  Or can a person trust in Christ and accept Christ and be saved but still be incorrect about major doctrines as well as minor ones?

So you can see this discussion is going to be interesting.

So let’s take a deep breath and jump into the theological waters.

Blessings,

Derik