What is Orthodox (or Orthodoxy) and Orthopraxy

When I speak of orthodox or orthodoxy here, it is not to be confused with the Eastern Orthodox or Greek Orthodox churches, which are unbiblical in many ways. However, in this article, I am referring to the word orthodox that is often used by solidly Reformed churches. Let us first examine orthodox, then, briefly, the opposite – heterodox.

What is orthodox (or orthodoxy)

The definition, in short, is as follows.

To be orthodox or orthodoxy means to hold to a Biblical standard of belief. A straight belief, right praise, right worship, right liturgy, and/or correct belief. And to hold to sound doctrine (1 Tim 4:12-16, 2 Tim 1:13-14; 4:3-5, Titus 1:9; 2:7).

Nonetheless, all this head knowledge means nothing if we do not demonstrate or practice this knowledge. Hence the word orthopraxy.

What is orthopraxy  

Orthopraxy (or orthopraxis) is the practice of orthodoxy. Hence, an orthodox (Biblical) standard of belief and practice. It is what the Apostles taught, and the early church embraced. Orthopraxy is the litmus test to see if a person (or church) truly is orthodox. It gives credibility to orthodoxy.

OK, I have defined the word orthodox (or orthodoxy) and orthopraxy, so you could stop right here. Or, if you choose to dive deeper, for a more technical definition of orthodoxy, then go with me further.

Orthodoxy comes from the Greek word orthodoxia. The orthos means ‘right,’ and doxa means ‘teaching.’

Orthodoxy is conventional as opposed to being unconventional. It is the opposite of being contemporary. Orthodoxy is dogmatically opposed to false teachings and/or heresy. It is the opposite of heterodoxy. In other words. Orthodox is the good guy, and heterodox is the bad guy.

Published definitions of orthodoxy

From the Lexham Bible Dictionary

“Orthodoxy in the New Testament: The term “orthodoxy” describes right belief. Although the word derives from Greek terms “straight” (ὀρθός, orthos) and “praise” (δόξα, doxa), the term itself is not found in the New Testament. In the Gospels, the concept of orthodoxy is often represented by the word “truth” (e.g., John 4:23–24; 8:32, 40–46; 14:6). Jesus’ principle ministry involved teaching truth, which He claimed was contained in His words and the Hebrew Scriptures.

The concept of orthodoxy in Paul’s writings is best captured by his use of the phrases “sound teaching” (1 Tim 1:10; 2 Tim 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1), “sound words” (1 Tim 6:3; 2 Tim 1:13), and “sound faith” (Titus 1:13; 2:2). The foundation for this teaching was established by the New Testament apostles and prophets (Eph 2:20; 3:5) and handed down from one generation of believers to the next (Luke 1:2; 2 Tim 2:2; 3:14–15; 1 John 1:5; Jude 1:3). The contents of orthodox belief, according to Paul, must be guarded by those to whom they are entrusted (1 Tim 6:20; 2 Tim 1:13–14; Titus 1:9) so that Christians remain pure in their doctrine (Titus 2:7).

Paul cautions Christians who wish to retain their orthodox standards to keep their distance from those who depart from the apostolic instructions regarding belief and conduct (2 Thess 3:6, 14). He also states that those whose teachings are contrary to apostolic orthodoxy should be refuted and silenced from speaking in the church (Titus 1:9–10; see also 1 Tim 6:3–4).”

Jeffrey E. Miller, “Heresy and Orthodoxy in the New Testament,” in The Lexham Bible Dictionary, ed. John D. Barry et al. (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

Thank you for reading this. Let’s make orthodoxy and orthopraxy great again.

This post is part of a What Is series I’m working on.