Trevin Wax, author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy, joins to explain why the core truths of our faith are an invitation to adventure. They discuss the unity of different Christian traditions, the importance of seeing with fresh eyes, the pressure to conform to secular ideologies, the distinction between orthodoxy and heresy, and conforming oneself to a greater vision in contrast to societal individualism.
Orthodoxy is a thrilling adventure of following Christ, not a boring or stuffy aspect of the Christian faith.
Drifting from orthodoxy can be dangerous for the Church, as it provides the solid foundation and roots to withstand cultural pressures and change.
The creeds, such as the Nicene and Apostles' creeds, are essential summaries of Christian doctrine that provide a framework for understanding key aspects of the faith and navigating contemporary challenges.
Deep dives
Orthodoxy as the Thrill of Christian Faith
Orthodoxy is not a boring or stuffy aspect of the Christian faith. It is actually the thrilling adventure of following Christ. The creeds, such as the Apostles' and Nicene creeds, summarize the core of Christian orthodoxy and provide a bulwark of biblical truth. The beauty of orthodoxy lies in its ability to hold together seemingly opposing truths, such as the divinity and humanity of Jesus Christ. While heresies narrow down and distort these truths, orthodoxy embraces their fullness and ensures the endurance of the faith. Orthodoxy is not a simplistic or narrow belief system, but rather a rich and expansive understanding of who God is and what He has done for us.
The Dangers of Drifting from Orthodoxy
Drifting from orthodoxy can be dangerous for the Church. It is crucial to avoid divorcing deeds from creeds, as both go hand in hand in living out the Christian faith. Orthodoxy provides the solid foundation and roots that keep us grounded in the face of cultural pressures and winds of change. While there may be debates and differences of opinion on various issues within Christianity, there is a core of orthodoxy that remains constant and unchanging. The enduring truths of orthodoxy have stood the test of time for 2,000 years and continue to be the foundation of the Christian faith.
The Significance of Orthodoxy and the Creeds
Orthodoxy goes beyond the mere recitation of creeds. The creeds, such as the Nicene and Apostles' creeds, are not minimal affirmations, but rather essential summaries of Christian doctrine. They serve as a framework that goes beyond their explicit content and provide implications for various theological and practical matters. Orthodoxy understands the interplay between inclusive and exclusive aspects of the Christian faith, embracing both the wide invitation of Jesus and His exclusive claim as the only way to salvation. It recognizes that the creeds are not exhaustive, but provide a solid foundation for understanding key aspects of the faith and navigating contemporary challenges like gender and sexuality in light of biblical truth.
The Importance of Theology
The podcast emphasizes that everyone is a theologian at some level, but the question is whether it is good or bad theology. It highlights the potential dangers of not engaging in theology and how it affects our understanding of important concepts like love, mission, and being like Jesus.
The Significance of Creeds and Certainty
The podcast discusses the role and significance of creeds in Christian orthodoxy, explaining that they are rooted in scripture and provide guardrails to guide our understanding of the faith. It addresses the misconception that certainty is inherently arrogant, arguing that certainty can coexist with humility and that it is necessary for growth in knowledge and submission to a greater truth.
The creeds of Christianity summarize the most paradoxical and surprising story the world has ever known. So why do so many find them boring? In this best-of episode, Shane welcomes Trevin Wax to explain why the core truths of our faith are an invitation to adventure, using his book, The Thrill of Orthodoxy.
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