Orthopraxy refers to correct conduct or practice, especially religious practice. It comes from the Greek words orthos meaning “straight” and praxis meaning “practice” or “action”. In theology and religious studies, orthopraxy contrasts with orthodoxy, which emphasizes correct belief. While orthodoxy addresses beliefs and doctrine, orthopraxy focuses on proper actions and behaviors.
Some key points about orthopraxy:
– The emphasis is on practicing faith correctly rather than just believing correctly. It’s about living out your beliefs in tangible ways.
– In religions like Judaism and Islam, orthopraxy tends to be more emphasized than orthodoxy. Proper religious practices like prayer, dietary laws, rituals etc. are stressed.
– Christianity has traditionally focused more on orthodoxy, right belief, but orthopraxy is still an important component. The Bible calls for both right belief and right living.
– Debates over orthodoxy vs. orthopraxy ask what is more primary – beliefs or practices? Which should come first? Both are interconnected but their relationship varies across religions.
– Some scholars argue Christianity has become too focused on doctrinal orthodoxy while neglecting the orthopraxy emphasis of Jesus’ ministry. He prioritized serving others over just being theologically correct.
The Bible has a lot to say about orthopraxy and gives plenty of instruction on how Christians ought to live and act according to God’s standards. Let’s explore some major biblical principles related to orthopraxy:
# Love God and Love Your Neighbor
The most fundamental ordinance for Christian orthopraxy can be summed up in Jesus’ words in Matthew 22:37-39:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (ESV)
Loving God and loving others should be the motivation for everything we do. Our actions, practices, ethics, behaviors, and conduct should all flow out of a heart of love. Without love, even the noblest deeds are worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
# Faith and Works
A classic debate related to orthopraxy vs. orthodoxy deals with the relationship between faith and works. Which is more important – believing the right things or doing the right things?
The Bible makes it clear that both are essential and interconnected. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26). Our actions should demonstrate the sincerity of our beliefs. At the same time, we are saved by faith alone, not by our good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-10). Our works flow out of our faith but aren’t the basis of our salvation.
As Christians, we shouldn’t get so focused on doctrinal precision that we neglect caring for those in need (James 1:27, Matthew 25:31-46). Nor should we become so preoccupied with social justice that we drift away from sound doctrine and the true gospel (1 Timothy 1:3-7). Right orthodoxy and right orthopraxy must go hand in hand.
# The Fruit of the Spirit
In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…”
This provides a wonderful summary of Christlike attitudes and actions that should be cultivated in our lives by the power of the Spirit. As we walk in the Spirit, His fruit will be evidenced in how we live and relate to others.
The fruit of the Spirit also contrasts sharply with the works of the flesh – sexual immorality, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition etc. (Galatians 5:19-21). Our conduct should be guided by the Spirit, not the flesh.
# The Sermon on the Mount
Nowhere does Jesus describe proper Christian orthopraxy more masterfully than in Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount. He teaches on a variety of practical topics including:
– Anger and reconciliation (Matthew 5:21-26)
– Lust and purity (Matthew 5:27-30)
– Marriage and divorce (Matthew 5:31-32)
– Oaths and honesty (Matthew 5:33-37)
– Non-retaliation and loving enemies (Matthew 5:38-48)
– Giving to the needy (Matthew 6:1-4)
– Prayer (Matthew 6:5-15)
– Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
– Money and possessions (Matthew 6:19-24)
– Worry (Matthew 6:25-34)
– Judging others (Matthew 7:1-6)
– Asking, seeking, knocking (Matthew 7:7-12)
– The narrow way (Matthew 7:13-14)
– False teachers (Matthew 7:15-23)
– Hearing and doing (Matthew 7:24-27)
The Sermon on the Mount forms the constitution for kingdom living. It demonstrates what it looks like for believers to live as citizens of God’s kingdom in a fallen world.
# The One Anothers of Scripture
Dozens of “one another” verses in the New Testament instruct Christians how to interact with fellow believers. Here is just a sampling:
– Love one another (John 13:34)
– Be devoted to one another (Romans 12:10)
– Honor one another (Romans 12:10)
– Live in harmony with one another (Romans 12:16)
– Accept one another (Romans 15:7)
– Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
– Bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
– Be kind and compassionate to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
– Submit to one another (Ephesians 5:21)
– Forgive one another (Colossians 3:13)
– Encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
– Spur one another to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
God’s word gives us instructions for how to live in Christian community together. Our orthopraxy involves treating fellow believers with grace, patience, kindness and love.
# Ethics and Morality
Orthopraxy encompasses ethics and morals – doing good, avoiding evil, and carrying out God’s will. Biblical principles for Christian morality include:
– The 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) – God’s laws for living righteously, avoiding idolatry, murder, theft, sexual immorality, dishonesty etc.
– The 2 Greatest Commandments (Matthew 22:37-40) – Loving God and neighbor covers all other moral directives
– The Golden Rule (Luke 6:31) – Treat others as you want to be treated
– The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) – Allowing godly virtues to guide conduct
– Romans 12 – Living as a sacrifice, blessing enemies, overcoming evil with good
Right actions flow from a heart transformed by God (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Biblical morality exceeds outward conformity to rules and requires inner change.
# Justice, Mercy and Humility
Micah 6:8 gives a succinct summary of what God expects: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Justice means defending the oppressed, marginalized and helpless. Mercy means showing compassion and forgiveness, not getting even. Humility keeps us walking closely with God rather than acting pridefully. This verse encapsulates the lifestyle of moral uprightness and service God desires from His people.
# The Acts of the Apostles
The book of Acts showcases what Christian orthopraxy looked like for the early church. Key practices described include:
– Devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and prayer (Acts 2:42)
– Meeting together, praying, worshiping, eating together (Acts 2:46-47)
– Sharing possessions and resources so no one was needy (Acts 4:32-35)
– Baptizing converts (Acts 2:41; 8:12-13)
– Fulfilling the Great Commission (Acts 1:8) – evangelizing and making disciples
– Planting churches (Acts 14:23)
– Appointing elders (Acts 14:23)
– Strengthening churches (Acts 15:41)
– Celebrating the Lord’s Supper (Acts 20:7)
– Taking relief offerings (Acts 11:27-30)
– Praying together (Acts 12:12)
– Singing hymns (Acts 16:25)
The early Christians devoted themselves to prayer, fellowship, worship, giving, evangelism, discipleship and other practices in obedience to Christ.
# Spiritual Disciplines
Certain spiritual disciplines or practices can help strengthen our faith and cultivate deeper devotion to God. These include:
– Bible reading and meditation (Psalm 1:2)
– Scripture memorization (Psalm 119:11)
– Prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
– Fasting (Matthew 6:16-18)
– Serving and giving to others (Matthew 6:3-4)
– Sabbath rest (Exodus 20:8-11)
– Silent solitude and meditation (Psalm 46:10)
– Journaling and self-reflection
– Worship and music (Colossians 3:16)
Disciplines train us to live intentionally and stay connected to Jesus amidst life’s busyness. They facilitate spiritual growth and transformation into Christlikeness.
In summary, orthopraxy refers to right religious practice and action in contrast to right belief or orthodoxy. The Bible offers abundant principles and instructions for how followers of Christ should live, act, relate to others and carry out God’s will. Loving God and neighbor should motivate all we do. Christian orthopraxy encompasses worship, ethics, service, spiritual disciplines and all aspects of actively living out biblical faith. Right doctrine and right deeds go hand in hand as the fruit of genuine salvation.