Recently I was privileged to give a talk with my teammates on something I’m deeply passionate about, the early Church and orthodoxy. As we are in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in countries, where Orthodoxy is prevalent, it was important to understand the religious background here and the purpose behind the personal piety of some here.
So here are some highlights of what I talked about on orthodoxy (I use a small “o” here as I’m not referencing the Eastern Orthodoxy church, but a general school of thought.)
1. It is the general consensus of thought in Christian beliefs in the first millennium
Before 1054 AD the Church was one unified body of Christ. This is where the Church agreed upon the essentials of faith and had no division. Those who are orthodox believers try to hold to the traditions and teachings of this era as their was no schism.
2. Scripture is sacred and inspired
2 Timothy 3:16 explains this pretty well, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” It is the basis of all of our theology, doctrine, and faith.
3. The creeds of the first three Ecumenical Councils are affirmed and guides to the faith
The Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Athanasian Creed are the three creeds that hold firm to the essential beliefs of the Christian church of the first millennium.
4. Revering to the early Church Fathers’ writings
As Gospel and New Testament wasn’t in formulation as a written work until about the middle of the 1st Century oral tradition that was passed down from the Apostles and eye witness to Christ where important for the continuation of faith. But, today these writers show insight and interpretations that influence practices and meanings of Scripture. They can help us understand what are the cultural things not being said in the Bible.
5. The Sacraments are an important part of worship and a means of Grace
The Sacraments at a minimum I’m talking about here are Baptism and Holy Eucharist (AKA Holy Communion and Lord’s Supper), but depending on the Church it could include Ordination, Confirmation, Matrimony, Penance, and Anointing of the Sick.
Essentially orthodoxy is a vast topic, but to understand it fully is to understand Christian heritage and tradition as a way of believing and practicing your faith in Christ. It is not here degrade Scripture, but to compliment and further explain the Christian faith.
As I’m writing this I can’t help, but realize some will not believe in all of these points. I for one could do a better job of explaining them. I will apologize for my brevity in explanation as I didn’t want to bore you. I also want note that I’am coming from an Anglican/Methodist background on orthodoxy, there is far much more that can be included if you look at specific practices and churches. These are just a few of the basics to get your feet wet. This is also just a small glimpse and understanding of the Orthodox faith we are seeing in Georgia (the country).
