Humble Orthodoxy

A common misconception among Christian believers is that devoting oneself to the study and practice of the truth leads to arrogance and insensitivity. Christians who study doctrines are usually viewed as insensitive, arrogant and self-gratifying separatists.

If you study the truth at an intellectual level, I do not contest that you will indeed end up as an arrogant, insensitive separatist who cares more about intellectual glory than the Kingdom of God. However, if you study the truth and at the same time, embrace it with a practicing heart, then self-denial, humility and zeal for God would be the concluding effects. Genuine orthodoxy results to godly effects, not man-centered defects.

It is understandable if non-believers or seeker-sensitive "Christians" alike disregard the orthodox way. We know that these people do not uphold the Gospel and are therefore not truly saved by the grace of our Lord Jesus. They are mere self-esteem buffers, not Gospel hardened folk who act in accordance to the Spirit's bidding. They water down the Gospel into some sort of special formula to success on this earth. In return, they get emotional movements instead of genuine conversions. Their places of gathering are empty buildings filled with empty men who think they're rich. Their pulpits are nothing more but market stools for negotiating the truth. I would understand if these kind of people refute the study of doctrines or the strict practice of it. Their adherence is not to the truth but the wisdom of the world. But if true, born again Christians do not have the desire to indulge themselves in the truth of God, then we know there's a problem.

Studying the truth, living it and representing it constitute the Christian walk. And the more we explore the buried truths of Scripture, the more we find ourselves humbled before God. Unless you are merely studying the truth with an intellectual passion and an egocentric purpose of self elevation, it is impossible to remain arrogant or apathetic after embracing the offense of the Gospel. Every doctrine branches out from the Gospel, from the depravity of man down to God's justice, mercy and sovereign grace. Even the doctrines of the deity and the humanity of Christ are clearly exposed in It.

Orthodoxy gives birth to self-denial, repentance and humility. Most importantly, it reveals the infinite glory of the Triune God. A seeker of truth who finds and grasps the Gospel's meaning cannot help but deny his very existence and marvel at the greatness of the everlasting God of Scripture. Is there any room for arrogance to grow? No. Is there any ground for man to be given credit? No. Man is but a slave of its Creator. He is either given into the pleasures of his depravity or thrown on the foot of the Cross. The truth speaks of the glory of God alone, not of man. Although man, upon conversion, is undeservingly rewarded and given the great privilege of being a part of God's glorious reign, these are all done for the glory of His Name. This is what "humble orthodoxy" is all about.

All misconceptions about the pursuit of doctrines, radical conformity or the "legalistic" orthodox ways are nothing more but ill-fated attempts to drown the truth of Christ. To devote oneself to the truth and find himself denied but satisfied that his God is given the utmost glory is the essence of humble orthodoxy. In addition, speaking such hard truth in the spirit of love, not of arrogance or anger is a foreseeable outcome of the denied but satisfied believer. Amen to God, the Cause and End of humble orthodoxy.