The Pursuit of Orthodoxy
This blog post is Part 3 of a series entitled, "Orthodoxy" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: January 22, 2023
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Many years ago, an extremely poor and unknown artist living in Kansas City was working as a mechanic in an auto garage. This same garage was his home. He slept in the back of the garage because he couldn’t afford any other housing. Each night after the garage would close, the artist would set up shop and continue with his drawings. One night while working on his craft, the artist noticed a small mouse run across the garage floor. To see what the mouse would do, he took a few crumbs of bread from his dinner and dropped them on the floor in front of the mouse. The mouse ate the crumbs. For many nights thereafter, the mouse would appear and eat more crumbs. Eventually, the mouse trusted the young man so much, he began to climb into the man’s hands to eat.
The young artist began to sketch drawings of the mouse. It would only be a few years later when the animated version of this mouse, whom the artist named Mickey, would become a household name, receiving more fan letters than any human actor previously in Hollywood and appearing on the screen around the world more so than any previous actor.
The artist... Walt Disney. And of course, the mouse… Mickey Mouse.
Walt Disney was initially turned down by every major film house in Hollywood. So, Mr. Disney decided to chart his own course and persuaded several friends to invest in him... and the mouse. Since 1937, The Walt Disney Company to date has produced 903 feature films, 786 short films, and 118 TV movies. Today the company profits around $60M each day.
Mr. Disney is considered to be one of the true Hollywood non-conformists. He proved the film industry wrong. And he truly is a pioneer who charted his own course... and made a tiny mouse he met in a garage extremely popular in the process.
Today, we live in a world that celebrates non-conformity.
The world says: Rules squelch my freedom. Directions limit my ability to explore. Guidelines are narrow-minded. Proclaiming there is only “one way” is legalistic and biased.
Now, of course, there is something to be said for the thrill of adventure... for charting a new course; blazing a trail to finding one’s purpose and passions and fulfillment.
How ironic: The world says, “Do not conform.” Yet, this in and of itself is exactly:
Conformity... conformity to non-conformity. The pursuit of Orthodoxy creates an immediate tension between a Christian and an ever-shifting world.
Whether your life pursuit is one you would define as a conformist or non-conformist, embracing Orthodoxy doesn’t require you to forfeit any adventure at all!
Following one truth doesn’t limit you to a life of no exploration.
On the contrary:
The Christian life can be the most exhilarating, challenging, and fascinating adventure of humanity.
And... to a society that says, “Don’t conform!”, one of the most rebellious things you can do in a world that celebrates non-conformity is to stand out from the crowd and to love the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Walt Disney was a true non-conformist. So too Jesus.
And in charting His own course, Jesus outlined with His very life the foundational truths that define the Christian faith - - Orthodoxy.
Today we will better grasp an understanding of such a life pursuit.
orthodoxy = The foundational truths that define the Christian faith.
Next week is an important week in the Orthodoxy series. We will begin walking through these very foundational truths that define the Christian faith point-by-point.
But before we begin this detailed exploration, we need to first establish some parameters to help us best digest these truths. Doing so will help us to best apply them to our lives in a world ever-increasingly hostile to such a way of living. Since beginning this series, I have heard from many, many people both within Donelson First and from people across America who follow our stream. I’ve been asked a number of questions about truth and how we are, as Christians, to reconcile the fact that embracing truth will in fact potentially place us at odds with much of the world and possibly even those with whom we share a home.
This is why I am so hopeful that today will be especially helpful if you face such a dilemma.
Jesus spoke to this very reality in Luke 12:49-53.
That’s really hard to digest, isn’t it? Living for truth is divisive!
The journey of discovering truth and then aligning my life with the Orthodoxy of Scripture is really, really hard! Listen – when you align your life with Orthodoxy, you will alienate your life to those not aligned with the same principles. The pursuit of Orthodoxy is super challenging. It forces you and me to examine our lives, our own passions, choices, and struggles, and how we communicate to and love on those who choose to live by a different belief system and quite possibly a different standard of what is truth.
So, before we journey through these foundational principles, I want to make sure we are all on the same page with the answers to these 2 critical questions:
1. Why is Orthodoxy necessary?
2. What will Orthodoxy cost me?
I’ll work to answer both questions with these thoughts:
1. Orthodoxy is worth the pursuit.
Let me give you an example. One foundational truth that defines the Christian faith that we will study in the weeks to come is the Orthodoxy of Jesus being both fully God and fully man while on earth. There are more than 100 passages in Scripture that support this foundational truth.
Our human nature can have difficulty digesting this one, because it makes no sense to humans, outside of faith, that Jesus Christ, being fully God, could come to earth and maintain his Lordship becoming a man.
In the year AD 357, the Church was in a furious debate over exactly this - - the truth that, while on Earth, Jesus Christ was both fully God and fully man.
In an attempt to bring this question to a resolution, leaders of the Church came together at the Council of Sirmium. Sirmium was a city in the Roman province of Pannonia, located on the Sava River, in the region of modern-day Serbia.
Their conclusion: The nature of Christ is glorious beyond words, so we choose to refrain from declaring the details of the identity of Jesus Christ. The Council of Sirmium, Sirmium, AD 357
At first glance this sounds like a decent response. I agree - - “The nature of Christ is glorious.” However, it’s the second part of their statement I find to be so troubling. Essentially these Church leaders concluded the meetings of this Council by stating, “We don’t trust Scripture to lead us with this one. So, we will choose to say, “We don’t know.” Here’s the problem with such a conclusion: When I say, “I don’t know,” rather than “I choose to have faith,” I leave open the door to heresy.” Some truths of Scripture, from a human perspective, are difficult to receive and believe and embrace.
I believe Paul understood we would potentially have such struggles with the Bible. This is why he wrote in Hebrews 11:
Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1
Paul actually continues for 39 additional verses discussing this very challenge - - applying faith when examining the Scriptures in order to take God at His word!
The journey of discovery requires faith. When I ignore, do not accept, or become dissatisfied with the truth of Scripture, I then embrace heresy.
Even when dealing with topics that aren’t fully articulated in the way we hope or desire in the Scriptures, we cannot allow a lack of information or answers to surpass or supplant our faith.
The Council of Sirmium chose to allow human reasoning into the equation rather than the discovery of truth found in God’s holy Word.
Sadly, the posture of many in the church today mirrors the findings of this council. Some people believe that in order to maintain unity, we should just agree to disagree or even worse, just simply remain silent on the matter of truth. Many want to believe that on issues where the Bible isn’t clear or complicated, we should appeal to ignorance, silence, or worse... leave the door open to heresy.
Did Jesus come so that we might remain silent, embrace ignorance, or choose not to debate in order to remain united? Absolutely not.
As a Christian, I should never stop pursuing Orthodoxy – the truth.
Yes, the Bible is complex. Yes, there are many questions that arise as we examine the Scriptures and our hearts, and our world. And yes, personally and selfishly, there are areas of Scripture where I would prefer God had offered us more. But, unlike these early Church leaders who just simply “gave up” on the pursuit of truth, we cannot.
Scripture never grants me permission to stop the pursuit of truth.
2. Orthodoxy is not “my truth.”
I made this statement two weeks ago... As a Christian, I am to be a: Truth seeker. Truth protector.
I did NOT include in this statement that I am to be a “Truth creator.” I am not to be a Truth creator.
A popular saying as of late: “Speak your truth” or “Find your truth.” Such expressions imply that truth is selective or is defined by a perspective unique to me. This is completely false.
Truth is not “my” choice to define.
One of the questions I am hopeful these truths answer today is: What will Orthodoxy cost me?
Orthodoxy will cost me “my truth!”
God has already established the truth boundaries.
Many people try and write their own boundaries. The problem with this: When I try and re-write the boundaries, eventually the boundaries I draw no longer satisfy, and I continue pushing the boundaries further and further and further away from the truth.
Boundaries exist to protect me, not to constrict me.
As a Christian, my journey is not about defining truth. My journey is to discover the truth.
Truth has already been defined. Truth is timeless. It doesn’t change regardless of circumstances, or situations. Truth isn’t up for debate.
We are going to see this in the weeks to come as we examine a multitude of Orthodox statements including...
Orthodoxy truths:
The creation of the world. Jesus Christ as both fully God and fully man. The virgin birth. The crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The workings of the Holy Spirit. The forgiveness of sins. The life eternal for the Christ follower. There is a right and a wrong that I am to follow. And more and more.
3. The truth boundaries help to better reveal heresy.
If you have seen any movie or picture highlighting or depicting the life of Julius Caesar, you probably have seen a man who, upon his head, has rested a laurel wreath. Julius Caesar only reigned as the Emperor of Rome for 2 years – from 46-44 BC. During these times, it was believed to be true that one who wore a laurel wreath on his head did so as a sign of power and victory.
But in actuality, Caesar wore the wreath to cover his balding head. Once he took the reign as Emperor, few people ever saw him in public without the wreath adorning his head.
Interestingly, the name Caesar is Latin for “a beautiful head of hair.”
Caesar was so bothered by his baldness that, during his affair with Cleopatra, she recommended he try her own patent for baldness - - a concoction made from burned mice, bear grease, horse’s teeth, and deer poop to be rubbed on his head each day. Obviously, it wasn’t very effective!
Caesar never got his hair back once going bald! And eventually, the laurel wreath served to hold in place his fake hair, giving the impression his hair had returned.
When I read this story this week, I found this to be interesting just how far the Emperor went in disguising the truth of his lack of hair using, of all things, a laurel wreath sitting upon his head!
There are many “laurel wreaths” of today perfectly positioned to disguise lies as truth, especially as it relates to moral, ethical, and spiritual boundaries outlined in Scripture.
Culture encourages us to continue resisting any boundaries, particularly those in the Bible!
The world says, “Resist. Fight. Push the boundaries. Find your freedom! Chart your own path!” There are many, many passages where we are warned of those who will resist Scriptural boundaries and the lies that will come up against the Church.
There is the time when Jesus is sitting with His disciples on the Mount of Olives, and He warns:
Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, I am the Messiah, and will deceive many. Matthew 24:4-5
The same was happening in the Church of Galatia. And Paul spoke against it:
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really no gospel at all. Evidently, some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Galatians 1:6-9
For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach - and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Titus 1:10-11
Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings... Hebrews 13:9a
And listen to this powerful warning Paul gives to heresy and false teachings:
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17-18
THIS is why we spend so much time in Scripture at Donelson First. The more we are in the Word, the more we are able to clearly see the heresy of the Word.
Staying within the boundaries of Orthodoxy is truly what frees me! And, once I discover the truth, I am then better able to confront lies; to see falsehood for what it is – the heresy of Orthodoxy!
4. Truth is attractive.
Ask: Do non-Christians want to spend time with me? Jesus was truth. He never, ever hid what He believed, who He was, and what His intentions were while on Earth.
And, as a result, people constantly sought Jesus.
Some sought to question Him. Others sought to simply touch Him. And, yes, some to kill Him.
I believe this to be true:
Living a life of truth is attractive to both believers and haters. Believers seek me to talk about the Christian walk. Haters seek me to talk about the Christian walk.
The two conversations may differ, but the point still stands:
When I live for truth, I get the attention of the world... for one reason or another. If I am not being sought, I am probably not living for the truth.
5. The burden is on me to know Orthodoxy.
If you were with us, or if you watched the archive of Part 2 of the Orthodoxy series, then you probably recall the Orthodoxy origin passage in Deuteronomy where Moses says to the people of God:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:5-8
These words are not a suggestion or a recommendation. Instead, these words make it clear:
The burden is on me to know these truths of Orthodoxy. Not to condemn me, but to change me.
And not just for change's sake. But so that I then can be a life of Orthodoxy to the world!
< 29% of Americans say, “I rely on my faith when making a moral decision.” Most Americans are just as likely to rely on other people (30%), or on their own personal beliefs, feelings or experiences when making an important moral decision (31%). < 15% of Americans ages 18 to 29 say, “I turn to the Bible for moral guidance in my life.” 44% of 19-29’s cite “no religion” as their personal religious preference.
1 in 4 American adults (59 million) has converted from religious to non-religious (Nonverts).
Church... does this burden you? It does me! And it should burden you too!
As Jesus said: You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32
6. Heresy requires the Christian to defend the truth.
My hope for us as a Church is that, as we move through this series and become more knowledgeable of Orthodoxy, we too become more impassioned to fight for truth. I do not like conflict. I do not want to fight with anyone. I’d much rather live in a world where we sip iced tea together, maybe from time to time enjoy some chips & salsa at Cinco and spend the day telling stories of fish bigger than the ones we actually reel in!
The Church should not be afraid to defend the truth of Orthodoxy. We should be afraid when the Church stops fighting to defend the truth of Orthodoxy.
There is no way around this. Look at what John recorded that Jesus said about the fight against heresy:
John 15:18-21
John 16:1-4
Loyalty to the truth of the gospel places me at odds with the world.
Now, of course... my goal as a Christ-follower is not to incite conflict.
How do I reconcile this quandary - wanting to be a defender of truth yet too wanting to be compassionate to one who potentially lives differently, loves differently, marries differently, and defines truth differently than I do as a Christ follower?
You know this... conversations can become heated quickly... When engaging with a co-worker about the right or wrong of same-sex marriage… When talking with a college roommate about whether or not sex outside of marriage is a big deal… When the family reunion conversation turns from “How is work and how are the kids?” to “What’s really wrong with abortion, legalizing marijuana, divorce, and many other cultural hot topics of the day”…
As we discussed last week - - How do we, rather than “ignore” or “shift,” choose to return to Orthodoxy when our witness, friendship, or family unity is on the line? After all... When you choose to stand for truth, the potential is quite high that taking such a stand might very well damage a fragile relationship with one who opposes the Orthodoxy of Christianity.
I have thought about this very real quandary all week... Let me first say that I know every situation and every dilemma and every conversation with those who disagree with Scripture is unique. And, I too understand, there is no doubt that what I am about to offer you isn’t a quick answer nor an “always successful” remedy.
But I have come to this extremely important conclusion:
I am best positioned to expose the lies of the world and to advocate for Orthodoxy while also maintaining a relationship with those who oppose my views by giving the world what the world does not have: Christ resurrected. You see, I am of the belief...
The resurrection changes everything. We have to begin at the resurrection. Because...
Without the resurrection, there is no Orthodoxy.
Without the resurrection, it doesn't matter upon which side one lands. Without the empty tomb, and the risen Christ, nothing else matters.
Now, this does not mean that we avoid all other conversations. Because we do not. And again, this does not mean that every heated conversation will end in agreement. Because it will not.
But we have to begin at the beginning. And the beginning is this: Unless hearing and believing that Jesus gave His life for me and then defeated death through the resurrection, the world will never make sense of, nor be able to fully comprehend, God’s plan for marriage, sexual identity, divorce, money, politics, racism, social justice, environmental issues, euthanasia, taking care of the poor, and on and on and on!
Defending Orthodoxy is proclaiming:
I am guilty as a sinner and deserve eternal separation from God. Jesus, as both fully God and fully man, lived a sinless life while on earth. Jesus died. Jesus was resurrected. Jesus offers me a second chance through a personal relationship with Him.
If I believe in Him and choose to give my life to Him, Jesus saves me and offers me eternity with Him in heaven. This is Orthodoxy. Anything other than this is heresy. The only solution for sin... the only fix for falsehood... the only hope for heresy... The resurrected Christ.
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.