Monthly Archives: January 2010

Elizabeth Gilbert is brilliant!

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Elizabeth Gilbert lived in amazing places. Italy! India! Indonesia! And where does she choose to set up housekeeping with her new hubby ? Care to take a guess?

Elizabeth Gilbert, NewJersey

New Jersey. Ha. Take that nay-sayers. Not only is Gilbert planted in my Garden State, but she’s right here in my part of the Delaware Valley.

Elizabeth Gilbert, Frenchtown

We’re practically neighbors. I could bump into her at the IGA or the coffee shop or she might come to my church. (Errr. She’s probably not coming to church) Hey, how cool is it that after exploring an exotic place like Southeast Asia, it’s my unassuming little patch of Earth that she decides to call home.

Brilliant choice of real estate investing, Liz. Welcome, welcome.

Today I finished  Gilbert’s latest book,  Committed: A Skeptic Makes Peace with Marriage and this week I will be sharing my thoughts.

Have you read it? Do you plan on reading Committed?

Let’s discuss it together.

Doctrine, theology and . . . orthodoxy?

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Dug Down Deep by Joshua Harris

The word orthodoxy literally means “right opinion.” In the context of Christian faith, orthodoxy is shorthand for getting your opinion or thoughts about God right. It is teaching and beliefs based on the established, proven, cherished truths of the faith.

(page 14, Dug Down Deep)

Orthodoxy.

It’s mentioned frequently in Dug Down Deep (Unearthing What I Believe and Why it Matters) by Joshua Harris. (Much thanks to the publisher for my free copy.) When I think of the term orthodoxy, I immediately think of the Brian D. McLaren book, A Generous Orthodoxy, a somewhat-controversial book (From what I know of it, as I have yet to read it. My library doesn’t have it, and when I once requested it from BookSwim, it was a no-go. Boohoo.)

Harris was raised in the Evangelical church, so I was surprised to see him using the term so liberally in his latest book.

On the back cover:

. . . seemingly worn-out words like theology, doctrine, and orthodoxy were the pathway to the mysterious, awe-filled experience of truly knowing the living Jesus Christ.

And:

. . . orthodoxy isn’t just for old men but for anyone who longs to behold a God who is bigger and more real . . .

Interesting.

Skeptical Monica doesn’t like this word one bit. Sorry, Josh. Aren’t doctrine and theology enough? Must we Evangelicals take on orthodoxy too?

To me – the great Bible scholar that I am *wink* – orthodoxy is the tradition of men. And this Christian ain’t too keen on the traditions. Just give me Jesus and his Word.

Thoughts? Opinions? Disgust I would dare mention such serious topics on my normally lighthearted blog?

What does the word orthodox mean to you?