Western Christianity can be generalized into one word – orthodoxy. We are very astute at telling people what we believe; it is as much a gift as it is a crutch. The dissonance occurs when our actions nullify our words. It is as though we have forgotten the reason for our orthodoxy, which is of course our orthopraxy.
Yes these are big words found in seminary textbooks, but nonetheless useful in defining our state of ineffectiveness. Christ encouraged those he taught to believe and act, His teachings centered around love and the outpouring of our belief in the love He has for us will enable us to pour out love on to the needy, the orphan, the sick and the poor.
Orthodoxy should influence orthopraxy or in layman’s terms – belief should influence practice.
