Orthodoxy vs. Orthopraxis

I'm reading The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne right now. If you haven't read this yet--get a copy, read it and then pass it along so others can too.

In chapter six he refers to a paradigm enlargening that needs to happen--from orthodoxy (right thinking, right believing) to orthopraxis (right living, right practices). So often we are caught up in telling people what we believe but lack any discussion about how we live based on those beliefs.

I wrote these words a couple of months ago with hopes that I would be able to finish it with the same line of thinking that I began it with. I'll close similarily, but not quite in same rhythm...

Perhaps what we need is not a change from one thing to the other. I have a growing allergic reaction to the "reactionary" way in which young leaders so frequently choose to respond. It's as though we go through cycle after cycle of generations where the younger generation flips off the older generation and the older generation pegs the younger one as arrogant and care-free.

I had a conversation with a friend the other day. We were discussing how perhaps what the world needs is not another "flavor" or "style" or "brand" of "worship" but for the younger generation to see itself as a Joshua/Caleb and the older generation to see itself as a Moses. It is unlikely that Joshua and Caleb flipped off Moses and told him that he was doing everything wrong. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Moses wrote Joshua and Caleb off as arrogant and care-free. Instead and most likely, Joshua and Caleb sought to learn from Moses and Moses sought to learn from Joshua and Caleb.

We have got to stop swining from one side of the pendulum to the other. To give up orthodoxy for orthopraxis would be destructive. To hold on to orthodoxy with no orthopraxis would be legalistic. To ignore those that have gone before us would be so unwise. For them to peg us as arrogant and care-free would be counter-productive.

To learn from each other--to greet each other with a kiss--to serve each other--to forgive each other--to submit to one another--to bear each other's burdens--to listen to each other--to learn from each other--to love each other--to not react--but to really listen for the rhythm of Jesus. That may be the form that obedience takes right now.