Orthopraxy was a term first coined in the 1970s by liberation theologians. Emergent folk keep thinking they're doing something new, when they are really picking up much from earlier movements in a very eclectic fashion.

I just want to echo Michael's statement. Orthopraxy is a term with a long history. I guess it's become such a part of our lexicon that when people come across it they think it's theirs even though it probably snuck up on it.

I think it is "new" if most of the Christian philosophy that you've encountered has been heavily focused on orthodoxy instead.

The little exposure I had to orhtopraxy during my childhood was in relation to correct lithurgy. The othopraxy that I've encountered recently through the emergent church is less about nailing (pardon the pun) the correct lithurgy and more about shifting focus to community, politics, and character transformation rather than beliefs and morality.

Orthopraxy has definitely been de-emphasized in most evangelical churches. This is why we see kids commit apostasy the second they go into college (not apostasy by belief, but by behavior). They in no way behave as Christians ought to, nor as Christ did. William Wilberforce (the guy in Amazing Grace the movie) whom I have come to admire wrote a book called Practical Christianity. I'm sure you would enjoy reading something that echoes with some of the emergent churches emaphsis, but with historicity.
However, here is what he said about a shift (too far) to orthopraxy,
"The fatal habit of considering christian moral as distinct from Christian doctrines insensibly gained strength. thus the peculiar doctrines of Christianity went more and more out of sight, and as might naturally have been expected, the moral system itself also began to wither and decay, being robbed of that which should have supplied it with life and nutriment." - William Wilberforce

Danutz,

Thanks for commenting on my blog. You provided alot of clarification. I was thinking about the necesity of Christians, despite theological or orthodoxical (sp?) opinions, to still work together to better the world and the name of Christ. Why not? But with the differences in orthodoxy there are going to be differences in what we are going to act on, maybe even how we are going to practice our faith. As for the things we agree on, why shouldn't we work together?
Don't you think that there are theological differences that will come out as divisions in practice?

I definately think there will be differences in our decisions about how to "act". That is why I've gravitated to my particular beliefs which devalue after-life. As I have more and more began to devalue the supernatural ideas of after-life and supernatual theism, I have begun to find more of a draw toward making the kingdom a reality in this life. That means more interest in politics as an important role in building God's kingdom on earth. It also means I personally accept more responsibility rather than hoping that God will supernaturally fix things.

I wonder why someone like your buddy William Wilberforce would have cared much about freeing slaves. What difference would it make if this life is just a drop in the bucket of eternal time? It seems that traditional orthodoxy "tends" to lead you down that train of thought (I don't mean it always has to). Just get them to say the sinner's prayer then chain them back up. God will help them in the next life.

I don't argue that that is an orthodox viewpoint, I'm just saying that over history the supernatural theist viewpoint has helped people draw that conclusion. You have agree that many have used that view to support that type of action.

"Now this is eternal life: that they you know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." - John 17:3

Yea, I think eternal life is more than just something that will happen after we die, its something that starts now - with believing in Christ. I'm starting a book, actually written by Wilberforce, its called Real Christianity. He supposedly talks about how Christianity needs to be an expression of our beliefs, not just a dormant belief in the back of mind like those who get chained up after the sinner's prayer. I'm interested to see the connection between his beliefs and actions (despite the obvious of his abolitionist efforts). I'll let you know how it goes.

I once heard the phrase "All truth is God's truth." I like this, but sometimes think Christians (especially postmodern, emergent, or whatever other trendy word can describe us) tend to lose focus on Christ. God has given us a masterpiece of art to gaze upon, and sometimes we get distracted by other seeming truths in the periphery. To quote Bruce Lee, "It's like a finger pointing away to the moon- don't look at the finger or you'll miss all the heavenly glory!" God has revealed Himself in Jesus Christ and through Scripture- getting caught up in any tradition (whether it's churchy legalism or hip and trendy eastern philosophy) we can truly miss the beauty of Christ and the cross.

In the book "Seeing God in the Ordinary," Christian author and teacher Michael Frost notes the difference between eastern philosophies and true Biblical relationship with Christ: statues of Buddhas are often depicted with eyes closed, when in actuality it's true faith that opens our eyes! May we as Christians return to the state of awe as we gaze on Christ!

Scripture warns "...avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless" (Titus 3:4, also see 1 Timothy 1).

I'm writing as a follower of Jesus Christ, lover of the Bible, and a pastor: I've seen too many folks be carried away...be careful.

Knowlege gives answers while wisdom asks questions. Just be sure to ask the questions to the right person- namely Jesus.

oh yeah...it's jeremy from The WELL (www.thewellaugusta.org)

check out my blog: www.reverendrockstar.com

Hi Jeremy. From one recovering rock star to another, I'm glad you wandered onto my blog.

I've been keeping my eye on you guys at the well. I wish you still had that cool video on your church's web site. It was the best thing that I've ever seen from a church site. Plus it was interesting to actually hear a couple of the same people that I had shared my faith with over the years end up answering questions about God in a video. I obviously didn't do a very good job!

Since this issue of orthopraxis has come up, I should point out the Vatican's decision to censure Jon Sobrino, one of the last of those early Liberation Theologians who have defined the term both in words and practice. He is getting censured for his supposed lack of "orthodoxy." The LA Times has been carryig articles on this, which can be found on my blog.