What Happened to Biblical Orthodoxy?

 

The question “What happened to biblical orthodoxy?” is a complex question. It implies “something happened”, and to be honest, most people reading this now are probably struggling with other questions, such as “What is biblical orthodoxy” and possibly “why should I care?”. So, let’s start there.


What is Biblical Orthodoxy, and Why Should I Care?

BibleHub provides a very nice description of orthodoxy below:

In a general sense, “Orthodoxy” refers to right or correct belief, drawn from the Greek words orthos (“straight” or “correct”) and doxa (“belief” or “glory”). Within Christian context, it denotes the set of doctrines historically affirmed by the Church and tested by Scripture (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”). Throughout history, “Orthodoxy” has been shaped by essential creeds-such as the Nicene Creed (A.D. 325) - which define foundational Christian tenets, including the full deity of Christ, His bodily resurrection, and the Trinity…

Scripture remains the ultimate standard for evaluating which beliefs are considered orthodox. As Jude 1:3 says, “Contend earnestly for the faith entrusted once for all to the saints.” Historic statements, such as those by the early Church Fathers and their successors, consistently appeal to biblical authority in defining what is orthodox belief. 

Taking this further, Biblical Orthodoxy refers to the right or correct belief about the Bible so that doctrinal understanding does not get twisted. Historically, denominations have tried to maintain an orthodoxy on their doctrines, basing it upon Scripture and sometimes supplementing the Bible with either tradition or historical information. Without Biblical Orthodoxy, new doctrines emerge that are counter to Scripture, and without biblical literacy, these false doctrines remain unchallenged, leading people astray.

Did Something Happen to Biblical Orthodoxy?

I’ll try not to over-simply this but suffice to say: something did happen to biblical orthodoxy. Man happened. I don’t want to call out any particular denomination, describing what they did wrong, but I need to acknowledge that part of the problem can be found in denominations themselves. Historically, many denominations find their origin story emerging from discovering a church’s doctrine does not align with Scripture. It often starts with someone asking questions and ends with a parting of ways. The denomination tends to hang onto the doctrine, offering creative arguments that explain how others should view the Bible rather than questioning the and possibly refining the doctrine. It seems that people would often prefer to be “right” rather than refine their own belief system. Meanwhile, the challenger can sometimes jump to a new biblical understanding that may or may not be correct, and rally others behind a new doctrinal banner.

The problem is mankind and our prideful stubbornness. The historical solution has been the commitment of Christian denominations to hold onto their biblically based doctrines so that they did not easily change. This has served the positive purpose of at least maintaining some level of orthodoxy and providing a consistent perspective on the Bible.

But the growth of non-denominational churches and the mega-church operating model has left a void in orthodox, biblical teaching. Sermons have become teachings and have started to look more like Ted Talks with an occasional nod toward Scripture verses in order to supplement the message. Teaching started to target unchurched people and steered away from terms or topics that were not “seeker-friendly”. As a result, deeper discipleship-making activities were pushed into backrooms, and some portions of the Bible were avoided as being potentially controversial or divisive rather than teaching all of the Bible (aka – the full counsel of God).

But the great commission was to make disciples and teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded. (Matt28:19-20) Our new, Ted-Talk Christianity leaves a void that literally opens the door for doctrines of demons. There are even “Christian” leaders who advocate an understanding of God that evolves as culture evolves, where Scripture can be interpreted differently and ultimately updated to meet the changing needs of a humanity that is evolving.

There are also Christian leaders who ridicule those who look to the Scriptures to understand the times in which we live with a hope in the fulfillment of biblical prophecy, but by their words and actions they become the very thing predicted by Peter. (See2 Peter 3) They fail to see the significance of modern day Israel or perhaps have an unbiblical understanding of how we should treat Israel.

So let me ask: What is the point when pastors steer away from teaching the whole Bible so they can keep the seek-sensitive crowd happy and entertained on a weekly basis? What is the point of baptizing new believers if we aren’t going to fully disciple them in all that Jesus commanded? What is the point of going to a church if it revolves around a feels-good, Ted Talk, Christianity that doesn’t understand the significance of Israel or biblical prophecy? Why would we avoid biblical prophecy when it is almost 1/3 of the Bible? Did the church fathers make a mistake when they included that extra, prophetic material in Scripture?

In answer, I’ll leave you with 2 Peter chapter 3. I have bolded certain text so that Peter’s answer stands out as reference to what I’ve written above.

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

Final Words

14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. 15 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, 16 as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. 17 You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. 18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

copyright ©2026 Mitchell Malloy (http://mitchellmalloyblogspot.com/)

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