Is Truth and orthodoxy important in Divinity?

[Pilgrim Simon]

We often hear the phrase 'God is Truth'.

What is truth in this context? Does God transcend the polarity of truth/untruth?

What is orthodoxy? Who decides and how? Is it necessary in order to approach God or are orthodoxy and orthopraxis merely outdated forms?

 

[Rev. Smith]

We often hear the phrase 'God is Truth'.

What is truth in this context? Does God transcend the polarity of truth/untruth?

What is orthodoxy? Who decides and how? Is it necessary in order to approach God or are orthodoxy and orthopraxis merely outdated forms?

God is truth is a very subtle, many layered assertion. At its surface it is a simple assertion of the truth of the statement "I AM", a little deeper that God embodies the very essence of the concept of "truth", that in God the very essence of being, without subterfuge or obscuring concepts, rests.

Peeling yet another layer we find orthodoxy - that in God IS truth, the promise that the way of God is truth.

So is orthodoxy necessary? Perhaps not, in that we can find proof in the exception; throughout history holy men and women have lived saintly lives of faith, devotion and good works without the instruction of religion. Yet it seems to me that those people are rare, and noteworthy for their rareness.

I may find the route to a freinds house that I've never been too before based on instinct and some general guideance, but I'm far more likely to find the place I seek with a good map and a good set of directions. Feeling my way along with only the map, or only the direcdtions will probably get me there after a wrong turn or two, but I'll get there. Armed with both map and directions I have the surest path to sucess. Orthodooxy is the set pof directions, even as scripture is the map.

Some will seek God alone, in their own heart and mind. Some will use only the map, the Bible and for most of us the journey is most complete and joyful with both map and directions.

So, I don't think that religion and Church are ready to be consigned to the dustbin, but as in evey age - we must bring them into currency with truth and knowledge.

As to who gets to decide, that my friend is why we have so many denominations - because we can't agree on who,or even how, orthodoxy may be determined. I don't see that as a bad thing, diversity in worship ensures that everyone who seeks God will find a path that they can tread. Since Christ taught that we are to follow him by loveing God,loveing our fellow man and keeping the commandments, any creed that holds to that truth isorhodox enough to be a good guide on the path for its people.

 

[Pilgrim Simon]

A nice answer....But it begs two immediate questions in my mind...

Are there places where God is not, where God is absent?

Are non Christian religions a wrong turn?

 

[Rev. Smith]

A nice answer....But it begs two immediate questions in my mind...

Are there places where God is not, where God is absent?

The question of a transcendent God, if God is omnipresent, then no - there is no place that God isn't. Yet I've studied the scriptures and find no revelation of God as to that nature. We assert that God is omnipotent, but God only asserts that He is mighty. We assert that God is omnipresent, but God only asserts that he knows; knows when a sparrow falls, knows our hearts, knows us in the womb.

The God of the hebrews seems to me to be different from the god of the greeks, so my answer is -I don't know.

Are non Christian religions a wrong turn?

Most Christians assert this, and i think that many religions are a wrong turn. The problem with Wicca is that it is undedifying, created by man to fill a need of man. Other, I'm not so certain. Who are the "other sheep" Christ spoke of, the ones his apostles knew nothing about? The Mormons think its them, so do others.

St.Paul taught that the rightious pagen who discerns God in his heart and has the Law in that manner, may not call the name of Jesus (haveing never heard it) but shall be deemed rightiuos none the less.

By their fruits shall you know them may apply to all men, and all creeds. Those that are moral and consistant with God's will and the law of Christ will edify and bring man to a mercy in judgement, those that are crafted in defiance of God,won't.

 

[Pilgrim Simon]

St.Paul taught that the rightious pagen who discerns God in his heart and has the Law in that manner, may not call the name of Jesus (haveing never heard it) but shall be deemed rightiuos none the less.

Sufi Mystic Ibn al arabi taught something similar...except of course it was the Prophet who was pointed to and not Christ...For al Arabi...all religions were from God.