What is Orthodoxy: Introducing a Series
It's only been a few months since my wife and I decided to convert to Orthodoxy. But ever since then, we've found ourselves crossing paths with old acquaintances from high school, college, or previous churches we'd attended, and inevitably while we're exchanging pleasantries and catching up on the most recent events of our lives, our conversion to Orthodoxy comes up. And that news is very often followed by a very simple yet complex question: What is Orthodoxy? The questions sounds simple, but I've found it is one of the most difficult questions for me to answer, particularly for Protestants. Not only is it nearly impossible to explain what Orthodoxy is within the categories, vocabulary, and experiences of Protestantism, but it seems that every person who asks "What is Orthodoxy?" has a different question in mind. Some may be curious about what Orthodoxy believes theologically, and often with pre-established misconceptions about Orthodox theology and faith. Others are wondering what Orthodoxy looks like, what it would look and feel like walking into an Orthodox service on a Sunday morning to worship. Others, still, are just trying to figure out how to understand all the different kinds of Orthodox churches they keep seeing -- Greek, Russian, Coptic, Assyrian (and more) -- and why there's so many of these. This singular question -- What is Orthodoxy? -- can mean any number of things to each person. And far from being insignificant, these small concerns and questions people have about Orthodoxy are both valid and valuable.
As a result, I've decided dedicate some time to answering that question here. Instead of trying to tackle all of the answer at once, however, I've chosen to publish a series of posts answering the various parts of this important question. That way I can deal with various topics in detail while also being concise. My first post will serve as a brief answer to the question of what Orthodoxy is historically and how we can understand it in relationship to Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. The second post will focus on the externals of Orthodoxy: how different "kinds" of Orthodoxy exist as one Orthodox Church and what that diversity and unity looks like practically. The third post will focus on Orthodox belief. Then the fourth and final post of the series will focus on bringing everything together in a simple, cohesive manner and offering some final, personal thoughts on the question of "What is Orthodoxy?" In addition to the main content of each post you can also expect a short list of key question and answers relating to the post's focus, and a list of some definitions that may be useful to those who have had little exposure to Orthodoxy (or traditions similar to Orthodoxy like Roman Catholicism and Anglicanism) and are not familiar with some terms I'll be using. You can expect these posts to come about once very week.
Lastly, closing out this little introduction, I would like to say that my hope for this little series is to both affirm and engage the sincere question at hand (What is Orthodoxy?) and give due respect to those who truly wish to understand more about the Orthodox faith-- whether out of doubt, curiosity, or possibly a desire to convert. And I believe the best way for me to do just that is to talk about Orthodoxy truthfully and unapologetically as an Orthodox, meaning that some beliefs may be stated quite frankly, and there may even be occasions where I speak directly against an idea or belief of a tradition like Protestantism. Please know that these statements are not intended to offend unnecessarily or to tear down and demean others. Rather, my intent is to be honest and open. In my opinion, that's the least you deserve as my readers. That being said, I also pray that my honesty and openness may be accompanied with great charity -- something which, lamentably, is often lacking among Orthodox converts when speaking with non-Orthodox, particularly Protestants -- for without it, I speak in vain.
And with that there is nothing left for me to say! I can't wait to begin!