Article July 5, 1900 Issue

The True Orthodoxy

William P. McKenzie

Grand Rapids (Mich.) Herald

Jesus was a thoroughly practical teacher. Some writers speak of him as visionary, as an amiable dreamer; but far indeed is this from the truth. Jesus, the anointed of God, came illumined with divine light, so that he was able to say, "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." He gave certain signs by which we could recognize orthodoxy whenever we found it. That word goes back, etymologically, to two Greek words, and simply means right thinking, or judging. We recognize that every act is preceded by a thought; consequently all the action that is found in the world among men proceeds from a right basis or a wrong basis. If I am working from a right basis of thought, then my thoughts will be harmonious with all other men who are right thinking. But if my thinking proceed from the basis of a wrong theory, then there will be no possible reconciliation of my actions and thoughts with those of other men. Jesus gave us a series of signs by which we might be able to see where there was right thinking. These signs are universal. He said, if you remember, "These signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Now I would like you to observe that this orthodoxy of which Jesus spoke includes both medicine and theology; it includes both the healing of sickness and the healing of sin. So if you and I come to the point where we are orthodox in Jesus' way, being orthodox, we shall find ourselves in agreement with all men who do right thinking throughout the world; we shall find ourselves able to be well, and able to be righteous. And that understanding will not be gained by going to some one who gives us a drag or a dogma, it will not come by going to some one else for advice, but will be within us. Jesus' words understood are in the hearts of men like a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.

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