Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy

Recently a wonderful conversation brought up the mention of orthodoxy and orthopraxy. The Christian religion, especially the Roman Catholic faith, stresses the need for orthodoxy. But some are calling on a need for orthopraxy to be at least as important, if not more important, than orthodoxy. The comment has given me much food for thought.

First, orthodoxy deals with what we believe. Literally translated, it means right thinking. Here we have the teaching of the church, its theology, it's laws, etc. We know that the Roman church is very given to explicit concepts, concepts it expects the faithful to accept.

Orthopraxy is right living. It deals with actions, with following a creed by your way of life, by example.

While thinking of these two concepts, it occurred to me that Jesus never said, "Obey me" but "follow me".

I'm not saying that both are not important. But it is always the tendency for us to give one thing too much importance and neglect the other.

And, you can see how the pounding of the need for orthodoxy tends to divide.

I'd be interested in your views.