What is Orthodoxy and Catholicism?
Until the Great Schism of 1054 A.D. the Christian world did not think of itself as divided but as a single faith. Sure there was plenty of diversity but Christendom was the same sport. Different teams playing in the same league. Early church father St. Ignatius gave us the first recorded use of the term catholic. “Catholicus” in Latin and “katholicos” in Greek, it means “universal” and was simply an adjective describing the church “around the world.”
The Greek term “orthodoxos” is the english word orthodox and simply means “the correct opinion.” Just as the religious leaders of Jesus’ day said they were of the “correct” Abrahamic family line. All our modern Christian denominations claim to be the correctunderstanding of Christianity as Jesus originally taught it. To be orthodox is to be correct. And everyone thinks they are correct. Now, if we took a time machine back to the first thousand years of Christianity, none of use could use the terms Baptist, Mennonite, Lutheran or Presbyterian without getting confused frowns. And if we used the words Catholic or Orthodox, we’d be greeted with “of course, all of the Christians around the world have the correct opinion.” Denominations are man made and were not left to us by Christ or His apostles.
Genetics and Denominations
John the Baptist – a famous revolutionary before Christ came on the scene – said to the priests who came from Jerusalem “God can take these stones and make descendants of Abraham,” shutting down their sense of security about their Israelite genetics. Later on, Jesus used a Samaritan as the hero of His story in which Jewish priests were the treacherous cowards. Samaritans were half Jewish, half gentile northerners that mixed Judaism with paganism — which turned the noses of orthodox Jews. A modern day equivalent would be if Jesus told the parable of the Good Mormon to Christians. Mormon theology is one part Christian, one part folk religion, two parts Masonic rituals and a hefty serving of cult; nauseating for mainline Christians. John the Baptist and Jesus’ message was clear: whatever genetics you have or denomination you are trained in, it is of no use to you. There is just the Eternal Creator and you. And you must answer to Him directly, according to the blue print laid out by God Himself during His Incarnation.
A rich Christian’s sarcophagus depicting Jesus and His followers – Rome, Italy – circa 250 A.D.
In the early church, believers began dividing themselves into camps based on their favorite leaders. Paul shut this down immediately, reminding them that Christianity isn’t built on human personalities but on Christ alone:
“For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings?”
— 1 Corinthians 3:4 (NIV)
Paul wasn’t flattered by factions in his name — he rebuked them. The church is called to unity under one Lord, one faith, and one body — not denominations centered on human leaders.
Christ’s teachings define what it means to be part of the entire world’s collection of Christians throughout history. Catholicism. Orthodoxy. Both flow directly from Him.
Our next chunk will cover Jesus choosing of the twelve apostles from outside of Jerusalem’s political and theological capital.
What Christians Believe 