Orthodoxy

Orthodoxy (Gr. orthos, 'right,' and doxa, 'an opinion'), a name given by theologians to religious opinions in agreement with Scripture and historical tradition, or rather with the interpretation of these entertained by the particular church to which they themselves happen to belong. While it is true that the great cardinal and essential points of Christian dogma have been preserved by all sections of the Church of Christ, the gravest divergences have also arisen, alike in doctrine and practice, each fortified by an assumed infallible interpretation of the letter of Scripture or the line of historical descent in the usage of the church.—The antithesis of orthodoxy is heterodoxy (heteros, 'other'—i.e. 'wrong,' and doxa, 'opinion').