Humble Orthodoxy:  Holding the truth high without putting people down by Joshua Harris  effectively navigates the challenge of presenting biblical truth with a loving and humble spirit.  He describes “humble orthodoxy” as follows:  “we must care deeply about truth, and we must also defend and share this truth with compassion and humility” (p. 5).  He reveals our motive is not to simply win an argument but rather to win others to the truth.

The author has a strong emphasis on grace as he writes, “The message of Christian orthodoxy isn’t that I’m right and someone else is wrong.  It’s that I am wrong and yet God is filled with grace” (p. 19).  He writes that the passion of the pursuit of biblical orthodoxy must be, “Not to prove ourselves more right or better than someone else but to better worship the holy God, the one who forgives and accepts us for Christ’s sake alone” (p. 25).  Harris wisely observes, “If being right becomes more important to us than worshiping God, then our theology is not really about God anymore.  It’s about us” (p. 26).

How does one experience humble orthodoxy?  One way is by seeking to live by what you believe.  Harris writes, “Don’t measure yourself by what you know.  Measure yourself by your practice of what you know” (p. 37).  The book of James likewise encourages us to put our faith into action,

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.  (James 1:22)

This short book is filled with helpful biblical principles and includes a four part study guide for individual or group use.  If you’re looking for helpful principles that will enable you to lovingly share the truth you will find this book helpful.  (I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.)

Dr. Rick Higgins

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University