Orthodoxy: Its Truths And Errors by James Freeman Clarke

(2 User reviews)   3495
By Charlotte Girard Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Philosophy
Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888 Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888
English
Ever feel like your beliefs don't quite fit the box you're told they should? That's the heart of James Freeman Clarke's 19th-century book, 'Orthodoxy: Its Truths And Errors.' It's not a dry religious text, but a surprisingly personal and brave argument from a minister who believed the church had gotten some big things wrong. Clarke doesn't throw faith out the window. Instead, he tries to carefully separate what he sees as timeless spiritual truth from the human-made rules and doctrines that had piled up around it. Reading it feels like having a deep, challenging conversation with a thoughtful friend from another time. It's for anyone who's ever questioned the 'why' behind what they're told to believe.
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§ 2. Progress requires that we should look back as well as forward. § 3. Orthodoxy as Right Belief. § 4. Orthodoxy as the Doctrine of the Majority. Objections. § 5. Orthodoxy as the Oldest Doctrine. Objections. § 6. Orthodoxy as the Doctrine held by all. § 7. Orthodoxy, as a Formula, not to be found. § 8. Orthodoxy as Convictions underlying Opinions. § 9. Substantial Truth and Formal Error in all great Doctrinal Systems. § 10. Importance of this Distinction. § 11. The Orthodox and Liberal Parties in New England. Chapter II. The Principle And Idea Of Orthodoxy Stated And Examined. § 1. The Principle of Orthodoxy defined. § 2. Logical Genesis of the Principle of Orthodoxy. § 3. Orthodoxy assumed to be the Belief of the Majority. § 4. Heterodoxy thus becomes sinful. § 5. The Doctrine of Essentials and Non-essentials leads to Rome. § 6. Fallacy in this Orthodox Argument. § 7. The three Tendencies in the Church. § 8. The Party of Works. § 9. The Party of Emotion in Christianity. § 10. The Faith Party in Religion. § 11. Truth in the Orthodox Idea. § 12. Error in the Orthodox Principle. § 13. Faith, Knowledge, Belief, Opinion. Chapter III. The Orthodox Idea Of Natural And Revealed Religion; Or, Naturalism And Supernaturalism. § 1. Meaning of Natural and Supernatural. § 2. The Creation Supernatural. § 3. The Question stated. § 4. Argument of the Supernaturalist from successive Geologic Creations. § 5. Supernatural Argument from Human Freedom. § 6. Supernatural Events not necessarily Violations of Law. § 7. Life and History contain Supernatural Events. § 8. The Error of Orthodox Supernaturalism. § 9. No Conflict between Naturalism and Supernaturalism. § 10. Further Errors of Orthodox Supernaturalism—Gulf between Christianity and all other Religions. § 11. Christianity considered unnatural, as well as supernatural by being made hostile to the Nature of Man. Chapter IV. Truths And Errors As Regards Miracles. § 1. The Subject stated. Four Questions concerning Miracles. § 2. The Definition of a Miracle. § 3. The different Explanations of the Miracles of the Bible. § 4. Criticism on these Different Views of Miracles. § 5. Miracles no Proof of Christianity. § 6. But Orthodoxy is right in maintaining their Reality as Historic Facts. § 7. Analogy with other Similar Events recorded in History. § 8. Miracle of the Resurrection. Sceptical Objections. § 9. Final Result of this Examination. Chapter V. Orthodox Idea Of The Inspiration And Authority Of The Bible. § 1. Subject of this Chapter. Three Views concerning the Bible. § 2. The Difficulty. Antiquity of the World, and Age of Mankind. § 3. Basis of the Orthodox Theory of Inspiration. § 4. Inspiration in general, or Natural Inspiration. § 5. Christian or Supernatural Inspiration. § 6. Inspiration of the Scriptures, especially of the New Testament Scriptures. § 7. Authority of the Scriptures. § 8. The Christian Prepossession. § 9. Conclusion. Chapter VI. Orthodox Idea Of Sin, As Depravity And As Guilt. § 1. The Question stated. § 2. The four Moments or Characters of Evil. The Fall, Natural Depravity, Total Depravity, Inability. § 3. Orthodox and Liberal View of Man, as morally diseased or otherwise. § 4. Sin as Disease. § 5. Doctrine of the Fall in Adam, and Natural Depravity. Their Truth and Error. § 6. Examination of Romans, 5:12-21. § 7. Orthodox View of Total Depravity and Inability. § 8. Proof Texts. § 9. Truth in the Doctrine of Total Depravity. § 10. Ability and Inability. § 11. Orthodox Doctrine of Inability. § 12. Some further Features of Orthodox Theology concerning Human...

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Published in 1869, 'Orthodoxy: Its Truths And Errors' is James Freeman Clarke's attempt to reform religious thinking from within. Clarke was a Unitarian minister, and this book is his case for a more reasonable, compassionate, and progressive Christianity. He argues that core spiritual truths—like love, justice, and the fatherhood of God—are eternal. The problem, he says, is the 'errors': the rigid doctrines, complex creeds, and exclusionary practices that churches have built on top of those truths over centuries. He walks readers through major points of Christian belief, pointing out where he thinks tradition has strayed from the simple message he finds in the Gospels.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me most was Clarke's tone. He's not an angry outsider attacking faith; he's a passionate insider trying to save it from what he sees as its own worst habits. His writing is clear and earnest. You can feel his deep care for both spiritual truth and intellectual honesty. Even if you're not religious, his process is fascinating. He models how to critically examine the beliefs you've inherited, to hold onto what rings true and let go of what doesn't. It's a masterclass in thoughtful dissent.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for history lovers, spiritual seekers, or anyone interested in how ideas evolve. It's a key text for understanding 19th-century American religious liberalism. Don't expect a page-turner; it's a thoughtful, slow-burn argument. But if you're curious about the roots of modern progressive theology or just enjoy seeing a sharp mind grapple with big questions, Clarke's book is a rewarding and surprisingly relevant read.



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Elijah Torres
1 year ago

I started reading out of curiosity and it provides a comprehensive overview perfect for everyone. I will read more from this author.

Edward Williams
1 year ago

Five stars!

5
5 out of 5 (2 User reviews )

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