Orthodoxy: Its Truths And Errors by James Freeman Clarke

(7 User reviews)   4392
By Charlotte Girard Posted on Nov 15, 2025
In Category - Adventure
Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888 Clarke, James Freeman, 1810-1888
English
Ever wonder how old religious ideas fit into modern life? That's exactly what James Freeman Clarke tackles in this 19th-century gem. He doesn't just defend tradition or attack it blindly. Instead, he picks apart what he calls the 'truths' and 'errors' of orthodox Christian thinking. It's like watching a sharp, thoughtful friend sort through a family attic—keeping the heirlooms that still shine and honestly pointing out what's collecting dust. If you've ever felt torn between respecting tradition and needing things to make sense today, this book feels like a conversation you've been waiting to have.
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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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James Freeman Clarke, a minister and thinker from the 1800s, wrote this book as a response to the big religious questions of his time. He saw people either clinging rigidly to old doctrines or throwing them out completely. He thought there was a better way.

The Story

This isn't a story with characters and a plot. It's an intellectual journey. Clarke walks through core Christian beliefs—like the nature of God, sin, and salvation. For each one, he makes a clear distinction. He identifies the lasting spiritual truth at the heart of the belief, and then separates it from what he sees as the human-made error or rigid dogma that has sometimes grown up around it. His goal is to rescue the essential spirit of faith from the parts that no longer serve it.

Why You Should Read It

What's amazing is how fresh it feels. Clarke isn't angry or dismissive. He writes with the care of someone who truly values his faith but also trusts his own mind. Reading him is like getting a masterclass in critical thinking applied to the most personal of subjects. You don't have to agree with all his conclusions to appreciate his method. He gives you permission to think for yourself, to question respectfully, and to seek a faith that is both intelligent and heartfelt.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone interested in the history of religious thought, or for modern readers wrestling with their own beliefs. If you like authors like C.S. Lewis but wish he was a bit less doctrinal and a bit more questioning, you'll find a kindred spirit in Clarke. It's a thoughtful, surprisingly accessible book for the curious soul.



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David White
1 year ago

My professor recommended this, and I see why.

Linda Robinson
11 months ago

Compatible with my e-reader, thanks.

4.5
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