A little Orthodoxy

A few weeks ago I raised some hackles when I wrote about basic Christian beliefs. I cited the creeds as a guide.

Of course, I went a bit further and questioned some Catholic practices and beliefs that were not contianed in the creeds and had developed out of tradition (and that caused some of the offense).

But I've been reading Chesterton's Orthodoxy recently and came across the following passage:

"I add one purely pedantic note which comes, as a note naturally should, at the beginning of the book. These essays are concerned only to discuss the actual fact that the central Christian theology (sufficiently summarized in the Apostles' Creed) is the best root of energy and sound ethics. They are not intended to discuss the very fascinating but quite different question of what is the present seat of authority for the proclamation of that creed. When the word "orthodoxy" is used here it means the Apostles' Creed, as understood by everybody calling himself Christian until a very short time ago and the general historic conduct of those who held such a creed."

Ah. I feel in good company.