Orthopraxia

The term orthopraxia (from the Greek ὀρϑός orthós , “right”, and πρᾶξις prãxis , “doing”, “acting”) is a theological made-up word for right action and its being formed in the first third of the 20th century as part of the beginning ecumenical movement Reflection.

The expression is meant as a counterpart to Orthodoxy and only in this context. While the striving for right doctrine , for theoretical-theological orthodoxy, has caused the church to divide, it describes, among other things, the common endeavor to act rightly in the face of the burning challenges of the time to bring the separated Christians together.

However, the often violent disputes about ethical decisions and standards between and within denominations have shown that consensus on orthopraxis is by no means easier to achieve than such on orthodoxy. The pacifism debate or sexual morality suffice as examples .