Orthodoxy (Thrift Editions)

The masterpiece of G. K. Chesterton's distinguished literary career, this treatise mounts a defense of Christianity. The author employs the term "orthodoxy" as a synonym for "right opinion," applying the concept of correct reasoning to his formal and scholarly arguments, which are expressed in down-to-earth language. Chesterton's thought-provoking analogies, personal anecdotes, and engaging humor make this polemic a work of enduring charm and persuasion.

The Context and Purpose of Orthodoxy

In response to G. K. Chesterton’s book Heretics, H. G. Wells remarked, “I will begin to worry about my philosophy…when Mr. Chesterton has given us his.” And that is precisely what Chesterton set out to do in Orthodoxy.

• Like any good theorist, Chesterton believed he could not undertake this task without first articulating what he did not agree with. After completing this with Heretics, he turned his focus to articulating the philosophy he had come to believe.
• In a personal and engaging manner, Chesterton uses “a set of mental pictures” to describe his journey in discovering the truth.

Key Themes and Insights

Among his key points are:

• The role of reason and fantasy in leading him to discover true orthodoxy.
• The realization that orthodoxy was not a product of chance but was fashioned by a divine Creator.

Chesterton’s timeless wisdom remains relevant to the struggles of many Christians today. He was surprised to find that the truths he discovered were not unique to him at all; instead, they had been passed down through many generations.

In his humility, Chesterton admitted, “I will not call it my philosophy, for I did not make it. God and humanity made it; and it made me.”