Orthodactics involves living out one's faith in practical ways consistent with biblical laws, precepts, and principles. The term comes from two Greek words, "ortho" meaning "straight" or "erect" similar to the Hebrew word for "kosher". The idea is that some things are "kosher" and others are not, a Hebraism that remains with the orthodox Jewish community to this day. The ending, "dactics" is derived from the Greek word "didactic" which speaks of the "whole counsel of the Word of God" as understood from the perspective of the respective traditions and across faiths.
Memoirs of those who have helped the poor and needy, stood for justice, and shown kindness to others can be inspirational. Similarly, some may feel called to publish their works in periodicals, papers, reports, and sermons for the benefit of those seeking to learn from the previous generation.
Studying the history of Christian movements and the migration of the Gospel helps us understand the transformative power of the Word, especially in a cross-cultural setting.
Vishal Mangalwadi, in his book "The Book that made your world; how the Bible created the soul of western civilization," illustrates the idea of didactic orthodoxy (orthodactics) with the following quote: "The Bible created a culture that gave birth to the West. It was a culture that gave primacy to reason, believed in progress and liberty, respected human dignity, and loved learning and art. It was a culture in which the weak could hope to be protected and the wicked could be punished, a culture that was fair, tolerant, and humane. It was a culture that recognized that human beings are created in the image of God, and that therefore human life has an intrinsic value and purpose. The Bible created a culture that was both dynamic and stable, that encouraged both creativity and responsibility, that was both innovative and traditional."
Sati (or sutee) is a historical practice in India where a widow would be expected to immolate herself on her husband's funeral pyre. The practice was outlawed in India during British colonial rule in the 19th century, largely due to the work of Christian missionaries and other social reformers who campaigned against it. One notable figure in this movement was William Carey, a Christian missionary and linguist who spent much of his life working in India. Carey and other missionaries were critical of the practice, seeing it as a cruel and inhumane tradition that needed to be abolished. Through their efforts, the British government eventually outlawed the practice in 1829.
The role of the teacher is crucial in imparting foundational orthodactic values of individual rights to life, liberty, and conscience. Teachers have a unique opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of their students and to instil in them a deep sense of respect for human dignity and a commitment to justice and equality for all people.
Teaching can impart these values by modelng them in their own lives and by incorporating them into their teaching materials and methods. They can encourage students to think critically and to reflect on their own beliefs and values, helping them to develop a deeper understanding of what it means to be a responsible and compassionate member of society.
King Alfred the Great was a 9th-century king of Wessex, known for his military skills and his efforts to promote education and learning. He oversaw the translation of many important works from Latin into Old English, including the works of Bede and the Confessions of St. Augustine.
During his reign, King Alfred witnessed the conversion of the Danes from paganism to Christianity, and he played a key role in promoting the spread of Christianity throughout his kingdom. He established schools and monasteries, and he encouraged his people to learn to read and write in their own language, so that they could better understand the teachings of the Bible and the Christian faith.
King Alfred's efforts to promote education and literacy helped to lay the foundation for the development of the English language and culture, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of people around the world to pursue knowledge and to seek the truth.
The last Viking to be baptised into the Christian faith was Harald Bluetooth, king of Denmark. He was baptised around the year 965 and is credited with helping to promote the spread of Christianity throughout Denmark and Norway. Harald Bluetooth was known for his military prowess and his ability to unite the various tribes and clans of Denmark under his rule. He is also credited with introducing the runic alphabet to Denmark and helping to establish the first written Danish laws.