Searching for Orthodoxy: A Layman's Guide to Eternal Life

By Steve O'Dell

From the Bible we learn of a certain rich man who asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" His question is the most important question that could ever be asked, and Jesus' answer seemed to imply that we must sell all that we have and give money to the poor to gain passage to Heaven. Throughout the Church's history there have been numerous different interpretations of God's word, not only of this account--of Jesus and a rich man--but of the entire Bible, as it has been understood differently by many different factions.
Following the Apostolic Age, the Church saw the need to establish orthodox doctrines--agreed-upon Biblical truths--to confront those who would distort God's word. A search for orthodoxy must look at those early doctrines; however, after a comparison to what is being taught in today's modern, progressive churches, we quickly learn that after two thousand years, what was taught in the first doctrines is at risk of falling into obscurity. You might ask, "Why does this matter?" It's immensely important if the truths that have been lost or neglected are the only way for us to know the way to the Kingdom of God. The Devil certainly understands the importance of obscuring God's word, as he knows his lies can prevent the salvation of men and women.
Why is the human soul of such importance that God would sacrifice His only son to save it? And what of this spiritual war between God and His enemy Satan, is it too fantastic to believe that this war has been waged since the beginning of time? These are the types of questions, after searching of orthodoxy, one would expect to be answered. If doctrines fail the race of Adam, we are left lost, grouping in darkness without the light of life. It is the Church's responsibility to protect sound doctrine from heresy. However, biblical prophecy speaks to a time when the Church will abrogate this responsibility and "fall away" and forsake the true faith. The Apostle Paul calls this falling away the "Great Apostacy" and in the end time this will result in an ecumenical--one world religion. The irony of it all, as the Apostle John describes this future religion in the "Book of Revelation" as being the Whore of Babylon who commits adultery with the kings of the earth.
The search for orthodoxy leads down a long and difficult road exposing the heresies coming from the growing apostate church. These demonic lies are meant to corrupt the gospel of Jesus Christ, but this journey ultimately finds a layman's guide to eternal life. A layman--not a learned theologian--understands and gives the simplest explanation why mankind needs to repent from sin to receive God's gift of faith.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0998378453
• ISBN13: 9780998378459
• Release Date: March 2026
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"