Orthodoxologies

The New Testament is a wealth theology put forth in stunning literary beauty.  Among these gardens are a few immensely worshipful and poetic doxologies.  Doxologies are liturgical devices, brief in nature, generally put near or at the conclusion of an epistle, that serve as orthodox statements of praise to God meant to be read and repeated aloud in a congregational setting.

There are at least four doxology in the New Testament, written by three different authors that stand out for their theology, their Christology, and their poeticism (Rom. 16:25-27; Eph. 3:20-21; Heb. 13:20-21; Jude vv. 24-25).  Each of them has subtle differences in emphases and lyrical beauty, but they are all so strikingly similar that it seems most reasonable to consider them as echoing a first-century liturgical ideal that had the various congregational bodies worshiping together through orthodox recitation and reflection.

At the onset, it needs to be said that although the modern North American Evangelical Church has traditionally been generally averse to liturgy, Christianity has always had liturgical elements.  Historically, this has come about in response to cold orthodoxy and stale doctrines, but we should not let it taint the beautifulness of these passages of Scripture, not only for their poeticism in and of themselves, but also for their beauty in bringing people together in orthodoxy through reciting doxologies collectively.

Although each of these doxologies is unique, there are a few points that they each share.  The first is the praise element.  Each of these doxologies praise the Lord Jesus for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do.  This flows into the second similarity, that each acts as an exhortative prayer for God to equip and sanctify believers by His power and for His purposes.

Additionally, each of these doxologies focuses on ascribing glory to God through Christ Jesus. This, though lyrical and lovely, is dense with theological weight like grace, faith, salvation, trinity, etc.  The point here, and this should not be overlooked, is memorization.  The length and beauty of these passages lends themselves naturally to memorization.

Doxologies are useful and memorable bits of Scripture that are both poetic accessible and theologically rich with lyricism and beauty.  To read such lovely and sincere prayers and praises in His Word is like salve applied to the soul of a man.  Therefore, it seems fitting to end with such one as these from Ephesians 3:20-21:

"Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the Church and in Jesus Christ throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."