Engaging Chesterton on doctrine

I enjoy reading the 'Conciliar Anglican' blog now and again; it is the place to go for thoughtful posts from an Episcopal priest deeply rooted in the ancient orthodoxy ("true and right belief") of the universal ("catholic") Church across the ages.  In this recent post he engages with the always provocative G.K. Chesterton on the virtues of firm doctrinal boundaries (much maligned by certain members and even leaders and bishops of the historic Protestant Churches these days).  Read the full post HERE.

I am convinced that the recovery of firm doctrinal boundaries is a key to the renewal of Christianity in our culture.  Not that the Church needs or must have a hard and fast rule or teaching on every possible issue - that kind of rigidity leaves little room for thinking through the implications of our faith; yet on the other hand an indifferent "anything goes" attitude towards Christian teaching and Biblical (mis)interpretation - which has prevailed in some circles of historic Protestantism - leaves churches with no identity, no message, and therefore no relevance, no prophetic challenge, and no gospel consolation for the world around us.

I am one who finds such boundaries exactly where they've always been: in the historic catholic creeds (such as the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds) and in the doctrinal standards of my own denomination.  The above statue of Chesterton is in the quaint town of Ponchatoula in my home state of Louisiana.  How it got there, I know not, but I think it is great.