Paleo-Orthodoxy
Encyclopedia
Paleo-orthodoxy is a broad Christian theological movement
of the late 20th and early 21st centuries which focuses on the consensual understanding of the faith among the Ecumenical Councils and Church Fathers
. While it understands this consensus of the church fathers as orthodoxy
proper, it calls itself paleo-orthodoxy to distinguish itself from neo-orthodoxy
, a movement that was influential among Protestant churches in the mid-20th century.
of 1054) and before the separation between the Roman-Catholic Church and Protestant Churches
(the Protestant Reformation
of 1517), described in the canon of Vincent of Lérins
as "Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus" ("What [is believed] everywhere, always and by everyone").
of Drew University
, who has published a series of books not only calling for a return to "classical Christianity" but also providing the tools to do so. The recent collection of essays in honor of Oden, Ancient & postmodern Christianity: Paleo-orthodoxy in the 21st Century (Kenneth Tanner, Christopher Alan Hall, eds.) also offers a good glimpse into some of the theologians active in this area: Robert Jenson
, Christopher Hall
, Amy Oden, Bradely Nassif, David Mills
, Robert Webber
, Geoffrey Wainwright
, Carl Braaten
, Stanley Grenz
, John Franke, Alan Padget, Wolfhart Pannenberg
, Richard John Neuhaus
, et al. Similar approaches can be found in the theology of Marva Dawn
, a Lutheran; Alister McGrath
, a Church of England
Reformed evangelical; Andrew Purves
, a Presbyterian; Dr. Timothy George
(Baptist),and Christopher Hall
, an Episcopalian
.
Works by other authors:
Christian theology
- Divisions of Christian theology :There are many methods of categorizing different approaches to Christian theology. For a historical analysis, see the main article on the History of Christian theology.- Sub-disciplines :...
of the late 20th and early 21st centuries which focuses on the consensual understanding of the faith among the Ecumenical Councils and Church Fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
. While it understands this consensus of the church fathers as orthodoxy
Orthodoxy
The word orthodox, from Greek orthos + doxa , is generally used to mean the adherence to accepted norms, more specifically to creeds, especially in religion...
proper, it calls itself paleo-orthodoxy to distinguish itself from neo-orthodoxy
Neo-orthodoxy
Neo-orthodoxy, in Europe also known as theology of crisis and dialectical theology,is an approach to theology in Protestantism that was developed in the aftermath of the First World War...
, a movement that was influential among Protestant churches in the mid-20th century.
Description
Paleo-orthodoxy sees the essentials of Christian theology in the consensus of the old church before the schism between the Orthodox Church and the Roman-Catholic Church (the East-West SchismEast-West Schism
The East–West Schism of 1054, sometimes known as the Great Schism, formally divided the State church of the Roman Empire into Eastern and Western branches, which later became known as the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church, respectively...
of 1054) and before the separation between the Roman-Catholic Church and Protestant Churches
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
(the Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation
The Protestant Reformation was a 16th-century split within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther, John Calvin and other early Protestants. The efforts of the self-described "reformers", who objected to the doctrines, rituals and ecclesiastical structure of the Roman Catholic Church, led...
of 1517), described in the canon of Vincent of Lérins
Vincent of Lérins
Saint Vincent of Lérins was a Gallic author of early Christian writings.In earlier life he had been engaged in secular pursuits, whether civil or military is not clear, though the term he uses, "secularis militia," might possibly imply the latter...
as "Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus" ("What [is believed] everywhere, always and by everyone").
Paleo-orthodox theologians
The dominant figure of the movement is United Methodist theologian Thomas C. OdenThomas C. Oden
Thomas Clark Oden is an American United Methodist theologian and religious author associated with Drew University in New Jersey. He was born in Altus, Oklahoma, and holds a Doctor of Literature from Asbury College....
of Drew University
Drew University
Drew University is a private university located in Madison, New Jersey.Originally established as the Drew Theological Seminary in 1867, the university later expanded to include an undergraduate liberal arts college in 1928 and commenced a program of graduate studies in 1955...
, who has published a series of books not only calling for a return to "classical Christianity" but also providing the tools to do so. The recent collection of essays in honor of Oden, Ancient & postmodern Christianity: Paleo-orthodoxy in the 21st Century (Kenneth Tanner, Christopher Alan Hall, eds.) also offers a good glimpse into some of the theologians active in this area: Robert Jenson
Robert Jenson
Robert W. Jenson is a leading American Lutheran and ecumenical theologian.-Student years:Jenson studied classics and philosophy at Luther College in the late 1940s, before beginning theological studies at Luther Seminary in 1951. Due to a car accident he missed most of his first-year seminary...
, Christopher Hall
Christopher Hall (theologian)
Christopher Hall is an Episcopalian theologian, writer and teacher who is a leading exponent of Paleo-orthodox theology. He is Chancellor of Eastern University, dean of the Templeton Honors College and, together with Thomas Oden, another Paleo-orthodox scholar, edits the Ancient Christian...
, Amy Oden, Bradely Nassif, David Mills
David Mills
David Mills is an American atheist author who argues that science and religion are inherently opposed to each other and cannot be successfully reconciled . He is best known for his book Atheist Universe which was published in 2004...
, Robert Webber
Robert E. Webber
Robert Eugene Webber was an American theologian known for his work on worship and the early church. He played a key role in the Convergence Movement, a move among evangelical and charismatic churches in the United States to blend charismatic worship with liturgies from the Book of Common Prayer...
, Geoffrey Wainwright
Geoffrey Wainwright
Geoffrey Wainwright is a British Methodist theologian.Born in Monk Bretton, Barnsley, Yorkshire, England, in 1939, Geoffrey Wainwright is an ordained minister of the British Methodist Church. He received his university education in Cambridge, Geneva and Rome. He holds the Dr. Théol. degree from...
, Carl Braaten
Carl Braaten
Carl E. Braaten is an American Lutheran theologian.-Biography:Carl Braaten has been one of the leading theologians and teachers in the Lutheran church for the past 50 years...
, Stanley Grenz
Stanley Grenz
Stanley James Grenz was an American Christian theologian and ethicist in the Baptist tradition.-Early years:...
, John Franke, Alan Padget, Wolfhart Pannenberg
Wolfhart Pannenberg
Wolfhart Pannenberg is a German Christian theologian. His emphasis on history as revelation, centred on the Resurrection of Christ, has proved important in stimulating debate in both Protestant and Catholic theology, as well as with non-Christian thinkers.-Life and views:Pannenberg was baptized as...
, Richard John Neuhaus
Richard John Neuhaus
Richard John Neuhaus was a prominent Christian cleric and writer. Born in Canada, Neuhaus moved to the United States where he became a naturalized United States citizen...
, et al. Similar approaches can be found in the theology of Marva Dawn
Marva Dawn
Marva J. Dawn is an American Christian theologian, author, musician and educator, associated with the parachurch organization Christians Equipped for Ministry in Vancouver, Washington. She also serves as Teaching Fellow in Spiritual Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Dawn...
, a Lutheran; Alister McGrath
Alister McGrath
Alister Edgar McGrath is an Anglican priest, theologian, and Christian apologist, currently Professor of Theology, Ministry, and Education at Kings College London and Head of the Centre for Theology, Religion and Culture...
, a Church of England
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
Reformed evangelical; Andrew Purves
Andrew Purves
Andrew Purves is a Christian theologian in the Reformed tradition through the Church of Scotland . He holds the Chair in Reformed Theology at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary....
, a Presbyterian; Dr. Timothy George
Timothy George
Timothy George is the dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and has been the dean since the school's inception in 1988. George teaches church history and doctrine and serves as executive editor for Christianity Today...
(Baptist),and Christopher Hall
Christopher Hall (theologian)
Christopher Hall is an Episcopalian theologian, writer and teacher who is a leading exponent of Paleo-orthodox theology. He is Chancellor of Eastern University, dean of the Templeton Honors College and, together with Thomas Oden, another Paleo-orthodox scholar, edits the Ancient Christian...
, an Episcopalian
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
.
Literature
Among Oden's works, either as writer or editor, in support of paleo-orthodoxy are:- Thomas Oden: Agenda for Theology, later re-published as After Modernity...What?, ISBN 0-310-75391-0
- Thomas Oden: Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series, which pieces together Biblical commentary from the Church's first millennium
- Thomas Oden: John WesleyJohn WesleyJohn Wesley was a Church of England cleric and Christian theologian. Wesley is largely credited, along with his brother Charles Wesley, as founding the Methodist movement which began when he took to open-air preaching in a similar manner to George Whitefield...
's Scriptural Christianity: A Plain Exposition of His Teaching on Christian Doctrine, ISBN 0-310-75321-X - Thomas Oden: Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry, ISBN 0-06-066353-7
- Thomas Oden: The Rebirth of Orthodoxy: Signs of New Life in Christianity, ISBN 0-06-009785-X
- Thomas Oden: Requiem: A Lament in Three Movements, ISBN 0-687-01160-4
- Thomas Oden: Systematic Theology (three volumes... The Living God, The Word of Life and Life in the Spirit...a trilogy which summarizes classical Christian thinking)
Works by other authors:
- Christopher Hall and Kenneth Tanner (eds.): Ancient & Postmodern Christianity: Paleo-Orthodoxy in the 21st Century (Essays In Honor of Thomas C. Oden), ISBN 0-8308-2654-8.
- Christopher A. Hall: Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers
- Colleen Carroll: The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy (ISBN 0-8294-1645-5)
- Richard FosterRichard Foster (religion)Richard J. Foster is a Christian theologian and author in the Quaker tradition. His writings speak to a broad Christian audience. He has been a professor at Friends University and pastor of Evangelical Friends churches. Foster resides in Denver, Colorado...
Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith ISBN 0-06-062822-7)
External links
- Thomas Oden's Paleo-Orthodoxy by Eric Landstrom