Thomas Oden

[Scrawly]

Thomas Oden (recently deceased), went from being a classic liberal scholar to embracing orthodoxy. Comments welcome. Especially from robrecht and psstein.

[rogue06]

Didn't he begin promoting a return to "classical Christianity" and the writings of the early church because he feels that everything done today is contaminated by politics?

[Scrawly]

Didn't he begin promoting a return to "classical Christianity" and the writings of the early church because he feels that everything done today is contaminated by politics?

Yes, I think he delved into that area in his book "Turning Around the Mainline". A good synopsis of his journey can be read here.

[robrecht]

Thomas Oden (recently deceased), went from being a classic liberal scholar to embracing orthodoxy. Comments welcome. Especially from robrecht and psstein.

What specifically interests you about my opinion on Oden's views? Specifically, which of his views would you like me to comment upon?

[Scrawly]

What specifically interests you about my opinion on Oden's views?

Your opinions are quite informed.

Specifically, which of his views would you like me to comment upon?

Nothing in particular, I'm just looking for any comments in general if you're familiar with his life and work.

[robrecht]

Your opinions are quite informed.

Nothing in particular, I'm just looking for any comments in general if you're familiar with his life and work.

I'm not familiar with his work, but a brief article about some of his major themes looks interesting, for example, his focus on paleo-orthodoxy, getting back to the consensus of the old church prior to major schisms. I would go further (Oden may or may not agree, I don't know), and address the schism between Christianity and Judaism. So much of our Christian faith can be best understood within its Jewish matrix. The writings of Paul, for example, come alive when one reads them within his Jewish context. Christianity is not merely a faith about Jesus, but it is, more fundamentally, the faith of Jesus, the Jewish faith of Jesus and Paul in the God of Israel who will fulfill the promises made to Abraham for the benefit of all nations. I'd like to know how Oden would approach this question. Have you read much of his work? In the meantime, he has become another person I hope to have lengthy conversations with in the world to come, where our minds will be fully enlightened.

[Scrawly]

I'm not familiar with his work, but a brief article about some of his major themes looks interesting, for example, his focus on paleo-orthodoxy, getting back to the consensus of the old church prior to major schisms. I would go further (Oden may or may not agree, I don't know), and address the schism between Christianity and Judaism. So much of our Christian faith can be best understood within its Jewish matrix. The writings of Paul, for example, come alive when one reads them within his Jewish context. Christianity is not merely a faith about Jesus, but it is, more fundamentally, the faith of Jesus, the Jewish faith of Jesus and Paul in the God of Israel who will fulfill the promises made to Abraham for the benefit of all nations. I'd like to know how Oden would approach this question. Have you read much of his work? In the meantime, he has become another person I hope to have lengthy conversations with in the world to come, where our minds will be fully enlightened.

Thanks for your thoughts here, Rob. I have not read much of his work at all.

[KingsGambit]

I was considering reading his magnum opus on paleo-orthodoxy, but one of my theology nerd friends recommended I give it a pass because he thought his writing style was hopelessly dull.

I think the concept has merit though so I still want to get around to it at some point.

[Scrawly]

I was considering reading his magnum opus on paleo-orthodoxy, but one of my theology nerd friends recommended I give it a pass because he thought his writing style was hopelessly dull.

I think the concept has merit though so I still want to get around to it at some point.

I'd eventually like to read his commentary on 1&2 Tim. & Titus.

[KingsGambit]

In particular, I'm interested in his reasoning for remaining a Protestant.

[robrecht]

In particular, I'm interested in his reasoning for remaining a Protestant.

I suspect you will find the core of his justification for remaining Protestant in his Justification Reader. From the book jacket:

Ranging broadly through Christian history and across all branches of the church, Oden cites the writings of such major figures as Athanasius, Basil, Gregory Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom in the East and Ambrose, Jerome, Augustine, and Gregory the Great in the West. Although Oden presents all the relevant historical texts on justification, the book also includes his own insightful explication of the doctrine. His work shows that what these church fathers teach on justification was restated almost verbatim by the sixteenth-century Reformers and can still be confessed in good conscience by Christians from every communion.

But it's not as if Catholics can't also debate the interpretation of Paul's writings.

[NorrinRadd]

I'm very familiar with his name, but have only read a little by or about him. I was of the impression that he was solidly conservative Wesleyan-Arminian, and that he found such a position consistent with "paleo-orthodoxy."