Book Review: Rebirth of Orthodoxy

 

What is orthodoxy, and why does it matter?

These are questions that many years ago Thomas Oden, who is now recognized during his lifetime as the preeminent Methodist theologian, and the father of a branch of theology called paleo-orthodoxy. 

We live in what is now called the post-modern era, where many of the assumptions of what has built our current world are being called into question. And many of these questions also etch away at the foundational truths that construct the core of Christian belief. Calling it "modern chauvinism", where the assumed inference is that the understanding of the past is inherently inferior. This has developed from a combination of the rise of secularism, materialism & critical theory. 

If this modern chauvinism is the presumed way of operating, then what do we actually do with the long held beliefs of the Christian Church? Are they something to be believed, or are they the relics of an outdated past that has no connection with the here and now, and must be updated to fit with our modern sensibilities.

Oden himself went on his own journey from an idealistic liberal theologian, to someone who concretely was pursuing the classical Christian consensus of orthodoxy through the history the the Church. Finding his start by looking at the early church fathers (a.k.a patristics) as the progenitors of all faithful followers of Christ. 

Orthodoxy is simply defined by Oden as, "the integrated biblical teaching as interpreted in its most consensual classic period". From this, if we go back to the patristic teachers, we can begin tracing the core of Christian understanding from the Apostles to our day with consistency. Some of these key teachers are Athanasius, Ambrose, Basil, Cyril & Crystotham.

Another amazing facet of his look on what is Christian orthodoxy is his placement of tradition as important to this. "tradition is itself a memory of scripture interpretation consensually received." Meaning we cannot expunge tradition as many do in more fundamentalist understandings, as it helps hold the Christian consensus together. 

But ultimately Oden's greatest area of concern and criticism is for the critical, liberal & Marxist understandings of Christian theology and history (which he himself had been saved from). 

"The Marxist explanation of orthodoxy was simple" economic interests prevailed. Ideological winners imposed their views on ideological losers corrosively - a matter of power." This narrow understanding of history (as Marx himself would enjoy) rejects any notion of divine inspiration, that a Holy God could through His people keep and preserve His revelation to mankind. This of course being a core tenant of Christian understanding.

In fact, while many of these modern understandings seem so very broad, Oden states that they are actually very restrictive and small. Their "all encompassing acceptance" is really very small and narrow in comparison to Christian orthodoxy. One area that this shines bright is in orthodoxies understanding of diversity. "Because modern diversity has no time to listen to other generations, it risks a massive loss of wisdom." This also is seen in the actions that flow from this kind of understanding. "Nothing is more pathetic than a self-centered doctrinal or moral advocate who claims to be centered on God's Word and yet fails to listen to the vast resources of orthodoxy. 

This book, while written some years ago is more pertinent for our time than ever. I fear the dangers that Oden warns of are continuing to chip away at churches and seminaries,, thus causing a new generation of pastors and theologians to be driven more by idealistic modern chauvinism, than the tried and truth orthodoxy of the classic Christian consensus.

It is in the rebirth of orthodoxy in each one of us that will lead to a solid and real ecumenicism that will bring the Church together over what is essential, to spread the Gospel.