Paleo-Orthodoxy

Paleo-Orthodoxy is a Christian theological movement of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It is not a formal, organized movement, but comprises essentially a return to "classical Christianity" by many theologians, scholars, pastors, and lay people. The term is derived from the roots "paleo" (meaning "ancient") and "orthodox" (meaning "correct belief"), so it essentially means "ancient correct belief". The movement relies to a great extent on patristic sources. It is generally associated (though not exclusively so) with evangelicalism.

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The giant of the movement is United Methodist Thomas C. Oden of Drew University, who has published a series of books not only calling for a return to "classical Christianity" but also provided the tools to do so. Oden, who apparently coined the term "paleo-orthodoxy", believes strongly that Christians need to rely upon the wisdom of the historical Church, particularly the early Church, rather than on modern scholarship and theology, which is often, in his view, tainted by political agendas.

Related Topics:
United Methodist - Thomas C. Oden - Drew University

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Oden writes, "The term paleo-orthodoxy is employed to make clear that we are not talking about neo-orthodoxy. Paleo becomes a necessary prefix only because the term orthodoxy has been preempted and to some degree tarnished by the modern tradition of neo-orthodoxy" (Requiem, p. 130).

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Oden's desire is, "...to begin to prepare the postmodern Christian community for its third millennium by returning again to the careful study and respectful following of the central tradition of classical Christianity" (After Modernity...What?, p. 34). Oden himself has written that he hopes, "...to make no new contribution to theology" (Life in the Spirit, p. vii).

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Among the books Oden is responsible for, either as writer or editor, in support of paleo-orthodoxy are:

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• Agenda for Theology, later re-published as After Modernity...What? (ISBN 0310753910)
• the remarkable Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture series, which pieces together Biblical commentary from the Church's first millennium
• the Classical Pastoral Care series
• John Wesley's Scriptural Christianity: A Plain Exposition of His Teaching on Christian Doctrine (ISBN 031075321X)
• Pastoral Theology: Essentials of Ministry (ISBN 0060663537)
• The Rebirth of Orthodoxy: Signs of New Life in Christianity (ISBN 006009785X)
• Requiem: A Lament in Three Movements (ISBN 0687011604)
• Systematic Theology (three volumes... The Living God, The Word of Life and Life in the Spirit...an impressive trilogy which summarizes classical Christian thinking

Oden was also the inspiration for Ancient & Postmodern Christianity: Paleo-Orthodoxy in the 21st Century (Essays In Honor of Thomas C. Oden), edited by Christopher Hall and Kenneth Tanner (ISBN 0830826548).

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Earlier inspirations for paleo-orthodoxy undoubtedly include Albert Outler, J. I. Packer, and Thomas F. Torrance.

Related Topics:
Albert Outler - J. I. Packer - Thomas F. Torrance

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Other theologians who could be said to work within the bounds of paleo-orthodoxy, deliberately or otherwise, include: Marva Dawn, Richard Foster, Alister McGrath, Andrew Purves and, to a lesser extent, Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon.

Related Topics:
Marva Dawn - Richard Foster - Alister McGrath - Andrew Purves - Stanley Hauerwas - William Willimon

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Other books which reflect the paleo-orthodox mindset include:

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• The New Faithful: Why Young Adults Are Embracing Christian Orthodoxy by Colleen Carroll (ISBN 0829416455)
• Reaching Out Without Dumbing Down: A Theology of Worship for This Urgent Time by Marva Dawn (ISBN 0802841023)
• Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth by Richard Foster (ISBN 0060628391)
• Devotional Classics by Richard Foster (ISBN 0060669667)
• Streams of Living Water: Celebrating the Great Traditions of Christian Faith by Richard Foster (ISBN 0060628227)
• Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony by Stanley Hauerwas & William Willimon (ISBN 0687361591)
• Pastoral Theology in the Classical Tradition by Andrew Purves (ISBN 0664222412)
• The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible (ISBN 0060671084)