

The Remaking of a Modern Mind: A Conversation with Thomas Oden
Mar 16, 2015
Thomas Oden, a theologian and editor acclaimed for the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, shares his transformative journey from youthful revolutionary ideas to a deep commitment to classical Christian orthodoxy. He discusses the impact of neo-orthodoxy, the work of the early Church Fathers, and the concept of 'paleo-orthodoxy.' Oden also reflects on the significance of Roe v. Wade as a moral turning point and emphasizes the influence of the Holy Spirit in navigating the complexities of faith in modern times.
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From Movement Theologian To Return
- Thomas Oden recounts being a youthful 'movement theologian' who took left turns into Marxism and political activism.
- He says those decades were necessary steps before returning to classical Christian faith.
Bultmann Brought Textual Seriousness
- Oden credits Bultmann with returning him to take Scripture more seriously while still demythologizing the resurrection.
- He later recognized that demythologizing left out the historical reality of the resurrection.
The Seminary Doublespeak Problem
- Oden describes 'doublespeak' in seminary where orthodox vocabulary masked secularized theology.
- He warns that sounding Christian while undermining Christianity was a common academic tactic.