Christianity has a rich history rife with division over the Scriptures. Many of these differences come from improperly interpreting scripture sections, or omitting parts of scripture from theology. Three major schools of thought exist in Christianity, Evangelicalism, Theological Liberalism, and Neo-Orthodoxy. This paper will provide an in-depth analysis of all three schools of thought, comparing and contrasting them, analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of each one, provide an opinion by the author on which school of thought is best, and provide reflections from the author about his personal lifestyle.
The Issues
This section will focus on comparing and contrasting the schools of thought with one another on the issue of the nature and authority of Scripture. To ensure the maximum understanding of the reader, the paper will provide a theological overview of each school of thought.
Theological Liberalism
Tony Lane, author of the book A Concise History of Christian Thought, calls theological liberalism “a thorough-going adaptation of Christian theology to the modern world. Liberals are prepared to sacrifice many elements of traditional Christian orthodoxy in their search for contemporary relevance” (Lane, 237). This quote states that Liberal Christians are ready to abandon many elements important to a traditional Christian Orthodoxy.
Neo-Orthodoxy
According to Tony Lane (who calls it New Orthodoxy), Neo-Orthodoxy shares much with Evangelicalism, but it “was a Neo-Orthodoxy, not a return to the old orthodoxy” (Lane, 268). Encyclopaedia Britannica elaborates a little more by defining it as “a theological movement in Europe and the United States that used the traditional language of Protestant orthodoxy and advocated a return to bibli...
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...tionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/the-bible-inspiratio n-of.html>. Schnucker, R. "Neo-Orthodoxy." BELIEVE. BELIEVE, n.d. Web. 13 Nov 2013.
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"DOES ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE PROVE THE BIBLE? HOW DO
ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES RELATE TO EVENTS IN SCRIPTURE?."
Josh.org Until the Whole World Hears. Josh McDowell Ministry. Web. 17 Nov 2013. .
"theological liberalism." Encyclopaedia Britannica. Encyclopaedia Britannica Online Academic
Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 2013. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
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"What is a Liberal Christian." Liberalis. N.p.. Web. 11 Nov 2013.
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The Bible is read and interpreted by many people all over the world. Regardless, no one knows the absolute truth behind scripture. Walter Brueggemann, professor of Old Testament, wrote “Biblical Authority” to help people understand what he describes as six different parts that make up the foundation to ones understanding of scripture. He defines these six features as being: inherency, interpretation, imagination, ideology, inspiration, and importance. As Brueggemann explains each individual part, it is easy to see that they are all interconnected because no one can practice one facet without involuntarily practicing at least one other part.
There exists a long held belief that the United States of America was founded on the principles and doctrinal views of Protestantism. Modern age Christians have scoured historical documents in an effort to provide evidence for a Judeo-Christian foundation in the nation’s republican framework. Likewise, their opponents have written lengthy dissertations and argued over various media outlets that Christian conclusions are unfounded. Yet despite their endless debate, religion, especially Christianity, has and continues to play a fundamental element of America’s cultural, societal, and political makeup. The Second Great Awakening, the religious revivalist movement of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, ignited not only a religious revolution that transformed the American landscape, but it also developed and cemented the individualistic ideologies that have driven American thought in subsequent generations.
Lea., Thomas D. and Black., David Alan. 2003. The New Testament It’s Background and Message. Nashville, Tennessee: Published by B&H Academic.
Kantzer, Kenneth S. “Neo-Orthodoxy and the Inspiration of Scripture.” Bibliotheca Sacra 116.461 (1959): 15-29. ATLA Religion Database with ATLAserials. Web. 12 Nov. 2013
In Marshall’s second essay, ‘The Development of Doctrine,’ he identifies two approaches to biblical interpretation, conservative and progressive. Marshall witnessed a need for greater clarity in regards to worship practices, principles, and theology due to the varying opinions among evangelical interpreters. Marshall mentions, “It is especially the duty of evangelical Christians to provide some kind of reasoned, principled approach to the question of the development of doctrine from Scripture” (Marshall 45).
"EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 & 2." EXPLORING THEOLOGY 1 2. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 May 2014.
One of the more surprising features of the Christian faith is that it produced at its very beginning a substantial body of writings. That this should be the case is by no means a necessity: not all religious movements produce writings. Furthermore, that these writings should be collected into one book and thus become a sacred corpus, and that this sacred corpus should continue to influence the life of believers and to determine the content and the practices of the faith two thousand years later is also remarkable.
Reese, William J., Emily Dykman, Michael Lopez-Kaley, and Laura Nettles. Christian Theology: Scripture, Tradition, and Practice. Kearney, Neb.: Morris Pub., 2012. Print.
Rourke, Nancy. “Christianity Notes.” Religion 101 Notes Christianity. Entry posted April 14, 2011. https ://angel.canisius.edu/section/default.asp?id=43760%5FSpring2011 (accessed April 18, 2011).
Can one question, or consider evaluating the authority of God 's ' word and his infallible wisdom to supernaturally inspire those who wrote it? In the words of the psalmist” God’s word is the truth” and “every one of his righteous ordinances endures forever” (The Holy Bible, Ps: 119: 160). As students of the ministry, it is critically important to understand the biblical authority, inspiration, and inerrancy of the bible and the potential effects to society. This paper will reflect my personal insight, biblical research, and analysis to formulate a clear and concise understanding of this topic.
Thus, an effort is made to highlight how Bible interpretation – through its publication – has developed in the history of Christianity.
Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity." Theopedia, an Encyclopedia of Biblical Christianity. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2014. (Theopedia) (Theopedia)
One of the major points stressed by Hodge in this essay is that the scriptures are infallible because they were written by the inspiration of God and the Holy Ghost. Hodge begins to describe the attri...
Lutzer, Erwin. The Doctrines That Divide: a Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1998.
In this paper I will discuss the Authority of Scripture and how it has a role in the way the Bible is taught in Christian Education. I will discuss and tell what the Bible is. I will discuss different interviews on what other people think the role of the Bible is in the Christian faith and what I believe the role of the Bible is in the Christian faith. I will also discuss how I will teach the Bible in Christian Faith after having listened to others and having completed this class.