Bradley Nassif

Paleo-orthodoxy is a Protestant theological movement that emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries in the United States. Its central aim is to recover and adhere to the consensual understanding of Christian faith as expressed by the ecumenical councils and the Church Fathers. The movement uses the term "paleo-orthodoxy" to distinguish itself from "neo-orthodoxy," a mid-20th century Protestant theological trend.

Adherents seek the core tenets of Christian theology in the consensus of the "Great Church" that existed before the East-West Schism of 1054 and the Protestant Reformation of 1517. This approach is often summarized by Vincent of Lérins' principle: "What has been believed everywhere, always, and by everyone." While many paleo-orthodox Protestants are part of the Convergence Movement, the movement is not exclusive to it. Different interpretations of early Church teachings exist among its adherents.

Paleo-orthodoxy is a Protestant theological current that emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, primarily in the United States. It is characterized by a focus on the shared theological beliefs of the early Church, specifically as understood by the ecumenical councils and the Church Fathers. The movement's name, derived from Greek words for "ancient" and "correct belief," highlights its commitment to this historical consensus. Paleo-orthodox thinkers aim to distinguish their approach from the mid-20th century "neo-orthodoxy" movement. They identify the "Great Church"—the period before the East-West Schism (1054) and the Protestant Reformation (1517)—as the authoritative source for understanding essential Christian theology.

The foundational principle guiding paleo-orthodoxy is often articulated through Vincent of Lérins' maxim: "Quod ubique, quod semper, quod ab omnibus," meaning "What is believed everywhere, always, and by everyone." This emphasizes a universal, historical, and enduring consensus. While many adherents are associated with the Convergence Movement, which seeks to bridge divides between Christian traditions, paleo-orthodoxy is not solely confined to this group. The movement's proponents, though diverse in their specific denominational backgrounds (including Methodist, Lutheran, Reformed evangelical, Presbyterian, Baptist, and Episcopalian), share a common goal of retrieving and applying the theological wisdom of the early Christian centuries to contemporary faith and practice.

A central figure in the paleo-orthodoxy movement is Thomas C. Oden, a United Methodist theologian. Oden's extensive work, including a series of books and the multi-volume "Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture," aimed to provide resources for a return to "classical Christianity." A collection of essays titled "Ancient and Postmodern Christianity: Paleo-Orthodoxy in the 21st Century" highlights the contributions of various theologians associated with the movement. Among those mentioned are Robert Jenson, Christopher Hall, Amy Oden, Bradley Nassif, Robert Webber, and Geoffrey Wainwright, alongside others like Wolfhart Pannenberg and Richard John Neuhaus. These scholars, despite their varied backgrounds, collectively contribute to the movement's endeavor to re-center Protestant theology on the ancient foundations of the Christian faith.