“The Long Journey Home?” A Theological Analysis of the Theological Methods from Thomas C. Oden

Abstract

Theology is a discipline that develops dynamically and progressively with complexity. The development of theological method in a certain time period generally becomes part of the dialectic without a clear maturation of the new method. No wonder various theological syntheses are formulated that lead to new prospective theologies. Interestingly, instead of being prospective, Oden’s theological method is retrospective. Oden has returned to the past—more precisely to the writings of the church fathers. The problem presented is whether or not Oden’s proposal, contained in his theological method, is a relevant proposal. Especially as it is formulated in the plurality of the theological context in the 21st century. This is the focus of the author’s research. This paper will describe and analyze the three most obvious aspects of Oden’s method of theology, namely a theology that returns to the patristic writings, is rooted in the historical legacy of early African Christianity, and pertains to pastoral shepherding. Through this study, the author hopes to contribute to objective theological analysis in the contemporary setting by developing a study on Oden’s retrospective theological method which has significant relevance to the 21st-century theological context.