What is neo-orthodoxy?

Answer

Neo-orthodoxy is a religious movement that emerged after World War I in response to the shortcomings of liberal Protestantism. It was primarily developed by Swiss theologians Karl Barth and Emil Brunner. Some referred to it as “neo-orthodoxy” because they perceived it as a resurgence of traditional Reformed theology. Neo-orthodoxy distinguishes itself from “old” orthodoxy in its perspectives on the Word of God and sin.

The orthodox belief asserts that the Bible is the revealed Word of God, inspired by God. This inspiration, both verbal and mechanical, implies that the Holy Spirit fully guided the biblical writers, either by directly dictating their words or utilizing them as instruments. This doctrine of inspiration leads to the logical conclusion that the original manuscripts are free from error or contradiction. The Bible constitutes the comprehensive and adequate revelation of God. Two passages supporting this perspective are 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Peter 1:20-21.

Neo-orthodoxy defines the Word of God as Jesus «In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. », (John 1:1) and posits that the Bible merely represents humanity’s interpretation of the Word’s actions. Consequently, the Bible is not inspired by God, and as a human creation, certain portions may not be taken literally. God communicated through “redemptive history,” and continues to speak as individuals “encounter” Jesus, but the Bible itself is not considered an objective truth.

Neo-orthodoxy teaches that the Bible serves as a means of revelation, whereas orthodoxy views it as revelation itself. This implies that, according to neo-orthodox theologians, revelation is contingent on each individual’s experience (or personal interpretation). The Bible only becomes the Word of God when God utilizes its words to direct someone to Christ. The specifics of the Bible are deemed less significant than having a full understanding of Christ.

Life-changing encounter with Jesus. Truth becomes a mystical experience and is not definitively stated in the Bible.

The neo-orthodox view of sin is that it is a rejection of our responsibility to treat our fellow man well. The result of sin is dehumanization, accompanied by unkindness, unforgiveness, loneliness, and a myriad of societal ills. Salvation comes to those who have a subjective encounter with Christ—no acceptance of a set of truths is necessary. Neo-orthodoxy emphasizes social work and our ethical responsibility to love others.

Neo-orthodoxy has influenced the less-conservative branches of Presbyterian and Lutheran churches in America, among other denominations. While its original purpose, to provide a more biblical alternative to liberalism, is commendable, neo-orthodox teaching carries inherent dangers. Any time truth is determined according to what is relevant to my experience, the possibility of relativism exists. Any doctrine that views the Bible as a wholly human document containing errors erodes the foundation of biblical Christianity.

We cannot truly have a life-changing “encounter” with Jesus without also believing some facts as presented in the Bible. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” «So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. », (Romans 10:17). The content of our faith is the death and resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

The disciples had an “encounter” with Jesus in Luke 24. The disciples initially misinterpreted the event, however: “They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost” (verse 37). It was not until Jesus informed them of the truth (that He had been bodily resurrected) that they grasped the reality of the situation. In othe

For words, we require an encounter with Jesus, but we also need to have that encounter interpreted by the truth of God’s Word. Otherwise, experience can lead us astray.

Jude 1:3 instructs us “to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” The faith was entrusted to us via the Bible, the written Word of God. We must not compromise the truth that God has spoken inerrantly and fully in His Word.