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The Heresy of Orthodoxy

How contemporary culture's fascination with diversity has shaped our understanding of early Christianity

by Andreas J. Kostenberger, Michael J. Kruger

  • Paperback
  • 224 pages
  • Publisher: Intervarsity Press (IVP)
  • 14 x 21.6 x 1.8 cm

£12.58

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Evaluating historical evidence, this book defends early Christian orthodoxy from the legacy of New Testament criticism: the modern 'orthodoxy of diversity'.

Beginning with Walter Bauer in 1934, the denial of clear orthodoxy in early Christianity has shaped and largely defined modern New Testament criticism, recently given new life through the work of spokesmen like Bart Ehrman. Spreading from academia into mainstream media, the suggestion that diversity of doctrine in the early church led to many competing orthodoxies is indicative of today's postmodern relativism. Authors Köstenberger and Kruger engage Ehrman and others in this polemic against a dogged adherence to popular ideals of diversity.

Köstenberger and Kruger's accessible and careful scholarship not only counters the 'Bauer Thesis' using its own terms, but also engages overlooked evidence from the New Testament. Their conclusions are drawn from analysis of the evidence of unity in the New Testament, the formation and closing of the canon, and the methodology and integrity of the recording and distribution of religious texts within the early church.

  • Author

    Michael J. Kruger

  • Book Format

    Paperback

  • Publisher

    Intervarsity Press (IVP)

  • Published

    July 2010

  • Weight

    346g

  • Page Count

    224

  • Dimensions

    14 x 21.6 x 1.8 cm

  • ISBN

    9781844744466

  • ISBN-10

    1844744469

  • Eden Code

    3463576

"In the beginning was Diversity. And the Diversity was with God, and the Diversity was God. Without Diversity was nothing made that was made. And it came to pass that nasty old 'orthodox' people narrowed down diversity and finally squeezed it out, dismissing it as heresy. But in the fullness of time (which is of course our time), Diversity rose up and smote orthodoxy hip and thigh. Now, praise be, the only heresy is orthodoxy. As widely and as unthinkingly accepted as this reconstruction is, it is historical nonsense: the emperor has no clothes. I am grateful to Andreas K

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    In the postmodern era of diversity and pluralism where truth is in the beholder’s eyes and access to a plethora of theologians who aim to debunk traditional standpoints with attractive sounding conspiracy theories, under-pinned by pseudo-theology and hyper-selective or poorly researched history, it is a welcome pleasure to recommend The Heresy of Orthodoxy as a brilliant repost. Pontius Pilate’s “What is Truth” (John 18:38) still has incredible resonance today and this book crafts a devastating and forensic counter to the more liberal / pluralist theology espoused by Walter Bauer in the early 20th Century and expanded by today’s theologians Bart Ehrman and the Jesus Seminar cohort. The strength of the Bauer-Ehrman thesis is that it co-ordinates with much of today’s contemporary philosophies but The Heresy of Orthodoxy will provide any evangelically orthodox minded Christian with powerful reasons why contemporary liberal theology is such a sham and found wanting logically, historically and theologically. Easy to read and understand, extensively foot-noted and well laid out this book will be a useful tool to student, pastor and mature Christian alike. Once read, it will be a book to quote from, lend out and use on any occasion that controversy is encountered.

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