A History of Christian Doctrine #3 - Online Christian Library

Liberalism and Neo-Orthodoxy
Evaluation of Neo-Orthodoxy
In summary, Neo-Orthodoxy was not an organized
movement but a grouping of theologies that reacted
against Liberalism yet used many of the critical tools of
Liberalism. The key beliefs were the sovereignty of God,
the grace of God, the sinfulness of humanity, the necessity
of divine revelation for people to know God, the revelation
of God in Christ, the Scriptures as containing (but
not being identical to) the Word of God, and the need for
a personal encounter with God.
The Neo-Orthodox theologians clearly identified the
errors of Liberalism. In this they were aided by the First
and Second World Wars, which for many people shattered
the humanistic notions that people are basically good,
can perfect themselves, and can establish the kingdom of
God on earth.
On the other hand, the Neo-Orthodox theologians
were willing to question traditional beliefs and terminology.
They were more interested in basing their views on
Scripture rather than historic creeds. The doctrine of the
trinity is a case in point. Some were critical of traditional
trinitarian terms. Others continued to use them but reinterpreted
them. They were often more frank and insightful
than Evangelicals in acknowledging the historical development
of the doctrine of the trinity, because they did not
feel bound to defend every traditional formulation. 208
In the final analysis, however, the Neo-Orthodox theologians
did not return completely to biblical truth,
because they did not fully accept the authority of the
Bible as the Word of God. While they refuted the central
tenets of Liberalism and discarded some aspects of nonbiblical
tradition, they failed to acknowledge in full the
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