Retrievals in Contemporary Christian Theology

Abstract

This chapter explores the retrievals of patristic exegesis among Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant Christians since the 1930s. The contributions of Georges Florovsky, Vladimir Lossky, Jean Daniélou, Henri de Lubac, and Hans Urs von Balthasar are singled out for particular significance. Among Protestants, the most important work has been done in recent decades, especially by Thomas Oden, who has spearheaded a popular series of compilations of patristic commentary, and by scholars who are producing commentaries on biblical books that include the reception history. Lest the term ‘retrieval’ be misleading, the chapter notes that patristic exegesis was well known in prior centuries as well, and indeed it continued to guide Catholic and Orthodox biblical studies into the early part of the twentieth century.