✦ TH501 Basic Christian Doctrine ✦
An interactive study companion to Thomas C. Oden's systematic theology — mapping heresies, debated viewpoints, and settled doctrines of the ancient ecumenical faith
Thomas C. Oden · Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology
Oden's life work was to present not his own theology but the consensus fidelium — what the whole church has believed, always, everywhere, and by all. These three reference charts map that project: what the church has condemned as heresy, what it has debated across traditions, and what it has unanimously received as settled truth.
Every heterodox teaching the ecumenical church examined and rejected — from Arianism to Iconoclasm — with the arguments made for each, the orthodox responses against each, who originated it, and the council that condemned it.
The great ongoing disputes of Christian theology — where honest, orthodox believers have disagreed. Each debate shows all competing positions, their advocates, Oden's consensual stance, and which modern denominations hold each view.
The affirmations Oden argues are the received, tested, and repeatedly confirmed teaching of orthodox Christianity — doctrines he presents not as his personal opinion but as what the whole church has believed across East, West, Catholic, and Protestant traditions.
✦ How to Use These Charts ✦
Each chart has filter buttons at the top — narrow by Christology, Soteriology, Eschatology, and more to focus your study on one area of doctrine.
Every card opens a full modal with complete arguments, Oden's direct quotations, conciliar decisions, key scripture passages, and source citations.
The Viewpoints chart includes a section on which modern denominations hold each position — useful for understanding where your own tradition stands.
The three charts are designed to work together: a doctrine in Chart III may have a corresponding heresy in Chart I and a contested question in Chart II.