September 19, 2025Open Access

The Nature of Christian Doctrine: A Conversation with My Critics

Key Points

The article identifies six main themes of christian doctrine, emphasizing the early church as an epistemic community vital for knowledge production.
Notable parallels between modern inference processes and early christian efforts illustrate the search for coherent biblical interpretations.
Insights from six critics reveal important considerations for advancing discussions surrounding early doctrinal development.
The exploration addresses contemporary significance, showcasing how historical interpretations continue to inform modern practices.

Abstract

Abstract This article opens with a brief account of the six main themes of The Nature of Christian Doctrine , noting in particular the role of the early church as an ‘epistemic community’ of knowledge production, and the significant and helpful parallels between the modern scientific tool of ‘inference to the best explanation’ and early Christian attempts to identify the best overall account of the biblical witness to the identity and significance of Christ. I then respond to the helpful and insightful comments of my six critics, noting how their comments help us to move ahead discussion of early Christian doctrinal development and its contemporary significance.

The Nature of Christian Doctrine: A Conversation with My Critics

Key Points

Abstract

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