The Classic Consensual Teaching of Grace

When Thomas Oden sat down to write a book on the doctrine of grace, he was bent on resisting the temptation to quote modern writers on the subject. Rather, he was resolved to focus on early consensual assent to the teaching of grace. Therefore, his book contains more citations from earlier sources than later. But, as he says,

"Not because of an antiquarian nostalgia for that which is older, but because antiquity is a criterion of authentic memory in any historical testimony, and because the most ancient attesters have had longer to shape the ecumenical tradition of lay consent."

Oden reaches back into the history of the Church and draws upon the ecumenical consensus regarding grace. In short, he utilizes the Vincentian rule. In the introduction of his book he says,

"I seek quite simply to express the one mind of the believing church which has been ever attentive to that apostolic teaching to which consent has been given by Christian believers everywhere (ubique), always (semper), and by all (omnibus). This is what is meant by the Vincentian method, after Vincent of Lerins, who offered this rule for judging any claim to ecumenical teaching: By the threefold test of ecumenicity, antiquity, and general lay consent, the believing community may distinguish between true and false teaching."

The Transforming Power of Grace lets you hear from the communion of saints regarding grace. It focuses on the ancient Christian tradition - the faith which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all. That is the primary reason I bought the book. I wanted to learn about grace - not from a select few but from the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church.