Re-envisioning Radical Orthodoxy - More Radical, Less Orthodox - Extended Essay - World Religions

Sep 22, 2026

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Investigation examines whether radically orthodox theology can practice tolerance toward other religious narratives, comparing John Milbank and Graham Ward. Rooted in postmodern and poststructural sensibilities, radical orthodoxy is treated through competing interpretations of tolerance. Evidence draws on Frank Burch Brown’s criticism to evaluate how Milbank’s imperial Christendom framing diminishes openness, while Ward’s analogical theology between city and faith communities supports greater relational tolerance and acceptance of other narratives’ accuracy potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

AccessFree to download

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

The political and theological context

Radical orthodoxy: origins and defining sensibility

Scope and guiding critique

Re-envisioning RadicalOrthodoxy:More Radical,Less Orthodox Re-envisioning Radical Orthodoxy:More Radical,Less Orthodox Extended Essay-World Religions January 26,2007 3,910 Words Re-envisioning Radical Orthodoxy:More Radical,Less Orthodox # ABSTRACT The question proposed by this investigation is one of tolerance;specifically,is radically orthodoxtheology capable of tolerance towards other religious narratives?Radical orthodoxy is apostmodern and poststructuralist sensibility with Christianity launched and to some extentchampioned by John Milbank.The scope of the investigation is a comparison between the workof Milbank and Graham Ward in regards to the level of tolerance of their relative interpretationsof radical orthodoxy,drawing heavily on the criticism leveled by Frank Burch Brown.ThoughMilbank created the radical orthodoxy sensibility,he lost touch with its postmodern roots earlyon and was surpassed by other members of his sensibility,particularly Graham Ward.WhileMilbank continually ignores other faiths and preaches a form of imperial Christianity thatappears on the threshold of a new Christendom,Ward addresses other theological discourseshead on,developing a more radical theology that establishes a greater level of tolerance of thoseof other faiths.Ward's radicalism is based on a theology of analogical relations between peopleof the city,people of different faiths,equally invested.Although virtually no religion can acceptother religions as true,they can and should accept the possibility of such an actuality,and basedon the relative nature of postmodern truth,radical orthodoxy ought to be especially capable ofaccepting the possibility that other religious narratives are at least equally,if not more,accurate.However,Milbank's radical orthodoxy is consumed by a desire to proclaim Christianity as theone ultimate Truth,a desire belied by Graham Ward's more radically postmodern interpretation.While Milbank invented radical orthodoxy,Graham Ward's tolerant strain of it is more inaccordance with its original intent and the reality of relations outside of faith communities.Therefore,radical orthodoxy,in Ward's understanding,is tolerant of other religious narratives. Word Count -296 Re-envisioning RadicalOrthodoxy: More Radical, Less Orthodox # TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 TABLE OF CONTENTS………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………ii INTRODUCTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………1 BODY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………5 CONCLUSION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………14 BIBLIOGRAPHY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………16 # INTRODUCTION Recent American politics has become a duel between the“Christian Right,”a set ofprimarily evangelical Christian sects that have defined the political base of the current administration,and the“Atheist Left,”a group of mostly New England liberals who argue for anabsolute separation of the church and state nearly to the point of suggesting atheist government(Vanita;Coulter 17).In light of the rapid divergence of these political ideologies,scholars havebegun to search for principles and beliefs that can break down the radicalizing force of these twoclashing principles.A major element in the search for compromise has been a theological one-exploring Christianity in a manner that allows it to transcend a purely conservative politicalperspective.The Christian Left offers a growing alternative to traditionally conservativeChristian political theory. A prominent member of the politically liberal Christian faction is radical orthodoxy,apredominantly British and Canadian theological sensibility based in large part on Frenchpostmodern and poststructuralist philosophers.In addition to a base in poststructuralist Frenchphilosophers,radically orthodox theologians also draw heavily on the work of severaltheologians-both recent and early.Ra

FAQs

What is the central question of the investigation?

Whether radically orthodox theology is capable of tolerance toward other religious narratives.

How does the essay compare John Milbank and Graham Ward?

It contrasts Milbank’s direction, which is portrayed as less tolerant due to an imperial Christianity impulse, with Ward’s more radically postmodern approach that develops greater tolerance.

On what basis does the essay claim Ward’s radicalism supports tolerance?

Ward’s radicalism is grounded in a theology of analogical relations between people and faith communities, allowing acceptance of other religious narratives as equally or more accurate in possibility.

Sep 22, 2026

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