[Oe List ...] Salmon: info on Tom Oden

Bill Salmon wsalmon at cox.net
Tue Feb 5 15:46:29 EST 2008


Jim Wheeler, a local colleague from OKC, is a long-time friend of Tom Oden. Tom read Wheeler's (and my own) Credo at Perkins back in 1960. Jim tells me that Oden wrote his own Phd. dissertation on "Radical Obedience: the ethics of Rudolph Bulrmann." Jim believes that Oden's work may be referenced as supporting material in the Bultmann lecture. 
    Wheeler reports that the next time he an Tom visit he'll bring up the topic. 
    At present Tom Oden is the brother of Bill Oden, a United Methodist Bishop. Tom is a member of a conservative Think Tank called The Institute of Religious Democracy; this title is close but may not be entirely accurate. Anyway, Oden is a guiding light in the UM Renewal Movement; such as it is (I said cynically). 
    A web search will reveal biographies of both men. Also, the search for the title of the book comes up easily. 
    If I got the story right, Tom--as a part of this think tank--had an audience with the Pope in Rome. After introductions, the Pope and the team sat down for tea, and the Pope asked Tom if he was related to Bishop Bill Oden who was raised in OKC, etc. Interesting that we live in a small world--but--what the hell--we've lived that now for almost 50 years.  
        By-the-way, Weigle, do you want the story of the book writing team in Rome when we ran out of money and used my credit card. Then had a celebrative meal at a local family Italian restaurant? 
    Anyway, for what it is worth. 
    Pastor Bill 
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