📘 Lexicon Entry: Backward Vector

Campbell’s term for theological methodology that begins with Christ’s death and resurrection and reinterprets everything retrospectively, contrasted with “forward vector” that establishes universal principles first

Theological methodology developed by Douglas A. Campbell that begins with Christ’s death and resurrection as the foundational revelation and reinterprets all theological understanding retrospectively in light of this central event. This approach, also known as retrospective logic, fundamentally challenges Forward Vector methodologies that establish universal principles or conditions that Christ must then fulfill. The backward vector makes Christ foundational rather than instrumental to theological understanding, naturally leading to Participatory Soteriology rather than contractual frameworks. This methodology provides a critical alternative to Primitive Biblicism and other mutations that subject Christ to external interpretive criteria.

Theological Alternative

theological method, retrospective logic, Campbell, apocalyptic Paul, Barthian theology, participatory framework, biblical interpretation

Geevarghese-Uffman, Craig. “Backward Vector.” *Political Theology Lexicon*. https://www.commonlifepolitics.com/p/lexicon. Accessed [date].

Theological methodology grounded in Christ’s revelation as interpretive starting point rather than universal principles

Apocalyptic epistemology where knowledge comes through divine intervention rather than natural reasoning

Christological priority that makes Christ foundational to all theological reflection

Integration with participatory frameworks that emphasize incorporation into Christ

Forward vector approaches that establish universal principles before engaging Christ’s revelation

Foundationalist epistemologies that ground theological certainty in self-evident propositions

Natural theology that claims knowledge of God apart from Christ’s self-revelation

Contractual frameworks where Christ satisfies conditions established independently of him

Begins with God’s self-revelation in Christ, particularly his death and resurrection

Reinterprets everything retrospectively in light of this central revelation

Makes Christ foundational rather than instrumental to theological understanding

Employs apocalyptic epistemology where knowledge comes through divine intervention

Leads naturally to participatory frameworks emphasizing incorporation into Christ

Challenges systematic theology that begins with philosophical categories

Builds on Barthian rejection of natural theology and foundationalist approaches

Connected to apocalyptic Paul scholarship emphasizing divine intervention over human reasoning

Integrates with post-foundationalist epistemology and narrative theology

Emerges from critique of “Justification Theory” that employs forward vector reasoning

Christ as interpretive key to all Scripture Luke 24:27

Paul’s reinterpretation of his past through Christ Philippians 3:7-8

"All things hold together in him" Colossians 1:17 – Christ as coherence principle

Christ as "the way, the truth, and the life" John 14:6

Alternative to systematic theology that begins with philosophical categories before engaging Scripture

Challenge to apologetic methods that establish rational criteria for evaluating Christian claims

Integration with narrative theology emphasizing story over propositions

Resistance to foundationalist apologetics in evangelical theology

Developed in Campbell’s critique of “Justification Theory” in “The Deliverance of God” and refined in “Beyond Justification”

Connected to broader apocalyptic Paul scholarship challenging traditional Protestant readings

Integrates with postmodern critiques of objective, universal knowledge claims

Influences biblical interpretation methodology in academic contexts

Related Primary Concepts: Forward vs. Backward Vector, Retrospective Logic

Key Alternatives: Participatory Soteriology, Analogical Metaphysics

Methodological Context: Sachkritik, Analogical Reading

Contemporary Movements: Post-foundationalism, Knowledge as Participation

May 26, 2025

*This entry is part of the Political Theology Lexicon, accessible exclusively to subscribers. View the complete lexicon to explore related concepts and the full theoretical framework.*