In The Mosaic of Christian Belief Roger E. Olson thematically traces the contours of Christian belief down through the ages, revealing a pattern of both unity and diversity. He finds a consensus of teaching that is both unitive and able to incorporate a faithful diversity when not forced into the molds of false either-or alternatives. The mosaic that emerges from Olson's work, now updated throughout and with a new chapter on the Holy Spirit, displays a mediating evangelical theology that is irenic in spirit and tone. Olson, writing with nonspecialists in mind, has masterfully sketched out the contours of the Great Tradition of the Christian faith with simplicity while avoiding oversimplification.
Liberal Christian theology is a big topic in today's churches and seminaries. But what does liberal theology really mean and why is it so controversial? What does it actually believe about truth, Scripture, and Jesus Christ? And where does it lead?
The term 'liberal theology' is often misinterpreted, confused with a set of loose ideologies within the Christian faith and sometimes rallied behind by genuine Christians who are simply concerned about modern social justice issues. It's also been wrongly leveled against churches and even entire denominations that don't adhere to the tradition of liberal theology.
Against Liberal Theology, is written in a direct and conversational tone that makes sense of this theological movement by:
- Defining liberal theology and explaining its beliefs about central Christian doctrines.
- Giving its history and progression-beginning with 18th century German theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher and leading up to today.
- Making distinctions between liberal theology and simple moderate or progressive Christian thought, much of which is still biblically committed and doctrinally orthodox.
- Discussing the arguments of specific liberal theologians and what their words mean in regard to everyday Christian living and faith.
Sincere and to the point, professor and theologian Roger E. Olson is not interested in grinding axes. He openly admits to frustration with fundamentalist Christianity and explains why. But he warns that true liberal theology-more concerned with making Christianity palatable to the modern mind than it is committed to biblical integrity-isn't the right alternative to the cultic tendencies of fundamentalism and has little in common with classical, biblical Christianity.
Against Liberal Theology is perfect for Christians on any side of a cultural debate-for those who consider themselves progressive or conservative or something in between.
It's always unpopular to be against anything. But in order for Christianity to be anything, it has to stand against some things. If Christianity is compatible with anything and everything, it is nothing.
To many Christians theology is something alien, overly intellectual and wholly unappealing. Even seminary students are known to balk at the prospect of a course on theology. Yet theology--most simply, the knowledge of God--is essential to the life and health of the church. In this short introduction, Stanley Grenz and Roger Olson, two theologians who care deeply about the witness of ordinary Christians and the ministry of the church, show what theology is, what tools theology uses, why every believer (advanced degrees or not) is a theologian and how the theological enterprise can be productive and satisfying. Their clear, easily understood book is ideal for students, church study groups and individual Christians who want to strengthen understanding, belief and commitment by coming to know God more fully.
The Essentials of Christian Thought: Audio Lectures, part of The Zondervan Beyond the Basics Video Series, features theologian Roger Olson as he outlines the necessary principles of a Christian outlook on the world. Based on Olson's book by the same title, these lessons will challenge and inform as they lay out the essentials of Christian thought.
Calvinist theology has been debated and promoted for centuries. But is it a theology that should last? Roger Olson suggests that Calvinism, also commonly known as Reformed theology, holds an unwarranted place in our list of accepted theologies.
In Against Calvinism, readers will find scholarly arguments explaining why Calvinist theology is incorrect and how it affects God's reputation. Olson draws on a variety of sources, including Scripture, reason, tradition, and experience, to support his critique of Calvinism and the more historically rich, biblically faithful alternative theologies he proposes.
Addressing what many evangelical Christians are concerned about today---so-called 'new Calvinism,' a movement embraced by a generation labeled as 'young, restless, Reformed' ---Against Calvinism is the only book of its kind to offer objections from a non-Calvinist perspective to the current wave of Calvinism among Christian youth.
As a companion to Michael Horton's For Calvinism, readers will be able to compare contrasting perspectives and form their own opinions on the merits and weaknesses of Calvinism.
Four Views on the Spectrum of Evangelicalism compares and contrasts four distinct positions on the current fundamentalist-evangelical spectrum in light of the history of American fundamentalism and evangelicalism.
The contributors each state their case for one of four views on the spectrum of evangelicalism:
-Kevin T. Bauder: Fundamentalism
-R. Albert Mohler Jr.: Conservative/confessional evangelicalism
-John G. Stackhouse Jr.: Generic evangelicalism
-Roger E. Olson: Postconservative evangelicalism
Each author explains his position, which is critiqued by the other three authors. The interactive and fair-minded nature of the Counterpoints format allows the reader to consider the strengths and weaknesses of each view and draw informed, personal conclusions.
The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Bible and Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.
'Jesus is the answer.'
'God has a perfect plan for your life.'
'All sins are equal.'
Sayings like these may make catchy bumper stickers, but as deep, life-changing truths they fall short. They are the earmarks of 'folk religion'---a badly distorted pop-Christianity that thrives on cliches and slogans and resists reflection and examination. Such pat spiritual answers often contain a nugget of truth, but that truth is easily misunderstood and misapplied in ways that do more harm than good.
Roger Olson encourages us to reach for a higher and deeper faith. Examining ten prevalent Christian beliefs, he raises questions that encourage us to engage our minds with the Scriptures in order to carefully consider what it is we believe and why. You'll be surprised at what you find. Questions to All Your Answers will help you use the God-given gift of your intellect to sift through glib sayings that sound right to what actually is right---to truth that really can set you and others free.
Many people equate evangelical Christianity with conservatism in religion, politics, theology and social attitudes. Some are scandalized by any separation between them. As one evangelical pastor's wife declared to a church group 'We are a conservative people!'
In fact, however, evangelicals have not always been conservative; radical stances on doctrines, worship, social norms, politics and church leadership have often marked evangelicalism in the past. The 2007 movie Amazing Grace about William Wilberforce's protracted battle against the slave trade featured a small group of British evangelicals committed to abolition. The same radicalism characterized much of American evangelicalism in the years before the Civil War.
In recent years the American media have portrayed the evangelical movement as a conservative force in society sometimes equating it with fundamentalism and puritanism. The missing piece of the story is, however, that both fundamentalism and puritanism contained radical elements that opposed the status quo.
This book sets forth evidence that the link between evangelicalism and conservatism has not always been as strong as it is today in the popular mind and it will provide suggestions for contemporary evangelicals who want to remain evangelical (and not become 'post-evangelical') without identifying with conservatism in every way.
The Shack has touched millions of readers with its portrayal of a compassionate God in the face of great evil. Many have identified with the main character’s Great Sadness, the terrible burden of grief that often accompanies and follows a deep loss. The Great Sadness is part of the human condition. And it compels us to ask, Where is God? Who is God? Can God be trusted? Roger Olson, who has faced his own Great Sadness, finds a good deal of comfort in this much beloved story as have so many others. Olson also views The Shack with a theologian’s eye and finds much to endorse. He delves into many of the significant issues raised by the book, such as forgiving those who have done us great evil, how God acts in the world, how God is three persons in one and what difference this makes to us. While he offers his own criticisms and questions of the book, he largely finds the truth about God in The Shack.
