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rebeccacarolp's review
4.0
Disclaimer: Read this book for class over two semesters; I think we skipped a couple of chapters.
davehershey's review
3.0
This book reminds me of Bruce Shelley's Church History in Plain Language in its length and purpose. Olson gives us an overview of Christian theology beginning with the Apostolic Fathers, moving through the early church, the medieval Scholastics, the Reformation and on up to the 20th century. It is not a brief overview by any means, at 600 pages. Yet so much work has been done in Christian theology, any one section taken alone will seem too shallow. Thus, it is a good book for those interested in beginning to go a bit deeper in historical theology or for those who want a refresher course.
While Olson attempts to keep his bias to a minimum, it is clear that he leans to the Arminian (synergistic) side over against the Calvinist (monergistic) side. At the same time, I think he presented a mostly balanced view. There were some places that seemed to present a distorted view. For example, he mentioned numerous times that Tertullian wrote "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" to show that Tertullian opposed Christian use of secular philosophy. Yet in passing he mentions that Tertullian was well versed in philosophy, was influenced by Stoicism and that he was no mere biblicist (or 20th century fundamentalist). But I wonder if the reader with no prior knowledge would only remember Tertullian as opposing use of philosophy?
At any rate, this is a good book for any who want to learn the over-arching story of Christian theology or want to re-learn some of what they forgot from earlier study!
While Olson attempts to keep his bias to a minimum, it is clear that he leans to the Arminian (synergistic) side over against the Calvinist (monergistic) side. At the same time, I think he presented a mostly balanced view. There were some places that seemed to present a distorted view. For example, he mentioned numerous times that Tertullian wrote "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" to show that Tertullian opposed Christian use of secular philosophy. Yet in passing he mentions that Tertullian was well versed in philosophy, was influenced by Stoicism and that he was no mere biblicist (or 20th century fundamentalist). But I wonder if the reader with no prior knowledge would only remember Tertullian as opposing use of philosophy?
At any rate, this is a good book for any who want to learn the over-arching story of Christian theology or want to re-learn some of what they forgot from earlier study!
mbeck's review
2.0
Some helpful historical facts but falls short where so many other church history/historical theology texts excel. Olsen writes from a classical Arminian, egalitarian, liberal perspective. Those views often make their way into the historical narrative. Such views may confuse the reader who thinks such statements are actually history rather than Olsen's reading of history.
ewp11577's review
5.0
I was required to read this book for a Masters-level theology class at Ohio Christian. Had it not been required, I may not have read it, but I am glad that I did. This is more in-depth than a survey, but not an examination of the most minute detail on Christian theology. The primary strength of Olson's work is that it traces the documentation of Christian theology through the centuries via ecumenical councils and great thinkers.
Olson does not shy away from those who effectively preached heresy and even gives some strong points that these have made that are worth remembering. He also clarifies the myth that canon was voted on and that theology was determined democratically--simply untrue, these councils met to document what was largely accepted at the time and to answer stark heresies such as Arianism and Nestorianism.
Included toward the end are the challenges the modern church faces with postmodern thinking and neo-Orthodoxy, though a bit more of a touch of certain wildly popular heresies would be in order (most likely in and updated fashion). Nevertheless, a good book for a church historian to read alongside other material to get a fuller picture.
Olson does not shy away from those who effectively preached heresy and even gives some strong points that these have made that are worth remembering. He also clarifies the myth that canon was voted on and that theology was determined democratically--simply untrue, these councils met to document what was largely accepted at the time and to answer stark heresies such as Arianism and Nestorianism.
Included toward the end are the challenges the modern church faces with postmodern thinking and neo-Orthodoxy, though a bit more of a touch of certain wildly popular heresies would be in order (most likely in and updated fashion). Nevertheless, a good book for a church historian to read alongside other material to get a fuller picture.
cassianlynne's review against another edition
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
northeastbookworm's review against another edition
2.0
At first glance this appears to be a balanced and well written history of the development of Christian Theology. Unfortunately like most written histories of christian doctrine it is written entirely from
a western point of view with very little coverage of the the east. In fact the east is forgotten after 6th or 7th century. if you are looking
for the history of christian doctrine go to Pelikan, McGrath, or Gonzalez.
a western point of view with very little coverage of the the east. In fact the east is forgotten after 6th or 7th century. if you are looking
for the history of christian doctrine go to Pelikan, McGrath, or Gonzalez.
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