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A review by ewp11577
The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition Reform by Roger E. Olson
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.