Accessible Theology and a Call to Integrity

books:


	• Questions to All Your Answers: The Journey from Folk Religion to Examined Faith Roger E. Olson Zondervan, 2008 - 192 pages average customer review:based on 4 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

Accessible Theology and a Call to Integrity

Olson has done a wonderful job of addressing theology in a way that a teenager can grasp and yet a person with multiple degrees can appreciate. He covers a wide variety of common phrases and forces the reader to really wrestle with the words we choose. I found it helpful and insightful.

He touches on just about every current theological debate today. Pastors should buy this book, read it, and hand it out to their congregation. We need more of this healthy and helpful theology in the hands of people who profess Jesus as Lord.

Not my favorite

Almost seeming to play devil's advocate at times, Olson often made interesting statements that required several pages of explaining afterwards. Granted, with any theological discussion, doctrinal and personal conviction differences will lead to disagreement in areas, but sometimes I just got frustrated with his writing. In all fairness, though, he made several good points, challenging the assumptions, stereotypes, traditions and elements of contemporary Christian culture and forcing the reader to evaluate his or her own stance. It just wasn't my favorite of its genre.

for more information click here

Provoking Questions, OK Answers

Roger Olson wants Christians to think. And I don't blame him.

Olson has rightly identified the plague of "folk religion" in contemporary Christianity. Cliches such as "God is in Control," "Jesus is the Answer," "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves," are just a few of Olson's chapter titles which help set the platform for his argument. He claims that pithy slogans such as these may seem OK on the surface, but often raise more questions than they do solid answers. In and of themselves, these slogans aren't intellectually satisfying. When engaging skeptics Olson wants to see a more thoughtful Christianity rise to the forefront which can provide answers with depth and credibility.

I found this book fairly provocative, both in title and in outline. When I came to the content, however, there were portions that left much to be desired. Olson raises some good questions, but sometimes his answers are just OK. This may be rooted in discomfort I have with aspects of Olson's explanation of Arminianism (particularly his articulation of God's sovereignty). Given the opportunity, Olson may be able to ease some of my reservations, but this book wasn't the place to extensively lay out that aspect of his theology.

For persons who want to be challenged to think deeper beyond religious cliches, this might be a helpful book.

for more information click here

Thoughtful Christianity vs. Folk Religion.

Many well-meaning American Christians are complacent in their faith. Isolation from the rest of the world and lack of persecution has led to this regrettable state of affairs. However, Christians can no longer afford to take refuge in theological ignorance and "easy believism" (if they ever could). With intelligent and articulate atheist authors like Dawkins, Harris, and Hitchens challenging Christianity and religion in general, believers must be "wise as serpents" and know how to respond. "Questions To All Your Answers" is an excellent first step towards that goal.

I had to go to seminary to grow past what the author calls "folk religion:" a shallow faith that rests upon trite sayings and half-truths. A seminary education may not be practical for all, but books like this one will help the average Christian develop critical thinking skills and inspire him or her to go deeper into the solid food of doctrine. Mr. Olson (no relation) turns a gimlet eye on ten pat "answers" that many Christians take for granted. Examples include trite or spurious beliefs such as "God is in control" and "God helps those who help themselves."

The author sets the tone in the first chapter by deconstructing the lazy path of shrugging off hard questions as "mysteries." Continuing on, there's a particularly interesting analysis in Chapter 5 about the statement, "God has a perfect plan for your life." Like the 90s-era Considering Lily song "Great Expectations," the idea of said plan sounds good - but how does it look in reality? Relying upon a scripted divine path often translates into abdication from personal responsibility due to fear. The author's insightful comparison of the "blueprint" vs. "canvas and paints" analogies of God's will is a wake-up call for Christians who can't make a major decision without using a fleece.

I found the counter-questions raised for each chapter's "answer" to be thought-provoking. Indeed, I wished that the book were longer and even more in-depth. As for issues with "Questions To All Your Answers," I had only one: the lack of an appendix containing book references for further reading. The author cites some influential tomes throughout the text, but a comprehensive list would've made further research a bit easier. But at least the titles are there to enable a curious reader to go deeper.

I commend Mr. Olson for this necessary book. I agree with him that it's time for Christians to leave behind childhood's milk and begin eating the solid food of Scripture. A quote by the author sums up his purpose: "All I want to do is persuade Christians to think critically about unexamined assumptions...(pg. 133)." "Questions To All Your Answers" will certainly help in that regard. Highly recommended for jump-starting lethargic Christians out of their intellectual slumber.

for more information click here

Many evangelicals have embraced a Christianized ?folk religion? characterized by glib sayings they?ve never deeply examined. Looking at ten popular Christian slogans in the light of Scripture, this book encourages us to reach for a deeper, well-grounded faith that engages the intellect as well as the heart with the Bible.