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4.2 ★★★★★
Based on 28 reviews
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★★★★★ 4
Great Foundational Book
Format: Hardcover
If you've ever wondered how the major pieces of Christian theology --things like the Trinity, Predestination, and Baptism-- you will find them here. Dr. Olson, a historian by trade, takes on the places, times, and movements that developed and hardened the Christian doctrines we know today. Essentially, this book follows a strictly chronological format, starting from the birth of the Church in the book of Acts, and carrying through to the split of the Fundamentalist movement and Reformed theology in the 20th Century.
The first section deals with the fundamental heresies that came in with the founding of the Church by examining the writing of the Patristic Fathers, the Apologetic Fathers, and then focusing specifically on Irenaeus. Here the fundamental issues of the nature of Christ in his incarnation were initially resolved. Of course, many of these issues have risen again in recent time with the formation of heretical branches of Christian thought, such as the Jehovah's Witnesses and the LDS Church.
The second section deals with the unity of the Church which is primarily founded on the conversion of Rome to a Christian state. While Dr. Olson does a good job of explain the good results of the unity of the Church, he doesn't cover the concerns of those Christians who objected to the sacralism of merging the state and church, and using state power to impose consistency of theology.
The major argument over the nature of the Trinity is dealt with in the fourth section, and the fifth returns to the nature of Christ. Section five describes the split between the Eastern and Western church over the issue of the procession of the Spirit --does the Spirit proceed only from the Father, or from the Father and the Son. According to Dr. Olson, the theological quarrel was founded on different views of the place of Scripture and hermeneutics.
Martin Luther, John Calvin, and the Reformers are covered in the seventh section. Dr. Olson provides good insight into the relationship between the various Reformers, laying the groundwork for the ultimate split of the Reformed movement described in section eight. The author's ability to lay out the relationships in this section provides a very easy to understand historical picture, though he tends to downplay the role and objections of the Anabaptists, and the sacralizing power grounded in Constantinian Christianity.
In the final section Dr. Olson discusses the split between liberal and conservative Christianity, the split between fundamentalism and mainline Christianity. Some of the most interesting pieces he discusses here relate to the role of Billy Graham's ministry, and the role of various schools, strong personalities, and even the impact of scientific thinking in this era.
A long read, but a good basis from which to reach out and investigate Christian history and theology.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2012
★★★★★ 5
Great Read for "Emerging" Christians (Kindle edition)
Format: Hardcover
I have a lot to say which is positive about this book, but first let me say my one disappointment:
In his review of theological development of the 20th century, he completely skipped over the pentecostal and charismatic movements. He spent lots of time discussing liberation and feminist theologies, but skipped over these massive movements which claim followers in the 100s of millions. This is surprising to me do to the author's pentecostal roots and the fact that he is a solidly evangelical theologian. It could be argued that these movements haven't introduce "new doctrine" but rather just a "new emphasis" on existing doctrines such as spiritual gifts or the Holy Spirit. True, but then why did he spend so much time discussing the Pietists for whom the same could be argued. The theological influence of the pentecostal and charismatic movements is significant and their omission is glaring.
Other than that...
This is a timely book, especially for younger Christians. So many "emerging" Christians are writing books and spouting off ideas which they take to be new and innovative. Reading this book shows you just how tiered they are. Reading Olson's chapter on the emergence of 19th century theological liberalism in Germany reminded me of the last Brian McLaren book I read. Same ideas, but but in the context of church history one realises that these "new perspectives" have already been tried and found wanting. Solomon's declaration that, "There is nothing new under the sun" is what rand through my ears when I considered what a lot of hip, trendy, "innovative" preachers are saying now-a-days.
Olson's dealing with Catholic and Orthodox church history was fair and unbiased given that many evangelical protestants often are when writing about them. I personally learned a lot about both the Scholastics as well as the Pietists. I also valued his perspective on Augustine.
It is a great one volume work. Also, unlike the other reviewer, my Kindle version worked just fine.
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Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2010
★★★★★ 5
Now I finally have a much better understand of theology
Format: Hardcover
I have always had a fascination with Christian theology and history. What could be better than a book on the history of Christian theology? It turns out that this book exceeded my expectations. What had been a confused and fuzzy understanding of theology has now crystallized into a much clearer view of the big picture. This helps to confirm my belief that the best way to understand any subject is by learning its history.
Olsen's writing style is clear, concise and very interesting. I like how he is able to summarize vast quantities of information and ideas in such a short amount of space. I'm not saying this book is short, it is still over 600 pages long, but it could have been much longer.
Olsen has obvious leanings on which doctrines he supports, and those that he doesn't. I didn't find his biases distracting, and it is always nice to know which way an author is leaning. I thought he did a reasonable job presenting the variety of worldviews within Christianity in a fair manner.
I personally have the most experience studying early Christianity and I still learned a lot from this book. My weakest area of understanding was in modern theology and this gave me a good view at least to the year 2000. I'll probably need to get some advice on a good book to update me on current theology.
I highly recommend this book for anyone interested understanding the history and diversity of Christianity.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2009
★★★★★ 5
Great Church History Book - Very Readable!
Format: Hardcover
I'm really enjoying this history of theology. I'm only about 250 pages into it, but so far it has been very readable. I know it's not strictly a church history book, but it really has shed a lot of light on the people and the events that shaped the church in the first four or five centuries (that's as far as I have read so far).
I now feel like I have a much better understanding what all the debates were about, and especially the major heresies that arose during those centuries, and about the meanings of some of the key terms (homoousios, homoiousios, etc.) And this is the first book that has made the byzantine debates around the Chalcedonian councils at least somewhat comprehensible to me.
If the first 250 pages are any measure of how the rest of the book will be, I know it will be good! I can't wait to read about Augustine, medieval and scholastic theology, Aquinas, and especially the reformation.
I'll come back after I finish the book and complete this report. So far, it's five star material for sure.
Edit. After finishing this book I can only add that it is a wonderful book by a great author. The book kept my attention and was always interesting. I highly recommend it!
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Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2019
★★★★★ 5
Super!
Format: Hardcover
A great book.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2025