The Mosaic of Christian Belief: Twenty Centuries of Unity and Diversity

by Roger E. Olson

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830851256
Publisher:	InterVarsity Press
Publication date:	04/01/2016
Edition description:	Second Edition, Revised, Second Edition
Pages:	399
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.30(d)

About the Author

Roger E. Olson is professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University, Waco, Texas. He is author of The Story of Christian Theology:and The Journey of Modern Theology.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction: The Need for a "Both-And" Theology
1. Christian Belief: Unity and Diversity
2. Sources and Norms of Christian Belief: One and Many
3. Divine Revelation: Universal and Particular
4. Christian Scripture: Divine Word and Human Words
5. God: Great and Good
6. God: Three and One
7. Creation: Good and Fallen
8. Providence: Limited and Detailed
9. Humanity: Essentially Good and Existentially Estranged
10. Jesus Christ: God and Man
11. The Holy Spirit: Person and Power
12. Salvation: Objective and Subjective
13. Salvation: Gift and Task
14. The Church: Visible and Invisible
15. Life Beyond Death: Continuity and Discontinuity
16. The Kingdom of God: Already and Not Yet
Name Index
Subject Index

What People are Saying About This

Clark Pinnock

"What evangelicals have needed, and what [Olson] has provided, is a basic, relatively comprehensive, nontechnical, nonspeculative one-volume introduction to the Christian faith. The book offers a mediating and Arminian perspective within the broad evangelical tradition that underlines both shared beliefs and real diversity. At a time of extreme opinion, it is a godsend."

Jonathan Wilson

"Anyone seeking help in maintaining a commitment to the truth of the gospel while also embracing genuine Christian diversity will find no better guide than this book."

Dennis Okholm

"This book helps us to appreciate all the diverse theological colors that make up the mosaic called 'the Christian faith' while showing us where and why certain beliefs don't fit the pattern."

Terrance Tiessen

"The book is written in language that should be accessible to undergraduate students and serious-minded church members and will, hopefully, help to stem the tide of theological ignorance that threatens the health of the church."

Editorial Reviews

"The book is written in language that should be accessible to undergraduate students and serious-minded church members and will, hopefully, help to stem the tide of theological ignorance that threatens the health of the church."

Terrance Tiessen

"What evangelicals have needed, and what [Olson] has provided, is a basic, relatively comprehensive, nontechnical, nonspeculative one-volume introduction to the Christian faith. The book offers a mediating and Arminian perspective within the broad evangelical tradition that underlines both shared beliefs and real diversity. At a time of extreme opinion, it is a godsend."

Clark Pinnock

"This book serves as an excellent thematic introduction to what Christians have historically believed."

Andrew K. Gabriel

"Anyone seeking help in maintaining a commitment to the truth of the gospel while also embracing genuine Christian diversity will find no better guide than this book."

Jonathan Wilson

"This book helps us to appreciate all the diverse theological colors that make up the mosaic called 'the Christian faith' while showing us where and why certain beliefs don't fit the pattern."

Dennis Okholm