Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #772652 in Books
• Published on: 2008-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 192 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780310287582
• Condition: USED - LIKE NEW
• Notes:
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From the Back Cover
Many Christians’ faith exists as a loose collection of unexamined clichés and slogans borrowed from songs, devotional books, sermon illustrations, and even the internet. Too often this belief system (if it can be called a “system”) lacks coherence and intelligibility; it can hardly be expressed, let alone defended, to others. The problem with folk religion is that it too easily withers under the onslaughts of secularism or seemingly reasonable answers provided by cults and new religions. Christianity has a long tradition of intellectual examination of other faiths and its own beliefs. Socrates said that the unexamined life is not worth living; great Christian minds of all the ages have believed the unexamined faith is not worth believing. Reflective Christianity is Christian faith that has subjected itself to the rigorous questioning of Scripture, tradition, reason, and experience. It is mature Christian faith that goes on believing even as it questions what it believes. The goal of this book is not to destroy anyone’s faith but to build it up by placing it on a firmer foundation of critical examination. Ten popular Christian clichés are subjected to critical inquiry and interrogated to discover whether they contain truth or are in error. In most cases the conclusion is—both. The aim is not to tear down straw men but to demonstrate a path toward stronger, more mature Christian belief.

About the Author
Roger E. Olson, PhD (Rice University) is Professor of Theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary of Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Olson received the "Critics’ Choice Award" for 20th Century Theology: God and the World in a Transitional Age, a book he co-authored with Stanley J. Grenz. He has published numerous books and articles, including his recent works How to Be Evangelical without Being Conservative and Reformed and Always Reforming: The Postconservative Approach to Evangelical Theology.

Customer Reviews

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.

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.

Caution--paradigm changes ahead!
Roger Olson opens Pandora's box by refusing to blindly accept the maxims of popular Christianity, by casting honest doubt on concepts people assume are biblical truth. In so doing he hopes we'll reconsider our presuppositions. This is just the kind of thinking we need to shake us from our anti-intellectual complacency. I doubt if anyone will buy all his conclusions, but I guarantee they will have to think critically.

Olson handles such matters as the sovereignty and will of God, the nature of sin, the Second Coming, judging others, materialism, and several other controversial matters.

I had more than a few reservations, but I don't mean this as a critique. Olsen should be applauded for making us reconsider some of our cherished beliefs. I did take issue with his thoughts on missing the will of God. I don't think he adequately dealt with the concept of calling. I'd also have liked more discussion of just how sovereign God is, and to what extent does He stand back to allow bad things to happen. If we're going to question God's involvement, I want to know what prayer does, and how much prayer is needed to make a difference. With regard to eschatology, I wish there was some mention of the theory that much of the apocalyptic literature may refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. The section on money didn't seem to deal with the worldview of capitalism.

While I wasn't completely satisfied with Roger Olson's questions, I appreciated them. This is an excellent book to get Christians to reconsider matters that they've accepted without critical thinking. Paul Little once said that one doesn't have to commit "intellectual suicide" to be a Christian. While we can't possibly have all the answers, we ought to re-look at the slogans and mysteries we've accepted and see whether they're defensible.