The Journey of Modern Theology: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction Hardcover – November 1, 2013

This is a great read, an "almost entirely" revised edition (2013) of "20th Century Theology" (1992) by Grenz and Olson (which was also very good), on the history of Christian modern theological and philosophical thought from Descartes to John Caputo. Olson seems to thoroughly handle each theologian or philosophers ideas on a level easily understandable to the lay reader (like me) and in a manner that really engaging. While all the persons, subjects, and issues are very interesting, the last person, Caputo the deconstructionist, is to me the most intriguing; and Olson's manner of writing about Caputo shows how much he enjoyed critiquing him (while, nevertheless, not agreeing at all with him).This is an excellent introduction to Christian thought in modern times.

Olson is incredibly at taking the complex and making it digestible for those who are seeking to learn about the story of modern theology. His writing allows for one to truly learn and understand, while not discrediting anyone along the way. Incredibly Grateful for this book.

I am thoroughly enjoying Roger Olson's recent book, The Journey of Modern Theology. It has a strong narrative that binds together in a stream of development the many disparate branches of modern theological thought. I think this strong narrative is what is missing in evangelical reflections on modern theology. This book also does a good job of setting up the questions and concerns which are being responded to by the different theological systems. The readability is high and the footnotes are full.

Roger Olson is a prolific writer and a passionate theologian. I have followed his work from his days at Bethel College and Seminary in St. Paul, MN, and have followed it with even more interest since he moved to Waco to teach at Truett Seminary at Baylor University.I also long ago read 20th Century Theology. I had read it not in a seminary classroom, but as a pastor trying to make sense of where I was theologically, especially in relationship to some of the issues raised through postmodern philosophy and the emergent church movement (before it was called that). I loved the book, and its thesis of the development of modern theologies as a dialogue and dialectic between emphases on theology's understanding of the transcendence of God and the immanence of God made sense to me. It helped me become more grounded and able to articulate where I was in the context of modern theology and postmodern philosophy. 20th Century Theology was a game changer for me.Now, in an update on the book's 20th anniversary, Olson has, in attempting to revise the old text, written a new text with the old text as the foundation. Instead of using a theological construct to tell what has happened in 19th, 20th and 21st century theologies, he has used a historical one in The Journey of Modern Theology . Since what is happening in both books is a historical theology of sorts, both organizational systems are appropriate. Olson's new construct makes the development of theology come across as a more relational and personal story of people and ideas in a historical context. Which is all well and good. But I think it misses the sense of wrestling with God that the text it has meant to revise had. However, I freely admit that I miss Grenz' voice in theological writing, and part of my struggle with the book at this point may be that I hear more of Olson and less of Grenz in the new text, and I grieve the loss of Grenz and his contribution.Having said that, it only takes holding the books next to one another to show that Olson has expanded on his previous work in The Journey of Modern Theology. More is discussed regarding theological contributions of the 19th century, as it is also in conversation with the rise of modernity. And more of what is happening in theology today is shared as well. Those contributions are well-written, well thought out, and welcome.The Journey of Modern Theology deserves a place on the pastor's and the theologian's bookshelf. It is a great book. On mine it will sit right next to 20th Century Theology. My hope is that IVP continues to publish both.

Roger Olson does a nice job summarizing the changes to theological thinking over the last 2-3 centuries as it confronts Enlightenment and Modernity.There is an underlying story to Roger's summary and is that God seems to disappear in most of the great thinkers as the confront the "acids of modernity". Roger Olson does a nice job of treating each theologian fairly. The book is lengthy but I believe worth reading.

The most accessible book to modern theology that I've read. It's hard to believe that a book on this subject could be a page-turner, but the author writes in a way that makes the topic very interesting.

Very informative about how and why theology developed like it did during the enlightenment and post-enlightenment period. A must have if you want to be grounded on modern theology. Very readable!

Excellent exploration ,not only the Theology it self ,but also the motives,context and the background account which frame it raise of modern Theology