Jesus Creed:
Blog discussion of Roger Olson's new book:
"Reformed and Always Reforming:
The Postconservative Approach to Evangelical Theology"
excerpt from Jesus Creed:
On the Jesus Creed blog, distinctions are made between what some see as "dogma" (absolutely necessary beliefs) and "doctrinal opinions" (which can be seen as secondary and/or non-essential beliefs; even though one may agree with certain "dogmatic opinions"). Put another way, one can be a Calvinist (or Arminian) and be fully convinced; but yet not set this out as an "absolute necessity."Scot McKnight wrote:
Two streams flow into Evangelicalism today according to Roger Olson in his fine new study, Reformed and Always Reforming. Here are the two streams, and they derive also from the fine studies of Mark Noll, the Dean of American Church history and evangelicalism: Pietism and Puritanism.
Many today, like John Piper in his recent statement (and I will be responding to him soon), really do think the Puritan strain is the only genuine evangelical strain and that the Pietists are Romantics or Liberals or something else (like Arminians).
Pietism adds a strong experiential dimension to classic Protestantism according to Olson (47). Pietism is inwardly focused and tends toward synergism, as seen in Arminianism. This looks back to John Wesley.
Puritanism adds a strong intellectual dimension and it tends to be publicly focused and is Reformed and Calvinistic. These folks look back to Jonathan Edwards (and John Winthrop, a Puritan).
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From book's amazon(dot)com link, an excerpt:
One book reviewer sees a current: "Conservative Evangelicalism vs. Postconservative Evangelicalism." I agree, you can't miss it.Book Description
The community of evangelicals sometimes seems so broad as to defy definition, but theological conservatism has been one consistent marker. Now, says theologian Roger Olson, postconservatism is moving beyond conventional battles against liberalism and heresy to posit a dynamic and realistic approach. While conservatives strive to preserve tradition and protect orthodoxy, postconservatives urge openness to doctrinal reform without abandoning orthodoxy. Where differences exist between doctrine and Scripture, doctrine must be brought into conformity with the Word. Postconservatives want to free evangelical theology from its paradoxical captivity to rationalism and its obsession with "facts" so that it may recognize truth in experience and personal knowledge. Theologians, pastors, seminarians, and serious thinkers will find many depths to plumb in this exhaustive survey of critics, advocates, and fellow travelers on the evangelical journey.
From the Back Cover
"In his new book, Olson sets forth a genuinely evangelical theology that rejects modernity and fundamentalism. His focus on a personal relationship with Christ over propositions and the need to continually revise theology in light of the Word of God are important corrections to conservative evangelical tendencies. Anyone interested in a truly gospel-oriented theology will benefit from engaging with his arguments." --Alan G. Padgett, Luther Seminary, editor of the Journal for Christian Theological Research
Roger Olson is a classical Arminian who views himself as in the Pietist tradition as contrasted with, if not opposed to(?), the Puritan (and Calvinistic).
For some time now I've seen myself as a postconservative (evangelical), having read some of Olson's articles several years ago. The term was new to me then (in about 2001). Btw, I would also classify N.T. Wright as a postconservative, though these "battles" don't rage quite so loudly in Europe, that I know of, and he may not identify himself as such as a result.
Are you conservative or postconservative?
Just posting to see if a discussion might happen. This book is on my wish list.