The Journey of Modern Theology: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction

by Roger E. Olson

Modernity has been an age of revolutions―political, scientific, industrial and philosophical. Consequently, it has also been an age of revolutions in theology, as Christians attempt to make sense of their faith in light of the cultural upheavals around them, what Walter Lippman once called the "acids of modernity." Modern theology is the result of this struggle to think responsibly about God within the modern cultural ethos. In this major revision and expansion of the classic 20th Century Theology (1992), co-authored with Stanley J. Grenz, Roger Olson widens the scope of the story to include a fuller account of modernity, more material on the nineteenth century and an engagement with postmodernity. More importantly, the entire narrative is now recast in terms of how theologians have accommodated or rejected the Enlightenment and scientific revolutions. With that question in mind, Olson guides us on the epic journey of modern theology, from the liberal "reconstruction" of theology that originated with Friedrich Schleiermacher to the postliberal and postmodern "deconstruction" of modern theology that continues today. The Journey of Modern Theology is vintage Olson: eminently readable, panoramic in scope, at once original and balanced, and marked throughout by a passionate concern for the church's faithfulness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. This will no doubt become another standard text in historical theology.

Genres: Theology, Religion, History, Church History, Christianity, Christian

720 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Roger E. Olson (PhD, Rice University) is professor of theology at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University. He is a prolific author whose volumes include The Story of Christian Theology and The Mosaic of Christian Belief. He is also coauthor of 20th-Century Theology. Olsen identifies as an Arminian and a Baptist.

Reviews

[Nelson Banuchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still reading chapter 1 on my kindle. Best overview of Enlightenment and Modern philosophy and theology that I have read to date. I have especially enjoyed Olsen's treatment of Christian "Scottish common sense" philosopher Thomas Reid (as against Hume) and Romantic philosopher, poet and theologian Samuel Coleridge. Now reading his discussion of Kierkegaard. I am finding him to be a more sympathetic figure than I expected.

to be continued ....

[Benjamin Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. Olson’s insistence on giving so much sympathy to those who are clearly outside the bounds of Christian thought is annoying. This mood becomes more clear in the later theologies of the twentieth century. Olson is quick to offer criticism of conservative or fundamental theologians, but not so quick to give it for other theologies like post-liberalism for example. In the section on criticism for post-liberal theology, Olson offers the criticism of Alister McGrath. However, rather than actually offering a response to McGrath’s criticism Olson only offers conjectures of how he believes post liberals would respond to McGrath. Olson is insistent that critics of postmodern theologies do not really understand postmodernism, yet he never provides examples or interacts with any of these misunderstandings. He simply waves them away as if they are dust without critical thought. This is not surprising given that Olson has been influenced by many theologians who are progressive in their methods. It clearly demonstrates the personal biases of Olson when writing this book.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the primary, required text for a class on—what else— modern and contemporary theology. I learned a lot from it. Perhaps its greatest contribution is the list of books and thinkers to add to my to-read list.

It covers the major movements in Christian theology from the Enlightenment to the present. It does not claim to be, is not, and couldn’t possibly be wholly comprehensive. There will probably be people and movements you think are important that go unnoticed. That’s inevitable.

Another great aspect in getting this overview perspective is making connections between apparently disparate philosophies and theologies. This is definitely a research-starting tool.

One final observation: Olson writes from a detectable, orthodox, Evangelical perspective. However, he is fair, balanced, and gracious to views he might not share or with which he (probably) disagrees. It’s quite a hefty book, but definitely doable in small chunks.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent survey of contemporary theologians. Olson pays a great deal of attention to the contexts of his subjects (movement or theologian)—describing not only the particulars of the subject, but the nature of the movement or problem to which the subject is responding. Hence, much of the text reads like a series of points and counterpoints. For the most part, the text makes comprehensible some rather complex theological perspectives. Each sub chapter concludes with a brief discussion on the critiques leveled at the subject as well as the subject’s impact and legacy.

I am certain that this text will serve as an oft-revisited resource. I look forward to spend more time reflecting on several of the notions Olson has transmitted here.

[Matt Crawford · Rating 2 out of 5]

Roger Olson does not do as much damage here as he does in Christian Theology, but e still gives uncomplete anti-Calvinist slants to all he does. In an attempt to cover so much material he skips over and does not give adequate space to what should be an Enlightment/Modernity/ Postmodern survey. It was a textbook so perhaps I read it begrudgingly but he concentrates too little on some things (often offering only a line or two to important details) and many pages to side notes. On the bright side, a review means I am done with it.

[Josh Trice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olson has worked wonders with this book. It is exhaustive, engaging and enjoyable all in one. Though the content can be dense at times, Olson patiently guides the reader through some of Theology’s more recent names, dates and controversies.

I found myself surprisingly happy to read this work as assigned in my seminary class. If you would like to be exposed to or learn more about various theologians in the modern era—CHECK THIS ONE OUT!

The content is 5 stars worthy!

[Tori Mitteness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olson Brings Clarity

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.

[Michaela Weller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know what analysis of this topic could compare to The Journey of Modern Theology. I highly respect this book and Roger Olsen's scholarship.

[James Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and resource. Well researched and written. Great text for the study of Modern/Postmodern theology and philosophers/theologians that shaped them.

[Riley Brysch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good overview of modern theology!

[Clint Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tour de force covering the intersection between Christianity and modernism. It is a "bird's eye view" with some of the most significant thinkers, both for and against. Modern theology is defined as "thinking about God in the context of modernity--the cultural ethos stemming from the Enlightenment" (17). The book naturally progresses from Descartes with a significant amount of emphasis, naturally, on Schleiermacher. Although much disputed, some used Christian tradition and modern foundationalism, others chose to accommodate. Both, argues Olson, culminated in deconstruction (so far) with a great deal of tension, confusion, tragedies and surprises. The fact is that it is not possible to escape modernity, which leads to the adaptation of the question "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" to become "What has Wittenburg or Rome to do with Konigsberg [Kant]?" Today this has led to some postmoderns returning to premodern Christianity of Calvin and Jonathan Edwards, or others who prefer no map at all with the emergent church movement. The fact is that secularism, a major product of the Enlightenment, represents something new in human history. It placed man in place of the sacred or divine, as the created order was reduced to a mere machine. "The result has been a severe loss of mystery, beauty and hope." As a consequence there has been a "proliferation of cults, mystery religions, New Age spiritual technologies and fundamentalisms, that appear to be the result that when the secular policemen of modern culture get too heavy with their naturalistic nightsticks the people start smuggling the gods in brown paper bags" (711). The heroes, for Olson, are neither the accmodationists or the reactionaries, but "the theologians who held firmly to the gospel of Jesus Christ, within a supernatural frame of reference, seeking to communicate it in as relevant a way possible to contemporary culture" with Barth (Protestant) and Belthasar (Catholic) as two of the most prominent examples. Altogether this was a fascinating read for the serious study of historical and systematic theology.

[Trevor Lloyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally finished this after getting it in January. Loved it! Olson is such a clear and lucid writer an gives a fair and balanced introduction. Would certainly recommend this as a one-volume (though a big volume) introduction to modern theology. Like his recurrent theme of the struggle between the immanence and transcendence of God as perhaps the central issue of theology, but touched on so much more. Excellent at giving a clear and accessible introduction to theologians and theologies (many of which are very complex and dense) without being too simplistic or patronising to the intelligent general reader. His explanation of the Enlightenment and modernity was brilliant. And his material on postmodernism one of the most accessible I have read.
So much of this was quite new to me, and especially loved the theology of von Balthassar. Also liked Stanley Hauerwas and some of John Caputo's ideas. And I was both confirmed in many of the ideas that I had liked about Moltmann, but also realised where I wasn't quite in step with him. And it helped to see where some of the ideas of the suffering, crucified God and the centrality of non-violence to the gospel that have meant so much to me in recent years have come from, or at least been pursued most clearly and vigorously.
So grateful to Olson for introducing me to so many more pilgrims on my theological journey. I am enjoying the journey even more as a result

[Todd Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olson writes with customary clarity in this survey of 19th through 21st Century theology in the West. He dedicates over one-third of the book to the theological and philosophical context to which and in which "modern" theology was forced to respond. (So this book is not limited to just what occurred in the 20th Century.) As with most modern theology texts, Olson wants to explain theological responses to the Enlightenment. He is keenly interested throughout the book in discovering how each theologian and movement sought to deal with the faith/science question. In the last chapter he sums up well his motivations and convictions for the study: He sees the biggest problem with the modern theological context to be its secularity and loss of the spiritual dimension to life.

Olson is a good writer. He is always very charitable to those to the left of him and that serves his readers well in this book.

[Charles Redfern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roger Olson has laudably needled evangelicalism's pervasive heretic hunters while remaining evangelical himself. I expected some of his sarcasm, which I relish. Instead, he gave me so much more: a readable yet thorough narrative of how 19th and 20th century theologians wrestled with the Enlightenment's challenges, which ranged from acquiescence to defiance (read: Schliermacher to Barth). New challenges and opportunities afforded themselves as Modernity's optimism collapsed and the mechanistic vision of Newtonian "laws" faded into quantum physics amid postmodernism's objections to modern arrogance. Olson deals with the various theologians critically yet sympathetically. I was surprised and delighted.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This largish book (700+ pages) is an excellent summary of modern theology starting with the early influences on modern theology. After the preliminary material and background, he begins with Schleiermacher. How far does he get? He covers through Stanley Hauerwas and John Caputo. Catholic theology since Vatican II gets covered as well, with very helpful sections on Rahner, Kung, and Balthasar, He also covers various liberation theologies. Given the vastness and diversity of this period of theological experimentation, I think Dr. Olson has done a very commendable job of creating a readable and comprehensible history, which is no small task.

[Giovanni Generoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

From Descartes to Kant, Schleiermacher to Hodge, and Kierkegaard to Caputo, Roger Olson provides a sweeping narrative of the journey of Modern Theology. This is a must-read. Simply superb.

[Dave Pettengill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good detail of the development of theology over the years and how it made an impact on history. Very in depth reading but it is a very complex topic

[Daniel Scheiderer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book. Clear and easy to understand and read. Of course there's bias, but it's not too bad.

[Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised by how much I liked this book and how much it made me like theology. Olson is a great writer who can write in ways that just makes you really understand the subject.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice exposition of major persons and movements in theology in the modern period.