A Creative Overview of the History of Christian Thought God in Dispute imagines a series of dialogues and debates among key figures throughout church history. Roger Olson traces the history of theology from the early church fathers to the present via such conversation partners as Augustine and Pelagius, Calvin and Arminius, Barth and Brunner, and Bultmann and Pannenberg. This approach offers an entertaining, informative, and concise history of Christian thought and gives readers an overview of influential figures and issues throughout the centuries. Each chapter includes: #x2B22; a brief summary that introduces the figures under consideration and places them in the history of theology #x2B22; the imagined dialogue/debate #x2B22; a more detailed assessment of the thinkers and theological issues presented #x2B22; a guide for further reading "Most textbooks that trace the development of historical theology provide us with content, unpacking the positions of theologians and major schools of thought. While Olson's book does that, it also does much more. By bringing generations of Christian thinkers together in dialogue to discuss a number of topics, Olson helps us understand that the Christian tradition is a complex, lively, ongoing argument about what happened in Jesus Christ. And while most textbooks leave the reader an arm's length from the disputes, Olson's approach invites us into the fray as participants in the debates. This is a unique text that makes historical theology come alive.

"-- Dennis Okholm, professor of theology, Azusa Pacific University " God in Dispute creatively presents significant issues in Christian doctrine through imaginary dialogues between giants in the history of our faith. Professors, students, and laypeople alike will find it a valuable resource."-- Vincent Bacote, associate professor of theology, director, Center for Applied Christian Ethics, Wheaton College.