Book Review: How to Be Evangelical without Being Conservative

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Written by a Baptist theologian that has taught at both Bethel College and Seminary in St. Paul, as well as George Truett Seminary (Baylor) in Texas, it found it to be more thought provoking that I thought. Each chapter dealt with a different issue. I will quickly summarize the issues in the chapters as my review.

Being Biblical without Orthodoxy--The interesting discussion here was his argument that orthodoxy was a man-made construction, and that challenging "orthodox" theology is the hallmark of protestantism and historic protestant theology. He argues for having one's belief based on what is biblical, instead of simply what has been labeled "orthodox". Orthodoxy he asserts, is tradition. That is something we can live within and trust, and yet be open to challenge at the same time.

Building Character without moralism--dont remember much about this chapter

Celebrating America without Nationalism--This was a very helpful chapter on how a person can be patriotic (love their country and be thankful for it) without being nationalistic (worshipping their country, or confusing fidelity to government with fidelity to God). Another good deliniation.

Seeking Truth without Certainty--About being faithful without being a dogmatist

Taking the Bible Seriously without literalism--This is really a distinction between evangelicalism and fundamentalism. A good distinction to make.

Being Religionless without Secularism--

Transforming Culture without Domination--About being an alternative society of the kingdom. This chapter owes a lot to the work of Stanley Hauerwas in my opinion

Redistributing Wealth without Socialism--Much of the "social gospel" has been relegated to liberal Christians and non-evangelicals. Olsen tries to remind us that many social movements were rooted in evangelicalism, and that a robust evangelical faith will be involved in helping the poor out of poverty without advocating socialism.

Revitalizing without Rejecting Theology--Communicating theology in a relevant way for churches, and igniting a love of theology in our churches

Updating without Trivializing Worship--He shares that there is no one evangelical worship style. He emphasizes the need to be missional without sacrificing clear content of Christian worship.

Accepting without affirming flawed people--this touches on homosexuality, but is not simply "stuck" there. It communicates the accepting but not affirming attitude in a variety of contexts

Preahcing Equality without sacfificing difference--This is about gender isssues. Olsen believes that there is some room for comprimise between complimentarians (women have an equally important and complimentary role as supporting male leadership in the home and church) and egalitarians (the bible teaches equal partnership among men and women in home, church and society). He asserts that he is a believer in biblical equality (as am I),but also believes that the gifts of men and women compliment one another. He shares egalitarians try to assume everyone is the same. They are not the same--men and women are different with different things to offer in leadership. We need as egalitarians to respect complimentary gifts and attitudes with men and women, and recognize the need for diversity. As do complimentarians, who tend to often to diminish and not recognize women's gifts.

All in all it was a good book. The ministerial culture in Fowler is very patriarchal in its function and theology, and the final chapter was helpful for me in understanding my situation and how I can respond with grace.