Stanley J. Grenz (1950–2005)

This sobering book takes a clear, hard look at cases in which clergy become inappropriately romantically/sexually involved with people under their care; the authors examine the reasons why this happens, the reasons why even seemingly innocuous involvement is a serious problem and a breach of professional and clergy ethics, and give some guidelines to both preventing these problems as well as dealing with the aftermath in the pastor's life, in the pastor's family, in the other party's life, show more and in the congregation and community. show less

Olson provides an intriguing read in what he considers be to be the central challenge in articulating the nature of God from theologically Christian worldview, that is, the conundrum that exists between God's immanence and His transcendence. Olson attempts to show how Christian theologians from the Enlightenment to our modern times tried to reconcile these two seemingly disparate aspects of God's nature.

He engages with such philosophical and theological personalities as Hegel, Ritschl, show more Bultmann, Niebur, Tillich, Bonhoeffer, Moltmann, Rahner Ramm, and engages with varying theologies as Process, Liberation, and Feminism.

An excellent read for one who seek to understand the central issue theologians tried to resolve respecting both God seeming absence and presence in the history, the major players who sought a resolution, and how they articulated their views. Olson supplies his own critical evaluation after each section.

This book is a must read for anyone seeking to understand how God was understood throughout modern history, the thoughts of major players in the field of theology, and how it affects our understanding of God today. show less

A thoughtful, informed, and accessible introduction, A Primer on Postmodernism offers a Christian analysis and response to philosophical postmodernism. “The postmodern era,” Grenz observes, “has in effect replaced knowledge with interpretation,” having moved from “an objectivist to a constructionist outlook” (40). Grenz evaluates the thought of major postmodern theorists, such as Derrida, Foucault, and Rorty. Concluding that Christians must “explore the contours of the gospel show more in a postmodern context,” Grenz suggests a post-individualistic, post-rationalistic, post-dualistic, and post-noeticentric embodiment of the Christian message. Overall, Grenz offers a very valuable resource. A show less

The late Stan Grenz was one of my favorite authors. I found this book very helpful. This was the last book Grenz worked on before he passed away in 2005 (it is a revised edition of an earlier book).

Grenz takes the ACTS acronym (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication) as descriptive of the appropriate movement in Christian prayer, and focuses most of his book on petitionary prayer (supplication). This form of prayer, Grenz argues is most representative form of prayer in the New show more Testament.

In focusing on petitionary prayer, Grenz argues for specific, biblically informed prayers, which are true cries for the Kingdom of God to be fully embodied in our midst.

The value of this book is in Grenz's clear and pastoral presentation of prayer and his willingness to wrestle honestly with people's difficulties with prayer. He addresses modern difficulties and psychological understanding of prayer, answers what it means to pray in God's will, and gives concrete examples of prayer.

This would be a helpful book to work through in growing in and understanding the petitionary dimension to our prayer life. show less