Urban Legends of Theology - by Michael E Wittmer (Paperback)

About the Book

Urban Legends of Theology by Michael Wittmer tackles commonly held beliefs that are misconceptions of Christian teaching, gently demonstrating a more accurate understanding of each one.  

Book Synopsis

Urban Legends of Theology surveys 40 of the most common misunderstandings of Christian doctrine. Some of the urban legends are cultural truisms that turn out not to be true; others are misconceptions of what the Bible and Christian tradition actually teach.  

 Author and theologian Michael Wittmer writes in an engaging and incisive manner, probing beliefs nearly every churchgoer has heard at one time or another, such as:    

• The Bible is our only authority 

• All sin is the same before God 

• God won't give you more than you can handle 

• Christianity is not a religion; it's a relationship 

• We are the hands and feet of Jesus  

Urban Legends of Theology corrects these misconceptions and offers a better alternative in each one's place, guiding readers into the full riches and freedom of Christian theology rightly understood. 

Review Quotes

"In a world where everyone is a theologian, urban legends abound. They roll off the tongue as conventional wisdom, spoken with the confidence that they are essentially self-evident. Combining the head of a theologian and the heart of a pastor, Mike Wittmer tackles these urban legends head-on by thoughtfully engaging Scripture and drawing on church history. Using his characteristic humor, Wittmer firmly but graciously leads the reader from myth to biblical truth in a way that is accessible to a wide range of readers."
--Matthew S. Harmon, professor of New Testament studies, Grace College and Theological Seminary

"Too many people think theology is boring or scary, an arcane ritual for senile scholars shuffling down corridors of dusty old tomes. Dr. Wittmer upends such misperceptions in this infectious book, crackling with humor and bursting with pastoral wisdom. I left encouraged that the great things of the gospel are always relevant to our lives because they are so good, true, and beautiful."
--Hans Madueme, associate professor of theological studies, Covenant College

"Mike Wittmer is a clear and engaging writer. His short, pithy explorations of popular cultural ideas about the Christian faith would make excellent starting points for discussion in Bible study groups or adult Sunday school classes. By no means will everyone agree with his theological position on every issue, but I guarantee that the ensuing discussion will generate intelligent conversation about important matters of our faith."
--J. Richard Middleton, professor of biblical worldview and exegesis, Northeastern Seminary at Roberts Wesleyan College

"Michael Wittmer's Urban Legends of Theology is a sound guide through the maze of confusions and half-truths that plague modern-day Christians as they read popular religious literature, search for answers among unrefereed blogs on the Internet, and listen to the emotive words of popular religious music. This work is written in a comprehensible and often winsome way to keep the reader engaged while at the same time adroitly unraveling forty of the more misleading claims made about God, creation, and salvation, replacing them with carefully tuned answers."
--Richard A. Muller, senior fellow, Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research, and P. J. Zondervan Professor of Historical Theology (emeritus), Calvin Theological Seminary

"Among Christians, partial truths and total falsehoods about God, theology, and Christian living travel via casual conversations, worship songs, books, and even Bible studies and sermons! Michael Wittmer tackles several of the most popular urban legends that appeal to our craving for brevity, simplicity, and speed, yet leave us spiritually malnourished. With earnestness, candor, humor, and above all, a careful handling of the Scriptures, Wittmer invites us to scrutinize the slogans, clichés, and bits of 'common knowledge' that too often go unexamined. Herein is the fruit of biblical and theological scholarship serving a pastoral end: helping readers more fully worship and rest in Jesus Christ."
--Keith W. Plummer, dean of the School of Theology, Cairn University

"There is no end to the making of theological myths. Thankfully, Michael Wittmer has written an accessible and clear book to help Christians think biblically about the most important--and often misunderstood--theological questions. This an excellent addition to B&H Academic's wonderful Urban Legends series."
--Brandon D. Smith, assistant professor of theology and New Testament, Cedarville University, and cofounder of the Center for Baptist Renewal

"The Urban Legends series is excellent, and with the publication of Michael Wittmer's recent contribution to the series, Urban Legends of Theology, it has become even better! In this book, he teaches the truth of theology by addressing the legends, forty of those theological doctrines popularly believed though not true. This book is an excellent and ideal companion to teaching the truth of theology by responding to the legends of theology. We are in Wittmer's debt for teaching theological truth through legend, and this book should be used widely in the church and the classroom."
--Gregory C. Strand, executive director of theology and credentialing, EFCA, and adjunct professor of pastoral theology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School

"Mike Wittmer always makes theology accessible and enjoyable, and this book is no exception. Here, he takes on a variety of problematic statements, myths, errors, and sometimes heresies while pointing us to a better and more biblical way. You may not agree with his take on every theological point here, but you will be challenged to think about, to wrestle with, and to better understand the beauty and complexity of the Christian faith. Prepare your minds for action!"
--Trevin Wax, vice president for research and resource development at the North American Mission Board; visiting professor at Wheaton College; and author of The Thrill of Orthodoxy, Rethink Your Self, and This Is Your Time

"In Mike Wittmer's class, I learned that God is 'the greatest possible being.' That means that our mistakes about him are not simply wrong--they are worse than who God really is. Urban Legends of Theology doesn't just correct our theological mistakes. It improves our vision of God, helping us truly know, fully love, and completely live for his glory. Take and read!"
--Matthew Westerholm, associate professor of church music and worship, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

About the Author

Michael E. Wittmer (PhD, Calvin Theological Seminary) is professor of systematic and historical theology and director of the Center for Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University.