The Five Watersheds
of History & Theology
A fresh look at 21st century Christianity in light of cultural distortions and the Kingdom of God
Why are so many revisiting their commitment to the Christian faith?
Many people today approach Christianity, and now the Bible, with great skepticism due to the great racial and cultural divide that is associated with Christianity. The Five Watersheds of History and Theology explores how the, once polarizing, Christian faith has lost its impact over time in spite of having such powerful historical roots. This book examines how the central theme of the Bible, “The Kingdom of God,” in its Jewish context, which was the original context in which God chose to communicate His message, lost its cultural influences and context.
Interview with Dr. Dana Carson
The Message of the Kingdom
The message of the Kingdom of God is both an empowering message and a message of unity that addresses God’s love for the entire world beginning with the Jewish people and culminating with Gentiles.
Seven Dispensations of Theological Renewal
The book also examines and explores the Seven Dispensations of Theological Renewal, which is a deep theological investigation of what theological truths were discovered during the different watersheds that have shaped and formed our contemporary understanding of the church and the scriptures due to our departure and return to the original teachings of Jesus.
The book explores and discusses the subject of the Kingdom of God in its Jewish context.
What are the Five Watersheds?
There are five watersheds (an event or period marking a turning point in a course of action or state of affairs), that have totally reshaped the message of the Bible and the scriptures, and has distorted the biblical view of God, Romanization, Europeanization, Colonization, Westernization, and Americanization of the Gospel. These Five Watersheds have made tremendous impacts upon the Christian faith — some positive and some negative. You will learn how the faith was formulated and distorted through socio-economics, politics and race; and what necessary amendments are needed to our current approach to the faith.
Who is Dr. Carson?
Dr. Dana Carson is the founder and senior pastor of the Reflections of Christ’s Kingdom World Outreach International (The R.O.C.K.) in Houston, TX. — a Bible-centered, Spirit-filled, Community-building, Kingdom-minded ministry founded in 2003. Dr. Carson has over 30 years of full-time and pastoral ministry experience. Dr. Carson is one of the nation’s foremost Kingdom theologians and down-to-earth pastors whose radical message and raw delivery are known all over the world.
Dr. Carson holds three earned doctorates: Boston University in theological studies, specializing in church growth, Regent University in Organizational Leadership, and Logos University in Christian psychology. He also holds four Masters degrees: a Master in Counseling and Guidance from Texas A&M, a Master of Divinity from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary/Oral Roberts University, Master of Economic Development from the University of Houston, and he was the first full-time clergy to ever graduate with a Global Executive MBA from the world-class Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Dr. Carson’s bachelor’s degree in Business Administration is from the film location of “The Great Debaters” – HBCU Wiley College. His theological prowess and wisdom are also recognized in the academy. The ministry’s focus on the spiritual and educational empowerment of children and youth is birthed from Dr. Carson overcoming the odds of Chicago inner city living as a high school dropout. Yet despite dropping out of high school, he has unquestionably become one of the most scholarly and dynamic preachers of our time.
What Scholars and Church Leaders are Saying
“Dr. Dana Carson has prepared an exceptional theological perspective with “The Five Watersheds of History and Theology”. He has conducted extensive research analyzing the social, cultural, and spiritual influences on 21st century Christianity. The reader will be challenged to closely examine five watershed moments in history and process their impact on the word of God. Make this work a part of your Kingdom mindset and allow the Spirit of God to speak to you through this examination of His Holy word.”
“Over the past few decades, much has been written about the Kingdom of God, theology, and Christianity. Dr. Dana Carson has given those who are thirsty for more an oasis of substantial scholarship in a digestible form. His nuanced approach brings much clarity and practical insights that can empower neophytes and veterans of Kingdom thought, history, theology, and Christianity.”
“It is critical to understand that the solutions for 21st Christianity are discovered in the forensics of the historical Church’s evolutions. In order to apply intervention, you have to be cognizant of what it takes for prevention. Dr. Dana Carson has applied Christianity’s forensics with such dexterity, that the Church’s present-day healing can be achieved. This is a must read!”
“The Five Watersheds of History & Theology: A Fresh Look at 21st Century Christianity in Light of Cultural Distortions and the Kingdom of God is without a doubt an extraordinary work of scholarship. Few scholars in our generation have done as much as Dr. Carson to put together in what I consider one of the most compelling compilations of historical and theological thought. I uncompromisingly recommend that every pastor/teacher, scholar, or Kingdom-minded person read and place this book in their library. ”
"The five watersheds reshaped the entire call and the context of the church. This book is a must read for every pastor, minister, and parishioner in the Christian faith. As a distorted gospel is systematically being globalized, the Five Watersheds book represents a galvanizing force that will drive those who seek truth to question the forces that shaped this message and formulate a Kingdom-oriented approach to their own theology and practices."
“Dr. Dana Carson has done it again! His latest book, The Five Watersheds of History and Theology, is a tour de force examination of the westernization of the Christian faith. This book is a needed and welcomed addition to Dr. Carson’s tremendous body of work on the Kingdom, and I urge every committed Church leader to read it.”
“Applause and cheers for a missing piece of a complex puzzle. Dr. Carson's Five Watersheds of History and Theology, provides insights for the studious pastor and laymen struggling with the waning influence of the Christian idea.”
“Five Watersheds unfolds the tangled problems from history and theology with Dr. Carson's perspective and analysis, but also it presents a way forward in the future. It is visionary in its applied ministry projections. Renewal and restoration of the authentic Kingdom teachings of Jesus will ignite the church with fresh meaning and purpose. In this new book, Dr. Carson leads the way to a renewal of biblically-based Kingdom ministry.”
“In The Five Watersheds of History and Theology, Dr. Dana Carson reveals his unique ability to congeal historical events, theological context, scriptural interpretation, and social impact into a cogent argument for the mainstream Christian Church's need to reexamine both theological doctrine and practice in light of its original Jewish culture."
“The Five Watersheds of History and Theology is a must for any student or reader who wants to learn the twists and turns in the development of the Christian Church, its drift away from its biblical moorings, and Dr. Carson’s appeal that the Church returns to its first love.”
“Dr. Dana Carson has penned a watershed book in its potential impact to radically redefine how Westerners will read the Bible futuristically. The fresh content and angle from which this book is written is unique and makes it a worthy read. Truly this is a ground-breaking book.”
“Every generation has its bright shining stars! They are those individuals who are anointed by God to illuminate our minds and fill our hearts with the possibilities of what could and should be! After reading The Five Watersheds, you will agree that Dr. Dana Carson is ‘one such individual!’ Without a doubt, he is one of the most profound and prolific 21st century Kingdom voices! His prophetic and powerful teaching concerning the Kingdom will prove to be absolutely transformational!”
“A scholar and prolific author on the biblical teaching of the Kingdom of God, Carson demonstrates how the Kingdom message of Jesus has been exploited to promote empire-building, consumerist culture, racism, white supremacy, and capitalism.”
