Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 136

Must Gays Be Offended?

Must Gays Be Offended? One reader of this blog, whose opinions expressed here I usually find constructive and helpful (even when I don’t agree) suggested in her comment that refusing to refer to civil unions as marriages is offensive to gay persons. I understand this challenge, but, at the same time, think that persons should [Read More...]

Strange Church Names: An Opportunity to Participate

A friend mentioned this church to me because he thought the name was unusual (to say the least): Cheers, the Church. It’s a Pentecostal church in British Columbia, Canada. I invite you to suggest church names here for the (mythical) award of “strangest church name.” The only restrictions are these: The existence of the church

And Now…What Conservative Churches Must Do

Churches that believe marriage should only be between a man and a woman now must decide what to do–in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling. Will they simply go along with the government and recognize legislative and judicial rulings as valid for them or will they resist? And what would it say about them if [Read More...]

Is the “New Apostolic Reformation Movement” a Cult?

Is the “New Apostolic Reformation Movement” a Cult? Over the past several years I have received many e-mails asking for my opinion about something called the “New Apostolic Reformation Movement” (NARM). A few acquaintances have expressed profound concern about it—fearing that it might be an attempt by some conservative Christians to take over America for [Read More...]

“Reformed Arminianism?” Another Book about Arminian Theology

“Reformed Arminianism?” Another Book about Arminian Theology Reviewed: J. Matthew Pinson’s Arminian and Baptist: Explorations in a Theological Tradition (Randall House, 2015) At the very end of his excellent book Arminian and Baptist Free Will Baptist theologian J. Matthew Pinson reviews by book Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities (InterVarsity Press) and, while praising it, criticizes [Read More...]

The “Deeply Flawed Father” Meme (And Why We Need to Counter It)

The “Deeply Flawed” Father Meme (And Why We Need to Counter It) Richard Dawkins introduced the term and concept of “meme” in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene. A “meme” is an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to person within a culture. Anyone who pays close attention to popular culture can easily [Read More...]

Who Decides Who’s A Christian?

This is not a continuation of the Mormonism discussion just closed–at least not directly. It’s a “spin off” from that discussion which raised the question “Who decides who’s a Christian?” I have discussed that here before, but not recently enough (apparently). Let me set forth a few basic theses for consideration and discussion: 1) While [Read More...]

Repeat: The Mormonism Discussion Was Closed Yesterday (June 17)

Please note that I closed the discussion of Mormonism yesterday. The response to my and Robert Millett’s essays were so voluminous and lengthy that I simply do not have time to moderate that discussion anymore. I think virtually everything that can be said was said by someone. If you are interested in the subject, read [Read More...]

Shallow Religious Fads and Fashions

Shallow Religious Fads and Fashions Looking back over my life among American evangelical Christians I am conscious of a pattern among us. We tend to form “tribes” identifiable by clothes, hair, mannerisms, even glasses. I count myself a fairly keen observer of this pattern and I alternate between laughing and crying over it. The other [Read More...]

Robert (Bob) Millett Gets the Final Word (for Now)…

Below is a message I received from Bob Millett about my blog posts about Mormonism and Christianity. I will let him have the final word in this discussion (for now). Please do not post a comment in response to this or my recent posts about Mormonism. This blog needs to move on to other subjects. [Read More...]