Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 15

False But Inspiring? Can It Be?

False But Inspiring? Can It BE? One characteristic of liberal theology (but not unique to it) is the idea that the Bible is only (or especially) “our sacred stories” but not historically true. Of course, that is referring to the histories contained in the Bible—stories of what purportedly actually happened. It’s not referring to proverbs […]

Why I Wrote Against Liberal Theology

Why I Wrote Against Liberal Theology I recently announced a new book discussion here—beginning around January 20–to give everyone time to order and receive the book (Against Liberal Theology: Putting the Brakes on Progressive Christianity [Zondervan]). I’m already receiving some predictable responses that call for explanation of the book. For many years I have put […]

A New Book to Discuss: Against Liberal Theology

A New Book to Discuss: Against Liberal Theology This is one of my most recent books, published by Zondervan in 2022. The subtitle is Putting the Brakes on Progressive Christianity. I will open discussion of the Introduction (pp. 1-15) on or about January 20 (2024). That gives everyone time to order the book and receive […]

Final Thoughts about Cremer’s Book

Final Thoughts about Cremer’s Book “The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes” Now I bring to a close my posted thoughts about the book some of us have been reading together. I have now read the entire book including 5: The Unity of the Divine Attributes, or the Glory of God (pp. 82-84), the final […]

R.I.P. Jimmy Carter

R.I.P. Jimmy Carter Former US president Jimmy Carter passed away at age 100. Unlike most Americans, I was alive and old enough to vote when he ran for president and won in 1976. I voted for his rival, President Gerald Ford. I don’t remember why. There was a lot of talk about Carter among family […]

RIP Jimmy Carter

RIP Jimmy Carter Former US president Jimmy Carter passed away at age 100. Unlike most Americans, I was alive and old enough to vote when he ran for president and won in 1976. I voted for his rival, President Gerald Ford. I don’t remember why. There was a lot of talk about Carter among family […]

Advent vs. Christmas

Advent vs. Christmas This year, 2024, Christmas and Hanukkah fell on the same calendar day. (Except, of course, for Eastern Christians who celebrate Christmas somewhat later.) Many Jews celebrate December 25 every year—as a “Winter Holiday.” But they would not identify Hanukkah and Christmas—even this year. Although they fell on the same day, they were […]

Eternity and Immutability of God

The Eternity and Immutability of God according to Hermann Cremer in The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes, 4:4, pp. 76-81 Kudos to those who are continuing reading this book with me! For those who have not read these pages, please do not comment. You may, however, ask a question. In about a week I […]

Evangelical Inquisitions

Evangelical Inquisitions I’ve been actively involved in evangelicalism and especially the evangelical academy (scholarly community) for over thirty years now and I’ve noticed a bad habit among conservative evangelical biblical scholars and theologians. They seem addicted to inquisitions. It happened to me again, just today. An e-mail from “friends” (an evangelical organization I allegedly belonged […]

God’s Omnipresence According to Cremer

God’s Omnipresence According to Hermann Cremer: The Christian Doctrine of the Attributes of God, Part 4: Divine Attributes Implicit in the Concept of God, Seen in the Light of Revelation, 2: The Omnipresence of God (pp. 61-69) If you are reading with me, and have read this section of the book, feel free to comment. […]