Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 169

Why I Do Not Believe in Absolute “Body Autonomy”

My recent post on abortion brought about some interesting reactions. A few responding comments were well-thought-out, reflective, reasonable ones. Many, in my opinion, illustrated well the problem at the center of my message–people’s deeply entrenched, unreflective, extreme positions. (I don’t consider a position “reflective” unless it has taken seriously opposing views.) Some of the responses [Read More...]

Leaves from the Notebook of a Not-So-Tamed Cynic

Leaves from the Notebook of a Not-So-Tamed Cynic I have a confession to make that won’t surprise people who know me well. I struggle with cynicism. But I think if you knew some of my life experiences with powerful people I should have been able to trust but who turned out to be totally unworthy [Read More...]

Questions about Both Sides of the Abortion Debate

Questions about Both Sides of the Abortion Debate Many states, including Texas, are in the throes of debates over access to abortions. Many fear or hope that the U.S. Supreme Court will one day overturn Row vs. Wade and decide that all or most abortions are illegal. If that day comes, many people will say [Read More...]

A Theology of Duck Dynasty (Or What Duck Dynasty Says about American Culture and Christianity)

A Theology of Duck Dynasty (Or What Duck Dynasty Says about American Culture and Christianity) A while ago a good friend suggested I “check out” the television “reality show” Duck Dynasty. He said that it’s indicative of an aspect of American culture and, as a theologian who believes theology should be culturally aware and relevant, [Read More...]

The Best and Worst Christian Songs–Your Nominations

The Best and Worst Christian Songs—Your Nominations I invite you to nominate Christian songs as “best” and “worst” using theology as the criterion. Please do not include whole verses or choruses in your nominating comment! Copyright laws forbid it. Just include a line or two and how that illustrates what’s theologically good or bad about [Read More...]

Is there Vitality in “Mainline Religion?”

Is there Vitality in “Mainline Religion?” Yesterday (July 23, 2013) my colleague Philip Jenkins posted an article from The New York Times on his blog. The article is entitled “A Religious Legacy, with Its Leftward Tilt, Is Reconsidered.” (No URL was provided, so I’m not providing one here. Google the article or go to the [Read More...]

Jesus Always First (Not “Jesus Only”)

Jesus Always First (Not “Jesus Only”) Here’s the theological question behind this musing: When composing a Christian statement of faith, a statement of faith for a Christian church, educational institution, whatever, what or whom should the first article be about? Where should it begin? Two candidates spring to mind because they are often used as [Read More...]

Are Men the New Second-Class Citizens? (My Appearance on HuffPostLive July 19, 2013)

Are Men the New Second-Class Citizens? (My Appearance on HuffPostLive July 19, 2013) Yesterday I appeared with two other guests on the internet program HuffPostLive at 3:30 PM EDT. The subject of our web interview and discussion was the following column published by Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/0... . The column, which you should at least glance [Read More...]

A Few Thoughts about Blogging: If You Plan to Comment, Please Read This!

First, let me say that blogging is a joy for me. I do it out of a sense of mission. In my opinion, there are too few moderate evangelicals blogging about serious theological subjects and attempting to steer a path between theological conservatism and liberalism. Second, let me say thanks to all of you who [Read More...]

A New Book about Hell that Will Make You Think

A New Book about Hell that Will Make You Think A while ago evangelicals were all buzzing about a book entitled God Wins by Rob Bell. I defended the book against some who attacked it before it was even published and before they read it. That didn’t mean I like it. In fact, I thought [Read More...]