Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 173

Is the Bible Unclear? A Guide for the Perplexed

I received this question by e-mail: “I’ve been wrestling lately with this question:  I’m wondering why the bible is so unclear on topics that are supposed to be so important (ie Divorce – I know the exception clause, but OK to remarry? Have a church position post-divorce;  Duration of Hell – is punishment eternal leading [...]

Philosophers “doing” theology: pros and cons

I apologize that I have been unable to use my blog as usual. I’ve been traveling and had limited internet access. And I am still having difficult signing into and using Disqus. But I will persevere and I think you all for your patience. I recently learned of a new scholarly journal dedicated to Christian [...]

A Concentration Camp by Any Other Name…

A Concentration Camp by Any Other Name…. For several years the United States has operated a “detention center” (or “detention camp”) in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. It still holds fifty-some “detainees” captured during the U.S.’s invasion of Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C.in 2001. They are not technically “Prisoners of War” [...]

Please Don’t Go Away! And Please Keep Posting Comments. (And a Recommendation of a Good Faith-Based Novel)

Dear Blog Friends, The transition to Disqus continues. It was not my choice and I would have preferred the status quo. I have asked Patheos to make it possible for you to comment without having to create a Disqus account or sign in. I hope that is the case. It seems to me that probably [...]

A New Liberation Theology?

A New Liberation Theology?             Coming out of Brazil is a new liberation theology that is not revolutionary, utopian or even socialistic in the older senses. Its new prophet is Korean-Brazilian theologian Jung Mo Sung. He teaches at both a Methodist and a Catholic university in Sao Paulo. Although he writes in Portugese, some of [...]

Review of The Evangelicals You Don’t Know: Introducing the Next Generation of Christians by Tom Krattenmaker

Review of The Evangelicals You Don’t Know: Introducing the Next Generation of Christians by Tom Krattenmaker (Rowman & Littlefield, 2013)             Thanks to the author and publisher for sending me a complementary/review copy of this book. Tom Krattenmaker is a Portland, Oregon based writer whose columns have appeared in USAToday and other periodicals. By his [...]

Important Modern (English Language) Books about the Trinity

Important Modern (English Language) Books about the Trinity             Here I’m following up on my recent post about the doctrine of the Trinity. I’m often asked to recommend books about Christian doctrinal themes, so here is my list of “favorite books” about the Trinity.  I’m limiting the list to English language (some are translations) and [...]

Happy “May Day” Everyone! (Does Anyone Celebrate It Anymore?)

Watch for my next post…best books about the Trinity. However, in honor of this majestic holiday, I declare an interlude for remembrance and renewed celebration. Does anyone else remember “May Day?” When I was a kid, it was a sort of holiday. Anyway, we observed it at my schools (elementary and junior high) and home. [...]

How Important Is the Doctrine of the Trinity?

  How Important Is the Doctrine of the Trinity?             Here is a quote from Rowan Williams: “Trinitarian theology, in so far as it is concerned with what ‘kind’ of God Christians worship, is far from being a luxury indulged in solely by remote and ineffectual dons; it is of cardinal importance for spirituality and [...]

What Is “God’s Will” and How Can One Find It?

This is a talk I gave recently to a Christian youth group. What Is “God’s Will” and How Can One Find It? Roger E. Olson             There is probably no more important and confusing issue for Christian young people than “finding God’s will for life.” Many have heard that “God has a wonderful plan for [...]