Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 18

Trump on Hitler

Trump on Hitler According to John Kelly, Donald Trump’s longest-serving White House Chief of Staff, Trump said Hitler “did some good things” and he would like to have generals like Hitler had. Is it every a good thing to say good things about Hitler? Simply, no. Whatever good Hitler did was so overwhelmed by the […]

The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes Part 1

The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes Part 1 Here I begin a discussion, with others, of the book The Christian Doctrine of the Divine Attributes by German theologian Hermann Cremer. I announced this book discussion two weeks ago. If you have read Chapter I “The Concept of the Divine Attributes,” you are welcome to […]

I Told You So…

I Told You So… On Sunday, October 13, presidential candidate Donald Trump told an interviewer on Fox News that he would possibly favor using the US Military, including the National Guard (who he would have control over as president), against the “enemy within,” “sick people, radical left lunatics.” Anyone who has been paying any attention […]

Wiping Away Christianity

Wiping Away Christianity One segment of the contemporary right-wing movement is represented by the “Million Women March” on Washington D.C. (October 12). Tens of thousands of American women, mostly mothers, marched on Washington to express their dissatisfaction with American culture’s moral decline and the “elites’” attempt to wipe Christianity away from politics, education and popular […]

Is Suicide a Sin?

Is Suicide a Sin? Is Suicide a sin? If so, does God forgive it? Those questions come to me fairly often. Most recently, a former student and friend committed suicide. He was a well-loved chaplain, a loving man, compassionate and caring. Everyone who knew him admired him. But he suffered major depression. His death made […]

For Theology Nerds: A Book to Discuss

For Theology Nerds: A Book to Discuss It has been a while since I proposed a book discussion here. Here is one I intend to start and lead here. I will start with the Preface and Chapter 1: The Concept of the Divine Attributes in approximately two weeks. That will give you time to order […]

What Is “Democratic Socialism?”

What Is Democratic Socialism? Democratic socialism is what all rational people would choose in the “original condition” under the “veil of ignorance.” That’s why I support it. Historically it has been promoted by many Christians including the original Pietists such as Philipp Jacob Spener (1635-1705) and August Hermann Francke (1663-1727). Pietist Christians were among the […]

Why Trump?

Why Trump? Ever since the 2016 race for the White House I have asked myself and some other people “Why Trump?” What does he have that attracts such passionate support from so many Americans? I have spent hours reading and watching (respectable Youtube videos interviewing Trump supporters and others), trying to understand this phenomenon. Here […]

Does Satan Do That?

Does Satan Do That? Recently I was talking with a friend about a failed plan to get together. Our meeting would have taken some planning and travel. We pondered why, why our plan for along-overdue reunion fell through due to circumstances beyond our control. He suggested that God’s plans over rule ours. “Man proposes, but […]

A New Evangelical “Barmen Declaration?”

A New Evangelical “Barmen Declaration?”   I have long called for a new Barmen Declaration that addressed our contemporary American political and social crisis.  Here is one recently written and signed by many evangelical and other leaders. I have asked that my name be attached. I’m not including the list of signers here as, in […]