Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 190

Thoughts about the terms “heresy” and “heretic”

The recent “dust up” over possible semi-Pelagianism among certain Baptists has given rise to the usual confusion about terms like “heresy” and “heretic.” So let’s clear things up a little (hopefully). What makes a belief “heresy?” Well, there’s no easy answer to that unless it is within a church or denomination that has a formal [...]

Further thoughts on why “inerrancy” is problematic

Notice I put “inerrancy” in “scare quotes.” That’s to indicate that what I am talking about is the term, not precisely the concept. Or, to put it another way, my concern is that the term is used for many different concepts and therefore, without definition, is virtually meaningless. Now I am going to quote a [...]

What does “inerrancy” actually do?

What does “inerrancy” actually do? During this week’s brouhaha over possible semi-Pelagianism among Southern Baptist theologians (see the previous two posts and the comments here), one response has stuck in my mind and given me reason to worry. It worries me more than the possibility of semi-Pelagianism in the ranks of the theologians. I confess [...]

Prevenient Grace: Why It Matters

Prevenient Grace: Why It Matters This is a follow up to my earlier post regarding the statement of the traditional Southern Baptist view of salvation by certain Southern Baptist non-Calvinist, non-Arminian pastors and theologians. If you have not read that post, go back and read it before reading this one. Here I am picking up [...]

Thoughts about “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation.”

Thoughts about “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation.” Recently a group of non-Calvinist Southern Baptists wrote and signed “A Statement of the Traditional Southern Baptist Understanding of God’s Plan of Salvation.” I certainly have no objection to a group of non-Calvinists pushing back against the tidal wave of [...]

A Mysterious Topic (Part 2)

A Mysterious Topic: “Mystery,” “Paradox,” and “Contradiction” in Theology (Part 2) If you have not read Part 1 (posted May 31, 2012) please read that first. This may not make any sense otherwise. One way in which some well-meaning but misguided persons have attempted to resolve the seemingly intractable differences between divine determinism, including evil [...]

Why I still call myself a…Baptist

Some of my theological friends criticize me for holding on to my “Baptist” identity in the current theological and political context (especially the U.S.A.) where these labels have largely come to mean mean-spirited, narrow-minded, legalistic, even hypocritical religiosity and where they are virtually equated with the Religious Right, of which I am not a part. [...]

A Mysterious Topic: Part 1

A Mysterious Topic: “Mystery,” “Paradox,” and “Contradiction” in Theology (Part 1) I was recently asked to preview the manuscript of a forthcoming book on theology and mystery. I promise to review it here when it is published. So far, however, the manuscript is open to possible changes by the book’s authors, so I don’t want [...]

Good article about Social Darwinism

Coincidentally (?) just as I was blogging about Social Darwinism last week, the Minneapolis Star-Tribune was getting ready to publish a major op-ed piece about the subject. I don’t know what access you might have to it on line, but it is on the front page of the “Opinion Exchange” section (OP1) Sunday, May 27 [...]

And now…on the other hand…

For a few days we’ve been discussing the faiths of the founding fathers. I’m still on that subject, but today’s post will probably upset the “other side”–those who have been with me so far. Even thought the leading founding fathers (Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Adams, Madison) were not orthodox Christians, they were theists. I believe (based [...]