Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 20

No Such Thing as “The Evangelical Church”

No Such Thing as “The Evangelical Church” There, I heard it again. A talking head, a scholar, commentator, on MSNBC uttered the phrase “the evangelical church.” There is no such thing as “the evangelical church!” One of the reasons I suggested that we here discuss the video series “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” (Randall […]

Was RichaNixon a Communist?

Was Richard Nixon a Communist? Did Donald Trump say the late President Richard Nixon was a communist? Well, no, not exactly. In fact, I’m not sure he was thinking of Nixon at all when he said (I saw and heard it on NBC News) that “price controls” are a communist idea. In August, 1971, and […]

Is So-And-So in Heaven?

Is So-And-So in Heaven? Recently I came across a Youtube video consisting of a discussion among conservative evangelical influencers about whether “so-and-so” (name left out here) is in heaven. The so-and-so in question died recently and was for years a very well-known evangelical Christian influencer, apologist, popular speaker. After he died several people came forward […]

The Way We Were: American Evangelicals

The Way We Were: American Evangelical In my previous post here I announced a new discussion topic: the documentary “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” (PBS) narrated by historian Randall Balmer. I got very busy and have had to neglect this blog for a week. However, I still urge you to rent or purchase the […]

A New Discussion Topic: American Evangelicalism

A New Discussion Topic: American Evangelicalism Announcing a new discussion topic: “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” — a video series featuring historical Randall Balmer. It is available for rent or purchase on Amazon Prime (only $2.99 for rental for 30 days but only 48 hours to watch it) and on Youtube. You can buy […]

Does Calvinism Deny God’s Goodness?

Does Calvinism Deny God’s Goodness? I just watched it again. It’s on Youtube. “Does God Predestine People to Hell // Ask Pastor John.” Before answering the question, Piper says that people should NOT believe God predestines people to hell IF believing that would cause them to doubt God’s goodness. But the underlying but important issue […]

A Statement of Faith (Doctrines)

A Statement of Faith (Doctrines) I wrote this one for a Baptist seminary that did not already have a statement of faith. A Statement of the Common Faith of a Baptist Theological Seminary This statement of faith reflects the consensus of the faculty and administration of  this Baptist Seminary; it is not a creed or […]

Is There a Doctrine in the House?

Is There a Doctrine in the House? Thesis: contemporary American Christianity has by-and-large let go of doctrines. Some churches have no doctrines. Some have doctrines but they serve as little more than historical relics or heirlooms that rarely get any attention. Many churches have decided, officially or unofficially, to make doctrines optional. Some even ridicule […]

Pay Attention to All that Trump Has Said and Done

Pay Attention to All that Trump Has Said and Done! Consider this an addendum to my previous blog post about former President Donald Trump’s statements that if elected again he will “fix it” so that his followers never have to vote again. I read the responses and here is my response to those who disagreed […]

If This Doesn’t Do It…Nothing Will

If This Doesn’t Do It…Nothing Will Some time ago, fairly recently, I asked here what it would take for Trump supporters to stop supporting him (for president of US again). I received a variety of answers. Now, and I know this because I saw it and heard it on ABC News (from the horse’s mouth […]