Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 21

Us For Them: Chapter 9: Twenty-Six Names

Us For Them: Chapter 9: Twenty-Six Names Now we come to the final chapter of what most people here agree is an excellent book by Austin Fischer, my friend and former student, pastor of The Vista Church in Temple, Texas. I think it’s important to realize that Austin has been and is talking to Christians, […]

“Christianish”

“Christianish” Repeatedly I have been challenged when I have dared to say that I don’t think a church or minister or teacher is truly, authentically Christian. And my challengers are sometimes right. The decision is not always a “black or white” one. So I have coined a new word—“Christianish.” What does it mean? It means, […]

Bad Faith?

Bad Faith? I recently watched a documentary entitled Bad Faith (2024, Prime Video streaming service, $1.99 rent). It is about Christian Nationalism in America. I didn’t learn anything new. I’ve tracked the movement back to its roots in the so-called Religious Right/Moral Majority movements in the late 1970s through the 1980s and up to now. […]

Us For Them: Chapter 8: Wendell Berry…

Us for Them: Chapter 8: Wendell Berry Would Like a Word The subtitle of this chapter is An Imaginary but Real Conversation Between an Old, White Farmer and a Young, Progressive Pastor on Trump, Whiteness, Friendship, Exaggeration, Anger, and the Unsettling of America. If you are not reading this book with us, or missed this […]

Trump and Putin and NATO and Ukraine

Trump and Putin and NATO and Ukraine According to reliable news sources, former president and presidential candidate Donald Trump has told Russia, including its leader Putin, to “do whatever the hell [you] want” to any NATO country that is not spending enough (whatever that means) towards its own defense. It’s one thing to urge NATO […]

Overcoming Stereotypes and Caricatures

Overcoming Stereotypes and Caricatures Even as I type the title of this blog essay I realize how impossible it sounds—even to me. I believe one of humanity’s biggest problems is mental stereotypes and caricatures (a caricature is a stereotype taken to the next level) of “other people.” We all have them in our heads. They […]

Us For Them: Chapter 7: Conservative and Progressive

Us For Them: Chapter 7: Conservative and Progressive In this chapter author Austin Fischer delivers a powerful punch to Christians locked into ideological mindsets, unwilling to listen to others. I think he gives good descriptions of conservative and progressive mindsets and urges people with them to open up and learn from the others. Both mindsets […]

Should Christians Have Buddha Images in Their Homes?

Should Christians Have Buddha Images in Their Homes? My wife and I watch a British (UK) television show about people seeking houses in villages and rural areas to escape city life. That way we see a lot of the UK (mostly Great Britain, rarely Northern Ireland). One thing that strikes us is how many British […]

Can “The Universe” Have Intentions?

Can “The Universe” Have Intentions? Recently I have heard or read an almost avalanche of references to “the universe” (or “fate”) as if it were God. If you watch American television, movies, read (or listen to) novels, short stories, etc. You should know what I mean. “The universe brought us together.” “The universe is punishing […]

Us For Them: Chapter 6: Righteousness Porn

Us For Them: Chapter 6: Righteousness Porn The author, Austin Fischer, told me that a major Christian publisher rejected the manuscript of this book because “People don’t want to be told to shut the hell up.” They sure don’t! But, o, how often I have wanted to say that! I’m sure you have also. One […]