Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 24

Nazi Otto Ohlendorf and the Old Testament

Nazi Otto Ohlendorf and the Old Testament Nazi war criminal Otto Ohlendorf defended his actions by appealing to the Old Testament “texts of terror” in which God is said to have commanded the genocide of Canaanites. His point, during his Nuremberg trial, was that genocide cannot automatically be considered a crime against humanity because God, […]

Can Anything Be Religion?

Can Anything Be Religion? Here, this time, I take off my Christian theologian’s hat and wear only my religion scholar hat. I hold three degrees in religious studies, two from a major secular research university (Rice, Houston, Texas). I have been involved in various program units of the American Academy of Religion including one that […]

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Relevance to MAGA

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Relevance to MAGA Some of us have been reading and discussing The Political Meaning of Christianity by Glenn Tinder. This is my final post about it. If you have been reading the book, feel free to comment; if you have not been reading it, feel free to ask a question. […]

What Is the “Decisive Factor” in Salvation?

What Is the “Decisive Factor” in Salvation? Some Calvinists have told me (and other Arminians) that in Arminian theology the sinner’s decision to accept God’s grace unto salvation is “the decisive factor” in his or her salvation. And, of course, that is meant as a criticism of Arminianism. But is it a valid criticism? No. […]

A Prophetic Book for Conservatives and Progressives

A Prophetic Book for Conservatives and Progressives: Our Next Book for Discussion (First I will finish our current discussion of The Political Meaning of Christianity. Then, in a couple weeks, we will begin discussion of this excellent new book by Austin Fischer. Please order it as soon as possible. I guarantee it will inspire and […]

An Evangelical Side Show? Controversy Again

An Evangelical Side Show? Controversy Again Youtube is filled with rage over this.  Should it be? Or does this just illustrate a weakness within American evangelical ranks? It happened in Springfield, Missouri. A mega church put on a Christian men’s conference. The church was packed with men and maybe a woman or two. The conference […]

The John Birch Society and the Republican Party

The John Birch Society and the Republican Party People smarter than I and more “in the know” are claiming that the current Republican Party is adopting many of the ideas and policies of the John Birch Society. (You can look them up on Youtube if you doubt me.) What is the John Birch Society (JBS)? […]

How a Christian Can Influence Culture for the Good

How a Christian Can Influence Culture for the Good Of course, there are numerous ways in which a Christian can influence society and culture for the good. I write here as an Anabaptist who does not believe in Christians using coercion or force to control “the public square.” But what can an Anabaptist-inclined Christian do […]

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Ambivalence

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Ambivalence Here I take up two more parts or sections of Chapter Four “Social Transformation.” They are “Private Property and Capitalism” and “Mass Society” (pp. 180-195). The them running throughout this book but highlighted in these two sections is ambivalence—ambivalence toward politics and all things associated with it. The Christian, […]

Is American Christian Nationalism A Threat?

Is American Christian Nationalism an existential threat? Guest Post by Theologian Ted Peters Ted Peters is one of America’s best known and most influential theologians. His credentials are too many and too impressive to list here. Look him up on Wikipedia. His blog is: www.patheos.com/blogs/publictheology. He has posted an interview with me (and commentary) on […]