Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 28

Avoid Bullies; Speak Out about Them

Avoid Bullies; Speak Out about Them Bullies are everywhere, so it seems. Even in American political life. Being a bully, someone who verbally, if not physically, assaults a weaker person for no good reason, should exclude someone from public life. People who vote for bullies are likely to be bullies themselves. Bullying is one of […]

Are You Brainwashed?

Are You Brainwashed? ”Brainwashing” has been a topic of conversation and controversy for decades now. I think the first time I encountered the idea was when I heard about some American soldiers who, during the Korean War, allegedly spoke sincerely and publicly against America from Korea where they were prisoners of war. Commentators said they […]

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Chapter One (1)

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Chapter One (1) Today I will comment on Chapter One, “The Exaltation of the Individual,” the first two parts: “Christian Love” and “The Exalted Individual.” Feel free to comment if you have read these pages (19-35); if you have not read them, feel free to ask a question. Author Glenn […]

Christian Nationalism as Folk Religion

Christian Nationalism as Folk Religion One of the most influential articles I read was by sociologist of religion Robert Ellwood, who I got to know personally later. It was about Christianity’s “down-home turn.” Right now I don’t remember where it was published, but I cut out the article and kept it in my files. It […]

Questions for Theology Nerds

Questions for Theology Nerds Who is a “theology nerd?” Well, I’m one. We theology nerds love theology. We eat, sleep and breath theology. Why? Well, each of us has a different reason. Mine is probably my family and the church I grew up in. They had no theology. They had doctrines, but no theology. Theology […]

My Story of Being “Cancelled”

My Story of Being “Cancelled” Don’t misunderstand. I’m telling this story to explain why I think the word “inerrancy” is misleading, especially when conservative American evangelicals use it as a kind of litmus test for who’s “in” and who’s “out” of their club. I’m going to omit names here; some of you may be able […]

A Third Testament? Malcolm Muggeridge on Youtube

A Third Testament? Malcolm Muggeridge on Youtube Who was Malcolm Muggeridge? He was a secular journalist, editor of the British satire magazine “Punch,” who became a devout Catholic Christian and prophet to “modern Western man.” One thing that made him famous was the television series “A Third Testament” in which he featured Augustine, Pascal, Kierkegaard, […]

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Preface/Prologue

The Political Meaning of Christianity: Preface and Prologue Some of us here are reading and discussing together a book entitled The Political Meaning of Christianity by political scientist Glenn Tinder (HarperSanFrancisco1991). The purpose is to discern Tinder’s recommendation to us American Christians in this time and place (America in 2024). A question for discussion, throughout […]

What Does “Evangelical” Really Mean?

What Does “Evangelical” Really Mean? According to Rachel Maddow and others on MSNBC (an American news outlet), “evangelical” designates a “political faction” and a “voting block.” See on Youtube “What evangelical really means in the Trump era.” Is this true? I hope not. And I would like to send Maddow and others at MSNBC a […]

But Is It Worth It? A Question to Christian Trumpists

But Is It Worth It? A Question to Christian Trumpist By Christian “Trumpists” here I mean simply Christians who support Trump for President regardless of his obvious moral and character failures. I recently watched and listened to a MSNBC segment featuring journalist and commentator Lawrence O’Donnell. It’s on Youtube. There he says he has interviewed […]