Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 3

Why I Am an Evangelical Arminian

*First read my first two posts in this series; they immediately precede this blog post. 3) My Third Principle: Two Criteria for Deciding What Is True (By Roger E. Olson) As I move on in this series of “my principles,” what I say will increasingly assume readers’ knowledge of the previous essays. Unlike many television […]

What Is Truth? N. T. Wright on Truth

Here I complete discussion of N. T. Wright’s excellent little book (Harvard Lectures) entitled Creation, Power, and Truth. The final chapter is about our (Western) postmodern condition and the status of truth. If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. Whenever I read a chapter […]

Why I Am an Evangelical Arminian Part 2

*First read “My First Principle…” which was a  preceding blog post. This essay is the second in a series about why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 2) My Second Principle: Only I Can Decide What Is True (for Me) (by Roger E. Olson) I do not agree with philosopher Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) about everything, […]

The Main Issue: Democracy

All other contemporary American issues pale in comparison to threats to our democracy. I say “our democracy” because, while it is not entirely unique, it does carry some special features such as the US Constitution’s guarantees of rights and liberties. It also thrives on three branches of government that hold one another accountable. I have […]

Imperialism and Gnosticism (N. T. Wright)

Here I continue my/our discussion of N. T. Wright’s book Creation, Power, and Truth: The Gospel in a World of Cultural Confusion with Chapter 2: Jesus the Lord: the gospel and the new imperialism. If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, fell free to ask a question. The first chapter […]

Charlie Kirk RIP

It seems everyone, at least every Americans, has to have some thoughts about the recent very public assassination of political influencer Charlie Kirk. To be honest, I had never heard of him before the news stories about his tragic murder. Apparently, from all that I have read and watched, I am out of touch. He […]

Why I Am An Evangelical Arminian: Part 1: Truth

*Here begins a series of essays about “Why I am an ‘Evangelical Arminian Christian’.” I begin at the beginning—with my fundamental principles of thought. These essays will appear every few days over the next few weeks.* 1) My First Principle: Authority is Truth (over Status) (by Roger E. Olson) Philosopher/theologian Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) quipped […]

N. T. Wright: Creation, Power, and Truth

Here I begin discussion of N. T. Wright’s book Creation, Power, and Truth: The Gospel in a World of Cultural Confusion (Zondervan) with Chapter One: God the creator in a world of neo-Gnosticism. If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. This is a fairly […]

Is God Infinite?

I have before addressed this question: Is God infinite? I have said no, because it is not a biblical concept. It is a philosophical concept and one that is very confusing and leads into all kinds of disputes. German philosopher Johann Gottlieb Fichte (1762-1814) famously provoked the so-called “Atheismus Streit” (Atheism Debate) in Germany when […]

New Book Discussion: N. T. Wright, Creation…

Here I announce a new book discussion. The book is by noted evangelical biblical scholar and theologian N. T. Wright (whom I will refer to as “Tom” because we are on a first-name basis): Creation, Power, and Truth: The Gospel in a World of Cultural Confusion (Zondervan, 2025). The book comprises lectures Tom gave at […]