Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 33

The Upside-Down Kingdom, Chapter 7: Right-Side Up Detours

The Upside-Down Kingdom, Chapter 7:  Right-Side Up Detours Whenever I read a chapter for discussion, especially if I’m leading the discussion, I try to locate THE paragraph that best expresses the point of the chapter. Here is one I chose for Chapter 7: “God’s love for us transforms our economic behavior. Mercy, not accumulation, becomes […]

Should Christian Colleges Allow Nude Modeling In Art Classes?

Should Christian Colleges and Universities Allow Nude Modeling in Art Classes? This might seem like an odd question to some, perhaps many, of my readers. But those of you who are well-connected insiders to the American evangelical world will probably understand the problem. Just to remind everyone, I taught in three evangelical Christian institutions of […]

“Community” versus “Group” (Critique of Media Use of Language)

“Community” versus “Group” (Critique of Media Use of Language) I realize some will accuse me of picking on a minor issue that might only be a pet peeve. In reality, I’m using this issue as one example of what I notice in American culture these days—a sometimes subtle ideological use (or abuse) of language. I […]

The Upside-Down Kingdom, Chapter 6: Luxurious Poverty

The Upside-Down Kingdom: Chapter 6: Luxurious Poverty I’m curious why more people aren’t commenting on The Upside-Down Kingdom. Either fewer than usual are reading the chosen book this time, or people just don’t have much to say about the chapters. Or both. I find every chapter of the book very convicting, very controversial, even within […]

Christian Zionism Explained

Christian Zionism Explained What is “Christian Zionism?” Well, there is no headquarters or all-inclusive organization, so I can’t speak for or about ALL Christian Zionists. However, I grew up in a church and denomination that I later realized was steeped in Christian Zionism (and probably still is). I discovered over my years in the American […]

Will Disability Endure In Heaven?

Will Disability Endure in Heaven? Increasingly, differently abled (not a recognized phrase by my spell checker as it changed it to “differently ambled”) persons, mostly Christians, are arguing that their disabilities will remain with them in heaven, in the resurrection. A cynic might say they are just trying to normalize their disabilities and make themselves […]

The Upside-Down Kingdom, Chapter 4: Free Slaves

The Upside-Down Kingdom, Chapter 4: Free Slaves Here I continue discussion of Donald Kraybill’s classic book on Christian ethics. According to Kraybill in this chapter, Jesus announced and inaugurated a new social order based on the principles of God’s “jubilee” commands to Israel. The chapter contains a fine, concise description of that and then brings […]

Should Christians Attempt to Legislate Christian Morality?

Should Christians Attempt to Legislate Christian Morality? This is an example of an overly simple question. It has to be fleshed out before being answered. First, a story. Many years ago I was invited to serve on a panel at a denominational meeting. The panel was discussing, in front of a large audience of very […]

America’s Dysfunctional Government

America’s Dysfunctional Government To Christians in America and around the world I beg: Please pray for America. America, as a nation-state, is by most accounts the most powerful country in the world. Our government, and one might say our society, is in crisis. If anyone doubts that, the latest news (fact, not “alternative fact”) is […]

“The Upside-Down Kingdom,” Chapter 4 “Wilderness Bread”

“The Upside-Down Kingdom,” Chapter 4 “Wilderness Bread” In this chapter, Donald Kraybill reveals more about Palestinian society and culture in Jesus’s day with special focus on the economic stratification of the Jewish population. There’s a lot of detail about that in the first half of the chapter, but it’s necessary in order to understand his […]