Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 36

The Church as Christ?

The Church as Christ? Recently I have preached three sermons about the church in three different churches. My underlying reason can be expressed like this: I believe contemporary American Christianity has, by and large, trivialized the church. What do I mean by “church?” The whole body of Christ composed of all true believers in and […]

Christian Higher Education a Two Edged Sword

Christian Higher Education a Two Edged Sword Is higher education always beneficial for everyone? Here I want to focus my thoughts solely on Christian higher education—college, university, seminary. I have quite a bit of experience in this area, not only because I taught for almost forty years in three Christian universities but also because I […]

Cults Again!

Cults Again! This is to announce my forthcoming book Unsafe Sects: Understanding Religious Cults (Cascade Books [Wipf and Stock]). I will announce here when it is published and available to order. The book is the result of years and years of studying especially, but not only, American religious cults, sects, alternative religions. I taught a […]

What I Think About the War in Ukraine

What I Think About the War in Ukraine No pun is intended when I say I know I am stepping into a mine field here. But, here goes anyway. I think Ukraine’s defense of itself as a sovereign nation is a just war. And I hope it/they win over Russia. However, I am not confident […]

What I Believe about America as a “Christian Nation”

What I Believe about America as a “Christian Nation” Is America a Christian nation? Was it ever one? What does the question even mean? A heated debate has swirled around this question (or these questions) for many years—especially since the Supreme Court’s ruling against organized  or teacher-led prayer in public schools. Is America even a […]

“Why?” Chapters 21-23 The Book Finished

“Why?” Chapters 21: “Prayer and Argument” ”Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” by Abram van de Beek (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1990) is the book some of us have been discussing here. I am now going to comment on Chapter 21 which, I believe, is one of the most crucial chapters. Chapter 21 is titled “Prayer […]

I Am a Proud Christian Nationalist (Guest Post)

I am a Proud Christian Nationalist (Guest Post by Richard Cantrell, evangelical pastor of a rural Southern church) [ Dr. Olson’s July 4th post on the critical difference between patriotism and nationalism inspired me to submit a post that complements his thesis with an attempt to find common ground between American nationalism and Christian faith. […]

It’s Fun to Be Vindicated! A Feminist Calls for Help for Men

It’s Fun to Be Vindicated! A Feminist Calls for Help for Men For years I have been advocating for greater social attention to the needs of men and boys, most of who are struggling to find their place in the world. I have suffered ridicule and harsh push-back. Masculinity is now a dirty word. “Toxicmasculinity” […]

This World Is Not My Home (I’m Just A-passin’ Through)

This World Is Not My Home (I’m Just A-passin’ Through) The title of this blog essay is the first line of an old evangelical gospel song. “This world is not my home; I’m just a-passin’ through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue….” I grew up singing that in church. Or maybe I […]

“Why?” Chapter 20: “The Spirit Has Time”

“Why?” Chapter 20: “The Spirit Has Time” This is a commentary on Chapter 20 of Abram van de Beek’s book “Why? Suffering, Guilt and God.” Some of my readers are reading the book with me and we are taking OUR time to discuss it chapter by chapter. The previous chapter, 19, was “Jesus Christ—God’s Choice” […]