Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 40

About “Why?” By A. van de Beek

About “Why?” By A. Van de Beek This is for those of you who plan to read Bram van de Beek’s book “Why? On Suffering, Guilt and God” with me. Many of you have reported ordering the book. I want to give you a few suggestions about reading it before we begin in May. First, […]

The Basic Difference between Lutheran Theology and Reformed Theology

The Basic Difference between Lutheran Theology and Reformed Theology The basic difference between Lutheran Theology and Reformed Theology that caused Luther to say of the Reformed that they had a “different spirit” is Christology and how the different Christologies play out in the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper which both Lutherans and Reformed consider a […]

“Reformed” and “Calvinist” Are Not Synonyms

“Reformed” and “Calvinist” Are Not Synonyms I know I have written about this subject here before, maybe more than once. But I have new readers and readers who may have forgotten what I said then. Recently I invited readers to join me in the future in a discussion of one of my favorite books: “Why? […]

How Dynamic Is God?

How Dynamic Is God? This is the first installment of a series about the Christian doctrine of God. I will be focusing on one question: How dynamic is God? Let me explain the question. I was personally shocked to learn, during my theological education, that “classical Christian theism” included belief that God cannot change in […]

Is “Power” Something A Christian Should Want?

Is “Power” Something a Christian Should Want? This is not an easy question to answer because “power” is such a vague and contextual concept. Here I am ONLY talking about what some Christians, mostly progressive ones, say they want—“empowerment.” (Of course they are not the only ones who want that!) But I want to discuss, […]

Angry Theologians

Angry Theologians A recent column published by Christianity Today asks “Why Are There So Many Angry Theologians?” The author is Ronni Kurtz, assistant professor of theology at Baptist-related Cedarville University. Before proceeding to read my response, read the essay. You can find it by using key words. I did. An understandable problem with Professor Kurtz’s […]

What Is “Theology?”

What Is “Theology?” Here I am asking only about Christian theology, not philosophical or theologies of non-Christian religions. Here is the best brief definition of Christian theology I have read: “Theology…attempts critically to review the assertions Christians make. They are tested in light of the real actions of God. For Christians do not make their […]

Christ’s Atoning Death was NOT “Divine Child Abuse”

Christ’s Atoning Death was NOT “Divine Child Abuse” Many feminist and womanist (and other) theologians claim that traditional atonement theories, including any and all that consider Jesus’s death on the cross part of a divine plan, constitute “divine child abuse” and wrongly justify human abuse of children and women. This is simply absurd. Why? Because, […]

Thank God for Womanist Theology, But…

Thank God for Womanist Theology, But… As a new Anabaptist, I subscribe the magazine “Anabaptist World.” If you are an Anabaptist (e.g., Mennonite) or have real interest in what is happening among various kinds of Anabaptists today, you really ought to subscribe to “Anabaptist World.” I am a “new Anabaptist” only in the sense that, […]

Whatever Happened to Common Sense?

Whatever Happened to Common Sense? Recently I was asked to help the manager of an apartment complex to revise and update the Rules and Regulations by which both owners and renters must abide. As I was talking with the complex manager about the details, he suggested some additions to which I responded “But aren’t those […]