Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 41

A Call for Universal Communion (among Orthodox Christians)

A Call for Universal Communion (among Orthodox Christians) The divisions among Christians is a tragedy and not pleasing to God. Jesus prayed to the Father than his disciples would be one, even as he and the father were one. Surely neither Jesus nor the apostles envisioned a future in which Christians would be so divided. […]

Is America Now “Decadent” (as Khrushchev predicted)?

Is America Now “Decadent” (as Khrushchev Predicted)? Can anyone who has lived long enough (60 plus years) doubt that American culture has changed dramatically in the past half century? Can anyone who has watched television for a half century or more doubt it? I well remember when Soviet Union premier Khrushchev pounded his fist (some […]

A non-fundamentalist, evangelical narrative of the divide

A non-fundamentalist, evangelical narrative of the divide Thanks to Don Johnson for his personal, fundamentalist account of the divide between fundamentalists and (neo)evangelicals. Here, below, is mine; it was taught to me in seminary (North American Baptist Seminary) and by people like George Marsden and Joel Carpenter, historians of modern evangelicalism. And, of course, I […]

Fundamentalism vs. Evangelicalism

Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism, and New Evangelicalism – what’s the difference? (Guest Post by self-identified fundamentalist Rev. Don Johnson) “We suggest that those who still cling to the great fundamentals and who mean to do battle royal for the fundamentals shall be called ‘Fundamentalists.’” This sentence appeared in The Watchman-Examiner, a Christian paper edited by Curtis Lee […]

Ask Professor Olson about Theology

Ask Professor Olson about Theology One of my favorite channels on Youtube is one where people write in questions for “Pastor John [Piper]” I decided to invite you, anyone, to ask me a question about Christian theology. Please keep it brief and specific and know that I may or may not be able to answer. […]

Is the Mind More than the Brain (Again): NDEs and Scientists

Is the Mind More than the Brain (Again): NDEs and Scientists I wonder how many people know about the University of Virginia’s Division for Perceptual Studies? Watch this video on Youtube for scientists discussing research they believe strongly indicates that the mind is more than the brain and that there is some kind of conscious […]

Did God Command Israel to “Show Them No Mercy?”

Did God Command Israel to “Show Them No Mercy?” I have visited this issue before, but it still intrigues me. I’m a strong believer in the inspiration of the Bible even if not in its absolute, technical inerrancy (mainly due to all the qualifications one has to make). I prefer “infallibility” to describe my view […]

Facts vs. Faith?

Facts vs. Faith? Last evening I watched a few episodes of the TV series “Young Sheldon.” I have always guiltily enjoyed “The Big Bang Theory” in spite of the hedonism of some of its characters. I was talked into watching “Young Sheldon” because I had shied away from it, suspecting the writers would, as they […]

The Most Basic Problem in America Today

The Most Basic Problem in America Today What an audacious thing to dare to say! What is the most basic problem in America today? I’ve lived in America my whole live, with the exception of one year in Germany, and I have seen it change so dramatically that it is almost unrecognizable. When I sit […]

Truth and Trump

Truth and Trump I recently viewed and listened to a fascinating interview, conducted in Toronto, Canada, with Bob Woodward. For those of you who don’t know who he is, please “Google” him. I have followed his career since his days as an almost cub reporter for the Washington Times when, together with Carl Bernstein, he […]