Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 58

The Joker/Jester Asks “Why ‘Chosen’?”

The Joker/Jester Asks “Why ‘Chosen’?” For those new to this series, occasionally I take on the role of a church-appointed joker or jester, someone given by the church the right without penalty to question anything—anything said or done by the church, its leaders especially, but also customs, habits, traditions of the congregation or denomination. It […]

A Movie about Calvinism?

A Movie about Calvinism?   For those of you who have been following the series The Joker, please excuse this break. The “joker” will return in due time. One of my favorite movies is “The Truman Show.” I absolutely love it. But I didn’t know others who love it. Most people I’ve mentioned it to […]

The “Joker” Strikes Again: Why Do Churches…?

The “Joker” Strikes Again: Why Do Churches … ? For those of you who have not read my previous blog post explaining what I mean by “the joker,” this is simply a word I use here for my proposed role of the question-asker in a church. My proposal is that every church, even every Christian […]

The “Joker” Begins: Why Do Almost All Pastors Urge Congregants to “Build the Kingdom of God?”

The Joker Begins: Why Do Almost All Pastors Urge Congregants to “Build the Kingdom of God?” I recently announced that I will be posting a series here—about what I would ask pastors, Christian congregational leaders, leaders of Christian organizations and institutions if I could—without negative repercussions. I argued that every church and Christian organization should […]

Every Church Needs a Joker (And the Joker Cometh)

Every Church Needs a Joker (And the Joker Cometh) At least according to legend, during the so-called Middle Ages, every monarch had at his side (or somewhere nearby) a person called a “joker” (or “jester”) whose job it was to make the monarch laugh and sometimes even make fun of the monarch. Actually, from what […]

Let’s Talk about Original Sin–Theologically

Let’s Talk about Original Sin—Theologically This is more than just a book review, but I will now mention a new book about original sin—Original Sin in the Twenty-first Century by Richard J. Coleman (Wipf & Stock, 2021). In the Preface Coleman writes that he would be amply rewarded (for taking up the challenge of writing […]

Let’s Talk about Near-Death Experiences–Theologically

Let’s Talk about Near-Death Experiences—Theologically Someone asked me to reflect on so-called “near-death experiences.” I will attempt to here while noting that many books and documentaries have been made about the subject. I can’t possibly do justice to it in such a brief space as this. First, “near-death experience” (NDE) is a misnomer. I don’t […]

What Is “Progressive Christianity?”

What Is “Progressive Christianity?” I keep hearing this label “progressive Christian.” What does it mean? I answer as a theologian and scholar of American Christian varieties—ecclesiological and theological. The trouble is that there is no historical tradition of “progressive Christianity.” There are no prototypes to point back to or to now. This is in contrast […]

Sometimes Life Gets in the Way–Even of Theology!

Sometimes Life Gets in the Way, Even of Theology! Dear Blog Friends, thank you for your patience and for “staying tuned” here. Don’t worry, I haven’t died or dropped this blog (the two events will almost certainly coincide but hopefully not for a long time). Theology interests me nor more than ever. I am currently […]

Answering a Question: Can There Be a Church without Doctrines?

Answering a Question: Can There Be a Church without Doctrines? This question (Can there be a church without doctrines?) interests me a great deal. I have been asked it in various ways many times over the years. In fact, I have twice been a member of churches that claimed to have no doctrines other than […]