Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 62

Evangelical Christianity: A Guide for the Perplexed

Evangelical Christianity: A Guide for the Perplexed As a life long evangelical Christianity and alleged scholar-expert on the subject, I am concerned (to put it mildly) about the widespread confusion in culture and society, spread especially by journalists, about the subject. This blog was begun with the intent of, among other things, elucidating the true […]

Again the Distinction between “Christian” and “Saved”

Again the Distinction between “Christian” and “Saved” Please let me remind you again that this blog is FOR evangelical Christians—broadly defined. Others are welcome to ask questions and listen in, but know that this blog is FOR evangelical Christians. It is a safe place for us to discuss theological issues. When I say here or […]

Guest Post by Ted Peters: Reasons for the Hope Christians Have

GUEST POST Note to Readers: Rev. Dr. Ted Peters is one of America’s most notable theologians, but he does not speak for me or anyone else. I find his thoughts stimulating, which is why I sometimes post them here, to my blog. Dr. Peters may or may not decide to respond to comments. My usual […]

What Is Christian Mission without Any Call to Conversion?

What Is Christian Mission without Any Call to Conversion? In 1999 I moved – from one Baptist institution of higher education (college and seminary) to another one. Two different Baptist denominations (conferences, conventions, fellowships). Very similar in many ways, but culturally very different. One mostly northern, the other one mostly southern. One rooted originally in […]

Were “Christianity’s” Evil “Bullies” True Christians?

Were “Christianity’s” Evil “Bullies” True Christians? I recently received in the mail, unexpected, a complimentary copy of a new book published by Zondervan, one of my publishers: Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History by John Dickson (Visiting Academic in the Faculty of Classics at Oxford University and […]

Can God Change the Past?

Can God Change the Past? Believe it or not, this is the kind of question that I enjoy thinking and talking about—even though it is ultimately, for now, before the eschaton, unanswerable in any absolute way. Yet, I do happen to think “no” is a better answer than “yes.” If, in the eschaton, I find […]

Must a Christian Forgive Unconditionally?

Must a Christian Forgive Unconditionally? This is a question many Christians (setting aside others in order to focus on people who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ) forgive others unconditionally? This is a question that has haunted Christian ethics for ages and different Christian ethicists have offered opposite answers. To make the question “come […]

Christian Denominations and Gay Marriage

Christian Denominations and Gay Marriage A few years ago I had the privilege of re-writing (editing and authoring) the 14th edition of the venerable reference book The Handbook of Denominations in the United States published by Abingdon Press. One of the changes I made was to mention each denomination’s stated policy with regard to gay […]

Guest Post: Are UFOs Secret Technology or God’s Chariots?

A Guest Post Are UFOs secret technology or God’s chariots? By Ted Peters Author: Ted Peters is a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and author of, UFOs: God’s Chariots? Spirituality, Ancient Aliens, and Religious Yearnings in the Age of Extraterrestrials, Career Press New Page Books, 2014. ISBN 978-1-60163-318-7. Visit his website: tedstimelytake.com. […]

Is There Such a Thing as “Public Theology?”

Is There Such a Thing as “Public Theology?” Recently, a major evangelical magazine hired a well-known Southern Baptist ethicist to lead their “public theology” division. This provoked a question in my mind. Is there really such a thing as “public theology?” Two words require definitions: “public” and “theology.” First, “theology.” Because the magazine in question […]