Roger E. Olson's Blog, page 63

A Quick Note to my Blog Followers…

Dear Blog Friends and Followers, Please stay tuned; don’t go away! Occasionally (as now) I have to take a brief hiatus from posting anything. But I will keep moderating my blog as possible, so keep posting comments and questions. Thanks for your understanding. Roger Olson

Kenotic Christology Explained and Defended

Kenotic Christology Explained and Defended Throughout my career as student and professor of theology I have often talked and written about “kenotic Christology.” I have read many books about the subject, had conversations with theological proponents and opponents of it, and sought to explain it to students—both in academic and ecclesiastical settings. In brief, kenotic […]

What Is the Purpose of a Christian College or University?

What Is the Purpose of a Christian College or University? I have been a faculty member of three Christian universities (one was called a “college” when I taught there) in succession over the past almost forty years. I have held tenured positions at two of them and now have held a named chair at one […]

A Model for Church Discipline

A Model for Church Discipline Recently, here, I have been advocating a return by Christians to standards of holiness that many, if not most, evangelicals have forgotten. In my experience, very few evangelical churches (and I include in that category a wide range of denominations and specific “types” of relatively conservative Protestant churches) uphold or […]

Slip Sliding Away: Culturally Accommodated “Christianity”

Slip Sliding Away: Culturally Accommodated “Christianity” I recently posted here some thoughts about Christians and modesty. I expected disagreement and I got it. My purpose was to provoke thought about Christian norms. To what extent do we, American Christians especially, allow our Christianity to be shaped and re-shaped by contemporary American culture? Are we supposed […]

Should Christian Colleges and Universities Use Nude Models in Art Classes?

Should Christian Colleges and Universities Use Nude Models in Art Classes? This has been a lively discussion and debate within and around especially conservative Christian colleges and universities for a very long time. Recently a female student who majored in art in her undergraduate career complained that the university disallowed male nude models. She blamed […]

Remembering “Satanic Panic” in America (1980s)

Remembering “Satanic Panic” in America (1980s) One of the curses and blessings of getting old is remembering things other people don’t remember—either because they have forgotten or because they weren’t alive or because they just weren’t paying attention. I’m talking about important things, things that mattered, things that made a difference, a lasting impact. One […]

Authoritative vs. Nurturant Styles of Religion

Authoritative vs. Nurturant Styles of Religion Occasionally a friend (or even a stranger) sends me a book they have written and want me to read and possibly review here. Recently arrived is Embracing Prodigals: Overcoming Authoritative Religion by Embodying Jesus’ Nurturing Grace by my friend John Sanders (Cascade Books, 2020). It’s an excellent little book […]

Who Is A “Progressive Christian” and How Is That Different from “Liberal Christian?”

Who Is A “Progressive Christian” and How Is That Different from “Liberal Christian?” Recently I had a protracted discussion, almost a debate, with a publisher about the label “liberal Christian.” He said almost nobody calls himself or herself a “liberal Christian.” The new term for the same thing is “progressive Christian.” I have been reading […]

R.I.P. Hans Kueng (1928-2021)

R.I.P. Hans Küng (1928-2021) On April 6 this year (2021) Catholic theologian Hans Küng of Switzerland died. He was 93. I call him a Catholic theologian even though the Vatican declared him not one in 1979. I have included an entire chapter about him and his theology in my The Journey of Modern Theology: From […]