Roger E. Olson's Blog

Many people, probably most, misunderstand the word “denomination” as it applies to religion. With what authority do I say this (and explain the true meaning)? I have studied the concept of “denomination” and individual ones for many years. I hold a PhD in Religious Studies from a major American research university. I have a lifelong […]

CBS Evening News featured a segment about the rise of non-denominational churches. It focused, as an example, Rooftop Church in St. Louis. The point of the story was that Christians are increasingly gravitating to non-denominational churches. I don’t dispute that. However, I would ask CBS News and other media outlets to talk to those of […]

*Now continues a second part of this series; this series is about my reasons for being a Christian and for embracing a particular “brand” of Christianity called (as in the name of this blog) “evangelical Arminianism.” In order to understand this post you need to read the immediately preceding one about my reasons for being […]

Here I continue discussion of Walter Rauschenbusch’s book The Social Principles of Jesus with Chapter V: The Kingdom of God: Its Tasks. The subtitle is revealing: “The Right Social Order Is the Supreme Task for Each.” If you have read the chapter, feel free to comment. If not, you may ask a question. In any […]

I frequently hear or read Ockham’s Razor (sometimes spelled Occam’s Razor) in television shows, movies, documentaries, and books. Most of the time it is misused, even abused. People usually misunderstand it and even philosophers and scientists who should know better often misuse it. The popular version is that Ockham’s Razor means that the simplest explanation […]

*Now begins a second part of this series; this series is about my reasons for being a Christian and for embracing a particular “brand” of Christianity called (as in the name of this blog) “evangelical Arminianism.” 7) My First Reason for Embracing “Evangelical, Arminian Christianity”: Christianity The very idea of “reason for” is multidimensional and […]

Here I take up the next chapter in Walter Rauschenbusch’s The Social Principles of Jesus. It is title simply “The Kingdom” and is the first chapter in Part II: The Social Ideal of Jesus. If you have read it, feel free to comment. If not, you may ask a question. In any case, be sure […]

According to the Church Growth Institute, the way to start and grow a church is to “target” a specific demographic and focus on them. However, looking at today’s American churches, especially evangelical ones, there’s more to it. If you want to “plant” (start) a church, begin with money. There are many networks of churches such […]

This essay continues a series on why I am an “evangelical Arminian Christian.” 6) My Sixth Principle: Receiving Answers to Life’s Ultimate Questions Involves Faith (But Faith Should Be Supported by Reasons) (By Roger E. Olson) As I move on in this series of “my principles,” what I say will increasingly assume readers’ knowledge of […]

“The strong must stand with the weak and defend their cause.” That is Walter Rauschenbusch’s third of Jesus’s social principles in The Social Principles of Jesus. If you are reading it with me, feel free to comment. If not, feel free to ask a question. In any case, observe the rules stated at the end […]