Roger E. Olson

Just today I learned the name for something I've been noticing but only recently becoming more aware of: "Mather pricing." Go ahead; google it. In today's corporatism (capitalism dominated by huge corporations that also have virtually controlling power over governments) increasingly prices are being set based on sophisticated algorithms that are computer-driven that take individuals' perceived ability to pay into account.For example, many city newspapers are basing subscription rates on: … [Read more...]

I agree with Pope Francis. Terrorism is bad, wrong, evil, condemnable. But viciously ridiculing people's sincerely held religious beliefs and convictions and life forms is also bad and, while violence is not a justified response to it, some kind of reaction is predictable.Satire is one thing; ridicule is something else. But the line between them is thin. But here's one line between that people might consider respecting: It's okay to satirize beliefs and practices that are abhorrent to common … [Read more...]

Universalism Is “In the Air” (Much Discussed) Among Even Evangelicals: What About It? Recently I’ve been reading and reviewing theologian Oliver Crisp’s new book Deviant Calvinism: Broadening Reformed Theology (Fortress, 2014) and at least a few of my blog followers have been reading it with me. I appreciate those who have posted comments about the book or responded to my critiques.One theme that keeps coming up throughout the book is “universalism.” Chapter 6 and 7 are (respecti … [Read more...]

Is There a Difference between “Permitting Evil” and “Doing Evil?” They may make strange bedfellows but on one issue some Calvinists, many atheists, and most process theologians agree: there is no real difference between “doing evil” and “permitting evil.” For them, the traditional claim of free will theists (and many Calvinists!) that God permits evil but never does evil is specious.When Calvinists (or other divine determinists) claim there is no real difference between God doing … [Read more...]

Review of Oliver Crisps’ Deviant Calvinism: Broadening Reformed Theology Part Five This is Part Five of my series of review essays of Oliver Crisp’s new book Deviant Calvinism: Broadening Reformed Theology and deals with Chapter 5 : Universalism and Particularism.” I invite those reading the book with me to agree or disagree with my interpretations of Crisp’s views and I invite others (anyone) to step in to comment on the subject matter itself (in this case “libertarian Calvinism”). … [Read more...]

I recently received this e-mail message from a total stranger. This is why I wrote Against Calvinism--simply to show that Calvinism is not the only Christian option and to point away from it to alternatives (primarily classical Arminianism). This is not the only testimony I've received like this; it's just a very recent and especially poignant and satisfying one. I have only lightly edited it.Here is the message:I'll try to be brief. The first person who really discipled me was my uncle, … [Read more...]

Woody Allen Should Have Quoted Pascal: “Magic in the Moonlight” I am no Roger Ebert and don’t watch that many movies, but in my opinion, for what it’s worth, Woody Allen’s 2014 film “Magic in the Moonlight” is one of the last year’s most theologically profound movies. The theological point, however, may easily be missed without careful attention to the story’s irony.On the surface, unlike Allen’s other theologically profound movie “Crimes and Misdemeanors,” “Magic in the Moonligh … [Read more...]