I’ve begun reading a relatively new book (2010) by one Steven B. Sherman entitled Revitalizing Theological Epistemology: Holistic Approaches to the Knowledge of God (Cambridge, UK: James Clarke & Co.). The author begins with my category “postconservative evangelical” and defines it thus: “Basically, they [postconservative evangelicals] compose a loose coalition of thinkers who are seeking to facilitate a number of ‘beyond’ moves, theologically: beyond the agenda of the modernist/fundamentalist dichotomy toward what they see as a more holistic theology; beyond… Read more

Over the past several years more Protestant theologians have been protesting what has traditionally been considered the formal principle of Protestantism–sola scriptura. Insofar as I understand him correctly, Gerald McDermott criticizes me for upholding it in his article about evangelicals in First Things (about which I posted here recently).  Yesterday (April 9) I heard evangelical historian par excellence Mark Noll talk about it. Noll is hardly the only evangelical Protestant raising questions about the viability of sola scriptura.  I’m only… Read more

I already know that some people who read what I am going to write here will claim I’m a univeralist.  But that will be based on their attempt to read my “real thoughts” (as they attempt to do with Rob Bell) contrary to what I specifically say.  I am not a universalist.  Anyone who says otherwise is a liar. HOWEVER…What I would like to ask people who get so worked up about universalism is this: What difference would it make… Read more

See/hear the clip of that title at youtube.com.  I don’t know any more about it than what’s there.  It sounds like Bell’s voice, so I’ll assume, unless someone proves otherwise, that it is his voice. Read more

This is for those of you who consider yourselves Arminians or who just want to understand classical Arminianism better. There are all too few good books about Arminius.  This one is expensive, but well worth the $125 (or so) for anyone avidly interested in understanding Arminius’ theology.  If you teach at a college, university or seminary, you ought to have the library order if even if you can’t afford one for yourself. The book is God’s Twofold Love: The Theology… Read more

For those of you wondering what view of God’s sovereignty Piper MIGHT be talking about in his youtube clip (that we’ve been discussing here), watch and listen to this youtube clip: Letters Q&A – If God loved the world why did he let Satan control it? I suspect the crucial word in Piper’s youtube clip (that some have mentioned but most have not) is “ultimately.”  I do think he is saying in that youtube clip that a person who “ultimately”… Read more

Please view and listen to the following video clip on youtube.com: Why does God allow Satan to live? – John Piper If you’re not familiar with Youtube, just go to www.youtube.com and enter that title into the search field.  Click on the title when you see it as a live link.  It’s only a few minutes long. What do you think John Piper is saying about those who disagree with him about God’s sovereignty?  His comment follows immediately after his… Read more

This statement was written in 2001 and signed by 110 evangelical scholars and leaders.  I think it is even more needed now than then.   The Word Made Fresh: A Call for a Renewal of the Evangelical Spirit To be evangelical is to be committed to the Lordship of Jesus Christ–the Word incarnate–in all areas of life and to the supreme authority of the canonical Scriptures–the written Word–in all matters of faith and practice. To be evangelical also entails being… Read more

I often am asked to identify beliefs I think are essential to being authentically Christian.  Of course, one approach to answering that is the well-known black-and-white one that says “Here’s a long list of doctrines and anyone who doesn’t believe them isn’t a Christian.”  People who love solid and narrow boundaries and who love to exclude people go for that.  Some of us are aware of difficulties with such an approach. I’ve tried to come up with just such a list… Read more

I rarely (perhaps never so far) post a reader’s comment as one of my own posts, but this one expresses my sentiments about the present state of evangelicalism so well I just have to share it.  I know not everyone can read every comment I approve, so I am “elevating” this one to the status of one of my own posts.  See below: Dr. Olson, I continue to follow you carefully on your blog. I really appreciate your insight, your… Read more