Category: Theology

Book Reviews, Book Vlog, MinistryDirect, Theology3 Comments

“Against Calvinism” by Roger E. Olson

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Roger E. Olson, Against Calvinism (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011). $16.99, 208 pages. In 2009, just in time for the 500th anniversary of John Calvin’s birth, Time magazine declared “the New Calvinism” as one of “10 Ideas Changing the World Right now.” Christianity Today scooped Time on this story with a 2006 article by Collin Hansen entitled, “Young, Restless, Reformed,” which Hansen later turned into a book (and Time referred to). The rise in popularity of this centuries-old theological system with young people seems surprising at first, but given the dearth of in-depth biblical and theological teaching in evangelical churches, … Continue reading “Against Calvinism” by Roger E. Olson

Book Reviews, Theology3 Comments

Atheism = Scientism = Nihilism? My initial impression of “An Atheist’s Guide to Reality” by Alex Rosenberg

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I’m reading The Atheist’s Guide to Reality by Alex Rosenberg, who is the R. Taylor Cole Professor and chair of the Philosophy Department at Duke University. He advocates a new term for atheism: scientism. “This is the conviction that the methods of science are the only reliable ways to secure knowledge of anything; that science’s description of the world is correct in its fundamentals; and that when ‘complete,’ what science tells us will not be surprisingly different from what it tells us today” (pp. 6–7). In the book, he asks and provides “scientific” answers to life’s “persistent questions. On pages … Continue reading Atheism = Scientism = Nihilism? My initial impression of “An Atheist’s Guide to Reality” by Alex Rosenberg

Theology8 Comments

Universalism and the Problem of Evil

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I’m reading The Evangelical Universalist by Gregory MacDonald as research for an article on universalism that I’m writing. (MacDonald is a pseudonym for Robin Parry.) On page 38, MacDonald—citing Thomas Talbott—lists three propositions: It is God’s redemptive purpose for the world (and therefore his will) to reconcile all sinners to himself. It is within God’s power to achieve his redemptive purpose for the world. Some sinners will never be reconciled to God, and God will therefore either consign them to a place of eternal punishment, from which there will be no hope of escape, or put them out of existence … Continue reading Universalism and the Problem of Evil

Interesting, Politics & Culture, The Global Church, Theology2 Comments

“Not Acting Reasonably Is Contrary to God’s Nature”

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Today is the fifth anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI’s lecture at the University of Regensburg, “Faith, Reason, and the University: Memories and Reflections.” The lecture generated a controversy among Muslims because Benedict quoted a derogatory statement about Mohammed uttered by Byzantine Emperor Michael II Paleologus: “Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.” The subject of the lecture was not Islam, however, but the necessary roles both faith and reason play in “genuine dialogue of cultures … Continue reading “Not Acting Reasonably Is Contrary to God’s Nature”

Assemblies of God, The Global Church, TheologyLeave a comment

Chris Wright Lectures at AGTS

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From my friend William Molenaar’s blog: Recently, Dr. Christopher J. H. Wright gave the following series of lectures for the Spring Lectureship at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary: Jan. 19, 2010 “The Whole Gospel, The Whole Church, The Whole World“ Jan. 19, 2010 “The Mission of God“ Jan. 20, 2010 “Numbers 14 & Deuteronomy 1“ Jan. 20, 2010 “Who Does God Love? The Love of God and the Cross of Christ and the Christ’s Mission“ Jan. 20, 2010 “Isaiah 52:7-10“ Jan. 21, 2010 “Who are We and What are we Here for? The Identity and Calling of God’s People“ … Continue reading Chris Wright Lectures at AGTS

Theology2 Comments

Discipling a “Christian Nation”

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On December 6-9, the Gallup organization conducted a poll of 1,027 adult Americans regarding their religious beliefs and practices. It summarizes the major findings of that poll here. Among the conclusions: About 82% of Americans in 2007 told Gallup interviewers that they identified with a Christian religion. That includes 51% who said they were Protestant, 5% who were "other Christian," 23% Roman Catholic, and 3% who named another Christian faith, including 2% Mormon. Sixty-two percent of Americans in Gallup’s latest poll, conducted in December, say they are members of a "church or synagogue," a question Gallup has been asking since … Continue reading Discipling a “Christian Nation”

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Don’t Forget the Great Commission!

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Over at the Christian Vision Project, Ajith Fernando pens a great reminder that evangelicals must not become so focused on doing good works that they forget to proclaim the good news of salvation. Here’s a sample: I hear evangelicals talking a lot about justice and kingdom values but not proclaiming the gospel to those of other faiths and winning them for Christ. Of course, if someone asks them about Christianity, they will explain the gospel. Thus, some people will be converted to Christ through their witness. But that is a woefully inadequate strategy. Most of the billions of people in … Continue reading Don’t Forget the Great Commission!

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The Case for Jesus’ Divinity

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  The following outline makes a case for Jesus’ divinity based on both the implicit and explicit claims of the New Testament. It is taken from Ajith Fernando, The Supremacy of Christ (Wheaton, IL: Crossway: 1995), 70-72.   A.        Implicit Christology 1.         Divine functions performed by Jesus a.         In relation to the universe (1)       Creator (John 1:3; Col. 1:16; Heb. 1:2) (2)       Sustainer (1 Cor. 8:6; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3) (3)       Author of Life (John 1:4; Acts 3:15) (4)       Ruler (Matt. 28:18; Rom. 14:9; Rev. 1:5) b.         In relation to human beings (1)       Healing the sick (Mark 1:32-34; Acts 3:6, … Continue reading The Case for Jesus’ Divinity