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Professor Roger Olson: An Interview Part 3

Today, we continue our Interview with Dr. Roger Olson, Professor of Theology, Truett Theology Seminary, Waco, Texas. This is part three of a four part series. Professor Olson is both an accomplished theologian in the Arminian tradition as well as a renowned historian of Christian Theology. His many books include The Story of Christian Theology, Who Needs Theology?, The Mosaic of Christian Belief, 20th-Century Theology, Pocket History of Theology, and under discussion today, his latest book, Arminianism: Myths and Realities. Welcome Dr. Olson... Professor, what does Classic Arminianism teach concerning... Read more →

Professor Roger Olson: An Interview Part Two

Dr. Olson, in the Introduction to Arminian Theology: Myths & Realities, you write: “The thesis of this book is that Arminianism is at a disadvantage in this controversy because it is so rarely understood and so commonly misinterpreted both by its critics and its supposed defenders.” But Dr. Olson, I hear so often that Arminianism is rampant in America’s pulpit--usually by Calvinist apologists. What do you make of that? Well, it’s a misunderstanding. What’s rampant in America’s pulpit and pews are not Arminians but semi-Pelagians. But what has happened is... Read more →

Professor Roger Olson: An Interview

Finally! The post many have been anticipating. Today I begin a series of four posts of a formal interview with Professor Roger Olson concerning his newest book Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. New Testament scholar Scot McKnight is presently doing a review series definitely worth your time. I also reviewed Olson's Arminian Theology elsewhere >>> I chose to break up the interview into bite-sized chunks offering, I believe, more opportunity for interaction. I must express my gratitude to Dr. Olson for allowing me this interview and giving permission to post... Read more →

Attacks on Dr. Jerry Vines by Peter Lumpkins

I listened to Dr. Jerry Vines’ message entitled “The Baptist and His Election” preached at First Baptist Church,Woodstock,GA last Sunday evening. He stated that his Pastor, Dr. Johnny Hunt, had asked him to address the issue for their church. Dr. Vines was self-admittedly out of his norm—he read his sermon rather than extemporaneously delivered it >>> Dr. Vines is a key figure in Southern Baptist life. He remains an icon of the Conservative Resurgence within the SBC having been elected President of the convention, 1988-90. Before moving to First Baptist... Read more →

The Sacrifice That Atones: A Brief Study of 1 John 2.2 Revisited

John writes: “He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only for ours but the sins of all the world” (1 John 2.2 NLT). In order to better grasp this verse, let’s consider a brief background of the Elder’s first little letter. Undoubtedly written by an eye witness of Jesus (1.1-4), most scholars seemingly attest to a date for it in the mid to late nineties A.D. And, though some have questioned whether John the Apostle penned it, Guthrie is surely right to insist “ it must... Read more →

Calvinists and the World of John 3.16

In Jesus’ private conversation with Israel’s star Pharisaic pupil, He uttered words that would become the measure by which no other verse in Scripture so encapsulates the basic message of the Gospel: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3.16). F.F. Bruce concludes that if any one statement sums up the message of the Fourth Gospel, this is it—John 3.16 >>> Many modern Calvinists, while not at all challenging the... Read more →

Why People Are Eternally Condemned by Peter Lumpkins

At risk of reductionism stands the one who attempts as do I in this little post to capture in one simple thought the essence of a complex idea. Yet, I fail to hesitate because, at least from whence I presently observe, there exists two Biblical perspectives of inequitable weight which attempt to answer the age old question pertaining to the eternal condemnation of the wicked. One we may call the Calvinist perspective and the other we may call the non-Calvinist perspective >>> Furthermore, it seems to me that, while each... Read more →

Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities: A Review: Final Installment

Just a note before I offer my final installment on Professor Olson’s forthcoming volume, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities, scheduled to be released in October, 2006 by IVP Academic. On my first post for this book, I mentioned that a possible interview with Dr. Olson was in the works. That now seems a reality! It has been confirmed. Thus, within the next three weeks, expect a posting of that interview >>> A major strength of the book, from my perspective is the way Olson laid out the message of Arminianism.... Read more →

Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities: A Review: Part Two

In Professor Olson’s forthcoming work, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities (AT), the purpose is not to defend Arminianism against centuries’ worth of assaults. Rather, Dr. Olson candidly says he wishes his work to be a true opening exposition to Arminian theology. He writes >>> The affirmations of Arminianism…form the backbone of this book. Even though reasons why Arminians are not Calvinists will be provided, [AT] is not a polemic against Calvinism. Nor is it intended so much as a defense of Arminianism as a statement of true Arminian theology (p.43).... Read more →

Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities: A Review

I recently received my copy of Professor Roger Olson’s newest book, Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities. For the next few installments on SBCT, I hope to profile Dr. Olson’s work. You may want to check out other books by Olson here. In addition, I hope SBC Tomorrow may be able to negotiate an interview with Professor Olson by the book’s projected release date in October, 2006. Arminian Theology: Myths and Realities (AT), promises to be the definitive opening introduction to classical Arminian theology. It remains tragic that such misinformation exists... Read more →