Book Reviews
Brian Abasciano’s response to a review of his book on Romans 9:10-18
Submitted by drwayman on Wed, 05/16/2012 - 6:58amBrian Abasciano’s response to a review of his book on Romans 9:10-18
by Roger E. Olson, PhD
I don’t normally do this at my blog, but friend Brian Abasciano of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a leading evangelical Arminian, has written an important book on Romans 9-11 from an Arminian perspective. An early review appears to misrepresent some ideas of the book and Brian has asked me to post his response here. If you know someone who has read the review in question, please see that they read Brian’s response.
Here is the response:
Recent responses to Against Calvinism
Submitted by drwayman on Fri, 05/04/2012 - 8:05amRecent responses to Against Calvinism
By Roger E. Olson, PhD
Here I post two e-mails that typify responses I’ve received from individuals about Against Calvinism.
I’m not going to comment on them, just reproduced them here. I’ll let you, my faithful readers, decide what you think and comment on them. I’ve removed anything that would identify their authors.
The One Purpose of Prayer
Submitted by drwayman on Tue, 04/24/2012 - 7:40am"Now, the whole thought in prayer is to get the will of God like that done in our lives and upon this old earth. The greatest prayer any one can offer is, "Thy will be done." It will be offered in a thousand different forms, with a thousand details, as needs arise daily.
But every true prayer comes under those four words. There is not a good desirable thing that you have thought of that He has not thought of first, and probably with an added touch not in your thought. Not to grit your teeth and lock your jaw and pray for grace to say, "Thy will be endured: it is bitter, but I must be resigned; that is a Christian grace; Thy will be endured." Not that please. Do not slander God like that.
God uses moral power, not force
Submitted by drwayman on Thu, 02/16/2012 - 10:57am"The only sort of power that influences in the spirit realm is moral power. By which is not meant goodness, but that sort of power either bad or good which is not of a physical sort: that higher, infinitely higher and greater power than the mere physical. Moral power is the opposite of violent or physical power.
Roger Olson, Some thoughts about my conversation with Michael Horton
Posted on February 4, 2012 by rogereolson
Some Thoughts about My Conversation with Michael Horton
I spoke about why I am “Against Calvinism” for about 15 minutes focusing on the goodness of God and how classical, “high Calvinism” is inconsistent with any meaning of “good” and “love” known to us. Then Mike spoke for about 15 minutes focusing on humanity’s depravity and God’s mercy in electing some to salvation. In other words, he also said that God is good even if not in terms of our “fairness” (because he doesn’t save everyone).
Calvinist doctrine leads to the conclusion that there is no sin in the world
Submitted by drwayman on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 8:26amThomas Taylor (1738-1816) writes, in his seminal work, “A Solemn Caution Against the Ten Horns of Calvinism" (1819):
“There is no such thing as sin in the world. Everything is just going on as he would have it to be; all are acting in the department of life which is appointed. Therefore, go, ye jolly drunkards, and jovial song-singers; proceed, ye numerous tribes of profane swearers and Sabbath-breakers; curse on, ye horrid blasphemers and swarms of liars; ye murderers, plunderers unclean profligates, ye are all doing the will of God, answering the great ends for which you were made.”
Taylor continues:
Scot McKnight, Entire Comparative Review of Horton's For Calvinism and Olson's Against Calvinism
Submitted by SEA on Wed, 01/18/2012 - 8:42amPlease see the attachment to view distinguished New Testament scholar Scot McKnight's entire comparative review of Horton's For Calvinism and Olson's Against Calvinism. The review was originally presented in 13 parts on McKnight's blog, and then included at this site also in 13 parts. Here it has been compiled into one file.
Scot McKnight, "For and Against Calvinism 13"
Submitted by SEA on Mon, 12/26/2011 - 3:31pmFollow the link to view the final installment, part 13 of distinguished NT scholar Scot McKnight's review of the books For Calvinism (by Michael Horton) and Against Calvinism (by Roger Olson): "For and Against Calvinism 13".
Scot McKnight, "For and Against Calvinism 12"
Submitted by SEA on Wed, 12/21/2011 - 8:20amFollow the link to view part 12 of distinguished NT scholar Scot McKnight's review of the books For Calvinism (by Michael Horton) and Against Calvinism (by Roger Olson): "For and Against Calvinism 12".
Scot McKnight, "For and Against Calvinism 11"
Submitted by SEA on Thu, 12/15/2011 - 8:53amFollow the link to view part 11 of distinguished NT scholar Scot McKnight's review of the books For Calvinism (by Michael Horton) and Against Calvinism (by Roger Olson): "For and Against Calvinism 11".