Roger E Olson – Remembering the Difference between Patriotism and Nationalism

Roger E Olson

I’ve become increasingly concerned that many American Christians (and perhaps especially evangelicals) confuse patriotism with nationalism to the extent that idolatry lurks close by.

Patriotism is love for one’s country without blinders about its flaws and defects. Patriotism seeks to actualize the highest and best ideals of one’s country which can sometimes look like disloyalty to nationalists. Nationalists tend to confuse “country” with “government” and reject as disloyal all criticism of either. However, criticism of the government can be patriotic. In fact, in America patriotism should be constructively critical toward government.

Scot McKnight – The Eight Themes of Liberation Theology

  
Scot McKnight                        Roger E Olson

In a recent post on Patheos, Scot McKnight summarises a recent text of Roger Olson (I think he refers to The Journey of Modern Theology: From Reconstruction to Deconstruction) in which, in the context of his synthesis of modern theology, he deals also with liberation theology. place.

Liberation theology, which also includes feminist theology, as a subdivision, does not have a very good image in Eastern Europe and much of conservative theology, be it Catholic, Orthodox or Protestant/Evangelical. The reason is the  extensive use of Marxist social critique by liberationists, even if they do not usually share the atheistic presuppositions of Marxism or its violent methodology (the revolution) to bring about social change. Of course, there are different versions of liberation theology, from its milder evangelical versions, to the most extreme liberal ones. Of course, those who are critical of liberation theology are usually picking on the extremes, as a means of discrediting this way of doing theology.

I have to confess that I have shared, for many years, these prejudices against liberation theology, until I can personally in contact  with some of its representatives in my World Vision work, and I have realised that, in fact, these people have a lot to offer for theological renewal, especially in the (quite stale, these days) evangelical theological scene.

Here are, according to McKnight, the eight themes of liberation theology, as summarised by Olson:

Should a Theologian’s Life Affect How We Regard His/Her Theology?

Should a Theologian’s Life Affect How We Regard His/Her Theology?

This is a very good question and a carefully nuanced response.