Chaplainmike

How NOT to respond to unimaginable grief

How NOT to respond to unimaginable grief Here we go again. The indestructible Society of Job’s Friends speaks out in the wake of the mass shooting in Sutherland. This time the theologizing comes from Lutheran pastor Hans Feine at the Federalist. In the article Pastor Feine defends God against critics and cynics who charge thatContinue reading “How NOT to respond to unimaginable grief”

Adam Palmer: Cain, Abel, and a Theology of the Table

Note from CM: I’m always happy when we can post something from our friend Adam Palmer. This is good stuff, folks. • • • CAIN, ABEL, AND A THEOLOGY OF THE TABLE By Adam Palmer Too much grief. I have so much, and have it so consistently, and I almost always have it because ofContinue reading “Adam Palmer: Cain, Abel, and a Theology of the Table”

“This world is ruled by violence”

Democracy don’t rule the world You’d better get that in your head This world is ruled by violence But I guess that’s better left unsaid • Bob Dylan • • • The Bible has a lot more to say about violence and its devastating effects upon the human race than it does about other sins,Continue reading ““This world is ruled by violence””

Sermon & Cantata of the Week: November 5, 2017 (All Saints)

(Click picture for larger image) • • • For All Saints Sunday Today, we hear a cantata admirably suited for this Sunday, on which many churches commemorate the faithful departed. Bach’s cantata BWV 26, “Ach wie Flüchtig, ach wie nichtig” (Ah, how fleeting, ah, how fading), takes its theme from the Gospel account of Jesus raisingContinue reading “Sermon & Cantata of the Week: November 5, 2017 (All Saints)”

The IM Saturday Brunch: Nov 4, 2017 — Fall Back Edition

THE INTERNET MONK SATURDAY BRUNCH ”It is talk-compelling. It puts you in a good temper, it makes you satisfied with yourself and your fellow beings, it sweeps away the worries and cobwebs of the week.” It’s the weekend during which most Americans and others in countries around the Northern Hemisphere set their clocks back oneContinue reading “The IM Saturday Brunch: Nov 4, 2017 — Fall Back Edition”

iMonk Classic: What Is Heaven?

Heaven: An interesting topic. Basically, I think we look at it entirely backwards, and really, the Matrix and Capon on Genesis have been extremely helpful to my own thoughts. I am not looking forward to going there. I think I am there. The idea that there is a place where God “is” as opposed toContinue reading “iMonk Classic: What Is Heaven?”

Evolution: Scripture and Nature say Yes! Chapter 4- Intelligent Design and the Book of God’s Works

Evolution: Scripture and Nature Say Yes! Chapter 4- Intelligent Design and the Book of God’s Works By Denis O. Lamoureux Denis begins this chapter by reminding readers he does not hold to the view of design called “Intelligent Design Theory”. He says ID Theorists, for the most part, reject evolution and claim that God intervenedContinue reading “Evolution: Scripture and Nature say Yes! Chapter 4- Intelligent Design and the Book of God’s Works”

Reformation 500: Some Ways We Get the Reformation Wrong

Getting the Reformation Wrong: Correcting Some Misunderstandings by James R. Payton, Jr. IVP Academic, 2010 * * * Originally posted on Reformation Day, 2013 Dr. James R. Payton, Jr. is a professor of history at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario. He grew up in an evangelical home and went to a Christian college, butContinue reading “Reformation 500: Some Ways We Get the Reformation Wrong”

A Halloween Open Mic

A Halloween Open Mic Some years ago, Michael Spencer posed an Open Mic question to the iMonk community: “Where in the Bible does it say Satan wants to take “souls” to hell?” Today, in addition to that query, I’m pulling a few other questions out of Michael’s famous Halloween posts so that we can discussContinue reading “A Halloween Open Mic”

Reformation 500: Is It Time for the Reformation to End? (Scott Lencke)

Note from CM: Sorry for the delay today. As the old song says, “Rainy days and Mondays always get me down.” Actually, my slowness to post has little to do with today but with an extraordinarily busy weekend with friends, at church, and with family. Not to mention very little sleep because of the fantasticContinue reading “Reformation 500: Is It Time for the Reformation to End? (Scott Lencke)”