Chaplainmike

Civil Religion Series: America as a “Christian Nation” in the 19th Century

Civil Religion, part seven America as a “Christian Nation” in the 19th Century Presidential election years in the U.S. provide American Christians an opportunity to reflect upon our faith and how it applies to our lives as citizens and to the public issues that affect us all. We are taking many Tuesdays throughout 2016 toContinue reading “Civil Religion Series: America as a “Christian Nation” in the 19th Century”

Mondays with Michael Spencer: May 9, 2016

Note from CM: On Mondays, we are hearing some of what Michael Spencer had to say on the subject of eschatology — the last things. Today’s post is the best one Michael ever wrote on the subject, in my opinion. I love the way he brings the themes of “kingdom,” “eternal life,” “new creation,” and being “born again”Continue reading “Mondays with Michael Spencer: May 9, 2016”

Sundays in Easter with Henri Nouwen: May 8, 2016

Sundays in Easter with Henri Nouwen On the Eucharistic Life This is the final Sunday in Eastertide and next Sunday we mark Pentecost. During this season we are contemplating words from Henri Nouwen on the eucharistic life. Our main source is his book, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life. • • • Today, we consider twoContinue reading “Sundays in Easter with Henri Nouwen: May 8, 2016”

Saturday Ramblings: May 7, 2016

This 1962 Rambler advertisement promised mothers that their two-year-olds would be in kindergarten before their car needed its first chassis lubrication. However, given the primitive understanding of “child safety” that this picture indicates, he would have been lucky if he made it to age three! We’ve come a long way in that regard, haven’t we? I remember climbing all overContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings: May 7, 2016”

Dear John Letter to the G.O.P.

So, Republican party, I think we need to talk. We’ve been together for a long time; over 35 years now. That’s amazing. I still remember that joy of first love, way back in 1980. I was only 18, but took part in the Iowa Caucuses, got to ask a question during the GOP debate, andContinue reading “Dear John Letter to the G.O.P.”

Mike the Geologist: Science and the Bible (Lesson 3)

Science and the Bible Lesson 3 By Mike McCann In my previous essay, I talked about how I am a methodological naturalist when it comes to doing science, and you should be too. It’s not that I don’t believe in miracles, I do; it’s that miracles, by definition are the one-off exceptions to the rules. Continue reading “Mike the Geologist: Science and the Bible (Lesson 3)”

Progressive Antidotes: Worship not Performance – the Pursuit of Authenticity

Progressive Antidotes Worship not Performance – the Pursuit of Authenticity We are spending some time with Morgan Guyton’s new book, How Jesus Saves the World from Us: 12 Antidotes to Toxic Christianity. Guyton represents one of the three main streams that has flowed out of American evangelical culture to form post-evangelicalism. This third stream, as we discussedContinue reading “Progressive Antidotes: Worship not Performance – the Pursuit of Authenticity”

Threescore and ? — Beginning the last lap

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. • Psalm 90:10, KJV • • • Well, I’ve gone and done it. Used up my threescore. TodayContinue reading “Threescore and ? — Beginning the last lap”

Mondays with Michael Spencer: May 2, 2016

Note from CM: On Mondays, we are hearing some of what Michael Spencer had to say on the subject of eschatology — the last things. Today, here are three questions about “The Rapture,” answered by the iMonk, in which he shows that the doctrine is novel and has no biblical support. • • • 1. What exactly doContinue reading “Mondays with Michael Spencer: May 2, 2016”

Sundays in Easter with Henri Nouwen: May 1, 2016

Sundays in Easter with Henri Nouwen On the Eucharistic Life On the remaining Sundays in Eastertide, we are contemplating some words from Henri Nouwen on the eucharistic life. Our main source will be his book, With Burning Hearts: A Meditation on the Eucharistic Life. • • • Today, Nouwen focuses his attention on the part of the EmmausContinue reading “Sundays in Easter with Henri Nouwen: May 1, 2016”