Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Let’s Review: Some basic concepts at Internet Monk (1) — Post-evangelical

Let’s Review Some basic concepts at Internet Monk (1) — Post-evangelical I thought it might be a good time to review some basic concepts that have taken hold over the years here at Internet Monk. Some of these, of course, were introduced by the blog’s founder, Michael Spencer. Others come from Chaplain Mike, with thanksContinue reading “Let’s Review: Some basic concepts at Internet Monk (1) — Post-evangelical”

Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the coronavirus with Dr. Francis Collins

See this video for a discussion between Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Anthony Fauci on COVID-19.  Go and watch two people who know what they are talking about discuss this issue.  Thanks to the BioLogos Forum for the hat tip.  A couple of things I noted: Dr. Collins asks Dr. Fauci about the current stateContinue reading “Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the coronavirus with Dr. Francis Collins”

Wendell Berry: To care for what we know

• • • To care for what we know requires care for what we don’t, the world’s lives dark in the soil, dark in the dark. Forbearance is the first care we give to what we do not know. We live by lives we don’t intend, lives that exceed our thoughts and needs, outlast ourContinue reading “Wendell Berry: To care for what we know”

Mercy not Sacrifice (4): The Act that Counters Contempt

Mercy not Sacrifice (4): The Act that Counters Contempt We are thinking through Richard Beck’s illuminating book, Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. In our first post, we introduced his suggestion that disgust psychology can help explain the ways we view and treat other people. Do we view them through the lens of sacrificeContinue reading “Mercy not Sacrifice (4): The Act that Counters Contempt”

Views of God and the Corona Virus

Few things caused me to become more upset in the early days of the pandemic, than people stating their opinions about how God and the pandemic were related. The more I thought about it though, the more I realized that these views reinforce what I wrote back in February of 2019 when I asked: “WhatContinue reading “Views of God and the Corona Virus”

Mercy not Sacrifice (3): Of naked savages and crucified thieves

We are thinking through Richard Beck’s illuminating book, Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality. In our first post, we introduced his suggestion that disgust psychology can help explain the ways we view and treat other people. Do we view them through the lens of sacrifice — that is, with a purity filter that setsContinue reading “Mercy not Sacrifice (3): Of naked savages and crucified thieves”

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: Independence Day 2020 Edition

The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: Independence Day 2020 Edition • • 2020 is the perfect time to hear again the greatest speech in American history… Fellow-Countrymen: At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statementContinue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: Independence Day 2020 Edition”

IM Recommended Viewing: Hamilton

IM Recommended Viewing: Hamilton Legacy. What is a legacy? It’s planting seeds in a garden you never get to see I wrote some notes at the beginning of a song someone will sing for me America, you great unfinished symphony, you sent for me You let me make a difference A place where even orphanContinue reading “IM Recommended Viewing: Hamilton”

Wednesday with Michael Spencer: Just a guy with a life

Wednesday with Michael Spencer Just a guy with a life (excerpt from Chronicle of the Journey, 2008) I’m a fifty one year old guy whose days leading churches in his denomination are probably over, whose wife got burned out in the non-existent “spirituality” of 30+ years of Baptist church life and ministry, who has beenContinue reading “Wednesday with Michael Spencer: Just a guy with a life”