Chaplainmike

Saturday Ramblings, March 28, 2015

Hello, imonks, and welcome to the weekend. Our good friends at Berkeley’s Center for the Study of Sexual Culture [they of the queering agriculture fame] have finally updated their seminar offerings. First up is a study what a couple of video games say about Native American culture. Close-reading Assassin’s Creed 3 and Assassin’s Creed: Liberation, this paperContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings, March 28, 2015”

The Curse of Knowledge – Part 2

Last week I listed off some of theological beliefs that I had come to over the years, and described how that made if difficult for me to find a church. This week I wanted to respond to a number of the insightful comments that I received and carry on the conversation. As usual my FridaysContinue reading “The Curse of Knowledge – Part 2”

Merton on Humility

Lord, You have taught us to love humility, but we have not learned. We have learned only to love the outward surface of it — the humility that makes a person charming and attractive. We sometimes pause to think about these qualities, and we often pretend that we possess them, and that we have gainedContinue reading “Merton on Humility”

A Desperate Measure?

Note from CM: We didn’t have enough strong opinions expressed yesterday(!), so I thought I’d start a discussion on something that’s happening here in the heart of the great Midwest. I don’t normally devote much space to political debates, but since this one is specifically “Christian” in origin and intent, why not? No, I’m not spoiling forContinue reading “A Desperate Measure?”

Damaris Zehner: Some Thoughts on Artificial Birth Control

This is such a divisive topic. I’ve tried for years to write about it and haven’t found the courage or the focus. Here’s my claim: I don’t like artificial birth control. I think it is spiritually, physically, and socially harmful. However, I don’t want to write a diatribe against it or try to persuade peopleContinue reading “Damaris Zehner: Some Thoughts on Artificial Birth Control”

Music Monday: There are years and there are Years (part 2: 2015)

In 2015, I’m looking forward to a great year in music. As I said last week, it would be hard to overestimate how much music means to me and how the songs and albums I listen to each year accompany and shape my life. Michael Spencer loved music and wrote about it or spoke aboutContinue reading “Music Monday: There are years and there are Years (part 2: 2015)”

Sundays with Michael Spencer: March 22, 2015

Note from CM: We are drawing near to the fifth anniversary of Michael Spencer’s death. Each Sunday this year we are re-posting some of his encouraging, challenging words. The following is excerpted from a piece he wrote in March 2008. • • • I’m not a literature scholar, but I play one in the classroom several hours aContinue reading “Sundays with Michael Spencer: March 22, 2015”

Saturday Ramblings, March 21, 2015

Hello imonks, and welcome to SPRING!!!!! Ready to ramble? Last week’s post just did not have enough silliness, so we are doubling up this week. You don’t mind, do you? March Madness has begun! How’s your bracket? Yeah, mine too… Indianapolis is hosting the Final Four, and the biggest hotel in town just installed a 165Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings, March 21, 2015”

The Curse of Knowledge

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2:16-17 – NIV I know too much. My theologicalContinue reading “The Curse of Knowledge”

A Strange and Awesome Conclave

A Strange and Awesome Conclave Inside the kingdom of night I witnessed a strange trial. Three rabbis, all erudite and pious men, decided one winter evening to indict God for having allowed his children to be massacred. An awesome conclave, particularly in view of the fact that it was held in a concentration camp. But whatContinue reading “A Strange and Awesome Conclave”