Chaplainmike

iMonk: Discipleship as Polemicism

From a classic Michael Spencer post, Who and What Are Forming You?. From April 2007 * * * For a large portion of my recent evangelical journey, I have found myself wandering between three varieties of evangelicalism: Southern Baptist fundamentalism Evangelical Calvinism Generic contemporary evangelical revivalism …It’s occurred to me that at least two ofContinue reading “iMonk: Discipleship as Polemicism”

Saturday Ramblings 4.27.13

Please forgive the tardiness of this week’s Ramblings, iMonks. I am on the road, and where I’m staying does not have internet service. Can you imagine that? No internet! The only thing worse than that would be no Saturday Ramblings. This will have to be short, and hopefully sweet. Much thanks to Adam Palmer andContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 4.27.13”

Mule: Orthodoxy and Revival

Note from CM: One of our regular commenters goes by the handle, “Mule Chewing Briars.” I’ve been enjoying his blog lately; he writes at A Mule in the Chapter House. In some recent comments he’s made here and in the following post, I recognized a story with a trajectory similar to my own. I thinkContinue reading “Mule: Orthodoxy and Revival”

Another Look: A Very Real Fight

[This originally appeared in May of 2010. I feel like I am still in the ring fighting this battle, so I thought we would have another look at this topic. JD] It stood to reason that a struggle with the Devil meant a spiritual struggle … the notion of a physical combat was fit onlyContinue reading “Another Look: A Very Real Fight”

The Problem with Grandpa’s Church

After World War II, through the 1950’s and especially in the 60’s-70’s and since, America’s culture has been more and more dominated by youth and youth-oriented themes, fashions, preferences, and images. An entire “youth culture” was created and its energy has filled the land. Churches, especially those who have bought in to church growth philosophies,Continue reading “The Problem with Grandpa’s Church”

Relating to Augustine

A recent discussion in the blogosphere caught my attention, especially for the issues it raises for churches, pastors, and ministry leaders these days. It started with Derek Rishmawy’s post, “Who Are You Sleeping With?” My Conversation with Timothy Keller. Rishmawy describes going to the 2013 TGC conference and attending a breakout session with Dr. Keller onContinue reading “Relating to Augustine”

Wanted: An Adult Faith in a Youth Culture

It struck me the other day that one of the reasons I have returned to mainline religion is because it’s so, well, adult. Contrary to what I hear around me so often, I want my grandfather’s church. I know, I know… there are characteristics of that old, traditional church that are not desirable: many hadContinue reading “Wanted: An Adult Faith in a Youth Culture”

iMonk: The Jesus Disconnect (1)

Note from CM: Back in 2009, Michael Spencer some posts exploring what he called, “The Jesus Disconnect.” Here is an edited version of the first post in that series. * * * Nothing has impressed me more in my last few years of writing, reading and discussion than the disconnect the average Christian believer feels fromContinue reading “iMonk: The Jesus Disconnect (1)”

Rachel Hackenberg on Three Types of Churches

On her blog, Faith and Water, Rachel G. Hackenberg has offered an interesting perspective on how to look at the way different churches function: I am increasingly convinced that there are three kinds of churches — three prevailing characters of congregations, carrying implicit theological underpinnings — and that these three church types exist across denominations,Continue reading “Rachel Hackenberg on Three Types of Churches”

Andrew Perriman on “Becoming the Righteousness of God”

Note from CM: One blog I enjoy and learn from regularly is P.OST, Andrew Perriman’s site about “Evangelical theology for the age to come.” Andrew has combined theological studies and writing with pastoral and missional work in a wide range of contexts around the world. I find his writing extraordinarily stimulating. One good place to start toContinue reading “Andrew Perriman on “Becoming the Righteousness of God””