Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Sex and Power: An Irish Perspective on the Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church

Exactly a week ago, Chaplain Mike asked me if I had any insights I would like to share on the Catholic sex abuse scandals. I said I’d try and have something in by the end of the week, and I made some preliminary notes. Then I left them sitting there on top of my deskContinue reading “Sex and Power: An Irish Perspective on the Abuse Scandal in the Catholic Church”

Talk Like a Human Being, Please

Oh my, this is funny. Being “post-evangelical” means moving away from a culture, and cultures have their languages, cliches, and insider ways of communicating. Conforming to these verbal standards marks one as an insider and makes others feel reassured that we’re all on the same team. But after awhile, it can sound so lame. AndContinue reading “Talk Like a Human Being, Please”

iMonk: Ten Ways I Have Changed

A classic Michael Spencer post from April, 2008. A friend of mine recently said, “It sure seems that you’ve gone through a lot of phases during your time as a blogger.” I’m sure it seems that way, but most of that is an illusion of the blogging life. The people around me wouldn’t have anyContinue reading “iMonk: Ten Ways I Have Changed”

Sex and Power: What’s Up With Sovereign Grace Ministries?

I asked our friend Dee Parsons from The Wartburg Watch for an update on the scandals and troubles besetting the prominent neo-reformed organization Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM), a network of churches in North America and several countries around the world. TWW does an excellent job advocating on behalf of justice and compassion for victims of churchesContinue reading “Sex and Power: What’s Up With Sovereign Grace Ministries?”

The Scandal Of Shepherdless Flocks

They finished eating breakfast. Jesus: Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these other things? Simon Peter: Yes, Lord. You know that I love You. Jesus: Take care of My lambs. Jesus asked him a second time . . . Jesus: Simon, son of John, do you love Me? Simon Peter: Yes, Lord. You must surely know that I loveContinue reading “The Scandal Of Shepherdless Flocks”

Heresy: Theological Liberalism

Labels can be tricky, but earlier this month, Roger Olson wrote a helpful, clarifying post called, “Why I Am Not a ‘Liberal Christian.’”  Positioning himself as “non-fundamentalist,” he then goes on to distinguish between those who identify themselves as “progressive” Christians, who are evangelical, broadly conservative, and primarily interested in setting themselves apart from the fundamentalistContinue reading “Heresy: Theological Liberalism”

Schism: Is the Church under Judgment?

“If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.” (Nehemiah 1:8) “…it’s time for judgment to begin with God’s own household.” (1Peter 4:17) * * * Schism. The first recorded question a human being asked was, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 4:9). In case you are wondering, Cain was saying, “I amContinue reading “Schism: Is the Church under Judgment?”