Chaplainmike

The Backstories of the First Testament

The Return of the Chaos Monsters and Other Backstories of the Bible by Gregory Mobley Wm. B. Eerdmanns Pub. Co. (2012) * * * One of the liveliest, most intriguing and insightful books you will read on the Hebrew Bible is Gregory Mobley’s The Return of the Chaos Monsters. For some reason, perhaps because ofContinue reading “The Backstories of the First Testament”

The Big Picture of the Torah

In our studies of the First Testament this month, we will assume the canonical order of the Hebrew Bible, which differs from the order of the books in the Christian Old Testament. The Hebrew Bible is Tanakh, the three consonants being an acronymn for its three major divisions: TORAH (“LAW”) Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers DeuteronomyContinue reading “The Big Picture of the Torah”

The Hidden God Revealed

Truly, you are a God who hides himself, O God of Israel, the Savior. (Isa. 45:15) No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known. (John 1:18) * * * I love the posture and the expression on the faceContinue reading “The Hidden God Revealed”

iMonk on Interpreting Genesis 1

From To Be or Not to Be? Everybody thinks I should be a young earth creationist. I’m not. Why? by Michael Spencer (undated) * * * The young earth creationists believe that Genesis 1 is “literally” a description of creation. I do not. It is this simple disagreement that is the cornerstone of my objection.Continue reading “iMonk on Interpreting Genesis 1”

Saturday Ramblings 1.5.13

It’s a new year at the iMonastery, but we have the same problem as of old. Scraps gather during the week that we are unable to get to, and we tend to be rather lazy around here and let them pile up until the weekend when you arrive. Then we all rush around with ourContinue reading “Saturday Ramblings 1.5.13”

Craving Cool

“Building Congregations around Art Galleries and Cafes as Spirituality Wanes” Amy O’Leary, NY Times 12/29/12 * * * If we can’t have our megachurches, we’ll find another style that suits us. Amy Leary’s recent article in the New York Times shows that the spirit and principles of the church growth movement are alive andContinue reading “Craving Cool”

My Purpose Driven Life

To be honest, I really wasn’t listening that much to the message from our pastor on Sunday. That is, until he used the “P” word. “Something something something, and to know God’s purpose for your life.” Sigh. Here we go. Whenever most people talk about “God’s purpose for your life,” what they mean isContinue reading “My Purpose Driven Life”

Pete Enns: “Hey, Get Away from My Bible!“–Christian Appropriation of a Jewish Bible

Note from CM: Our friend Peter Enns gave permission to use the following piece, which was first published in January, 2009. Pete is currently on the faculty at Eastern University teaching courses in Old and New Testaments. His interests include Old Testament Theology, Biblical Theology, Wisdom Literature (esp. Ecclesiastes), the NT’s use of the OT, Second TempleContinue reading “Pete Enns: “Hey, Get Away from My Bible!“–Christian Appropriation of a Jewish Bible”

The Purpose of the First Testament

Why did the Jews compile sacred books together and form a canon of Scripture known as the Hebrew Bible or Tanakh? For what purpose did they put together what Christians have traditionally called the “Old Testament”? I believe they brought the canon of the Hebrew Bible to completion, at the end of a long process, because ofContinue reading “The Purpose of the First Testament”

2012 Post of the Year

I have no authority to confer awards, but I’d like to give one today. As I look back over 2012 and all that we wrote and received at Internet Monk, one particular post stands out. I, Chaplain Mike, did not write it. Nor did our gifted Abbott, Jeff Dunn. It was not produced by Martha,Continue reading “2012 Post of the Year”