Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Another Look: A Journey…to Wonder

First posted August 24, 2010 I have spent my adult life primarily in Bible-believing, non-denominational church settings. I experienced a conversion during the “Jesus Movement” of the late 60’s and early 70’s. I went forward during an invitation in a Southern Baptist church. Got dunked. Our youth group was serious about Bible study. We attendedContinue reading “Another Look: A Journey…to Wonder”

Another Look: A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit

“A doctrine has practical value only as far as it isprominent in our thoughts and makes a difference in our lives. By this test the doctrine of the Holy Spirit as held by evangelical Christians today has almost no practical value at all. In most Christian churches the Spirit is quite entirely overlooked. Whether HeContinue reading “Another Look: A.W. Tozer on the Holy Spirit”

What I Appreciate about the Charismatic Movements

I don’t want to leave our discussion of charismatic theology and practice without offering some words of appreciation for what I have gained and ways I think the church has benefited from its influence. Again, keep in mind that my experience is primarily with the “second wave” of charismatic renewal that blossomed in the 1960’sContinue reading “What I Appreciate about the Charismatic Movements”

My Journey alongside the Spirit-filled

I have a distinctly non-Pentecostal/Charismatic/Third Wave Christian heritage. (For the sake of easier reading, these three waves of “Spirit-filled” movements will be simply called “charismatic”  in the rest of the post) The steps of my ecclesiastical journey look like this: United Methodist (before charismatic influence) — Southern Baptist — dispensationalist Bible college — traditionally mainlineContinue reading “My Journey alongside the Spirit-filled”

iMonk Classic: A Growing and Awkward Silence

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Undated Note from CM: This is an older piece — from the early to mid-2000’s —  by Michael Spencer in which he recognizes and laments some of the changes that had taken place in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement over the years in which he encountered it. Like me, Michael firstContinue reading “iMonk Classic: A Growing and Awkward Silence”

Saturday Ramblings 6.23.12

Greetings, sports fans. Welcome to the in-mourning edition of Saturday Ramblings. Why are we in mourning? The Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the godless Miami Heat Thursday in the NBA Finals. It was hard for the Thunder to handle Miami’s “Big Three:” LeBron James, Duane Wade, and the refs. Well, there is one consolation. Soon,Continue reading “Saturday Ramblings 6.23.12”

More Like Fruit that Grows than Fire that Falls

“Signs and wonders, miracles and mighty works are certainly part of the story, yes, an essential part of the biblical story and its continuation and outworking in the Christian life; but out of context, apart from God’s revelation of himself in Jesus, severed and then removed from their organic positionings in the intricate and detailedContinue reading “More Like Fruit that Grows than Fire that Falls”

Are You Experienced?

Have you ever been experienced? (Jimi Hendrix, 1967) We’ve been talking about religious experiences this week. The good, the bad, the ugly. Some want to write off all experiences as false and misleading. Others cling to miracles and touchy-feely stuff as the point of contact for their faith. Me? I’m all messed up. I wasContinue reading “Are You Experienced?”