Chaplainmike

Quotes From The Fathers On Mercy That Might Enlighten—Or Offend—You

This is part two of a three part essay from Martha of Ireland exploring how love, justice and mercy all tie in to our salvation. Let’s take a look at what some Church Fathers had to say on the topic, and if we remember that justice, as well as charity, is also the foundation ofContinue reading “Quotes From The Fathers On Mercy That Might Enlighten—Or Offend—You”

How To Earn Your Salvation in 14 E-Z Steps!

We are going to do something we don’t normally do here today. We’re going to feature a three-part essay. Martha of Ireland has written another brilliant piece, but it needs to be chewed slowly. Part two will run around noon Eastern today, while part three will show up around four this afternoon. Dig in! Salvation-based,Continue reading “How To Earn Your Salvation in 14 E-Z Steps!”

MPT Posts on Church Discipline — and I Suggest a Better Way

NOTE: This post is not about a certain well-known pastor, even though it involves the church he leads. In the discussion that follows, I am not interested in having us talk about this pastor personally. So don’t. Please keep the conversation on the subject of church discipline itself, more broadly. We focus on these articlesContinue reading “MPT Posts on Church Discipline — and I Suggest a Better Way”

Misreading the Bible’s “Scientific Accuracy”

While we are on the subject of the Bible today, let’s look at a point of view quite contrary to that of John Polkinghorne, the renowned physicist whose book we are working through (see this morning’s post). Christian Post reports that “Pastor Rick Warren launched his ’40 Days in the Word’ biblical literacy campaign overContinue reading “Misreading the Bible’s “Scientific Accuracy””

“A Developing Understanding of the Divine Will and Nature”?

Open Mic: Evangelical Voters and Gingrich in S.C.

In our ongoing conversation about our faith and its relation to the 2012 election year events, I thought today we’d give the community a chance to discuss Newt Gingrich’s win in Saturday’s South Carolina Republican primary. Exit polls make it clear that the evangelical vote made a huge difference in this contest. Here are someContinue reading “Open Mic: Evangelical Voters and Gingrich in S.C.”

God’s Marvelous, Massive, Messy House

God’s Marvelous, Massive, Messy House Part 1: A Thousand-Year Foundation Diarmaid MacCulloch’s Christianity has an intriguing subtitle: “The First Three Thousand Years.” Of course, Christianity per se has only been in existence for two thousand of those years. However, it was built upon a foundation laid down in the millennium that preceded its emergence. SoContinue reading “God’s Marvelous, Massive, Messy House”

The Business and the Work

I am employed in the health care field. Working as a chaplain for a corporate entity has taught me a great deal, and has helped me reflect upon the make-up of the “corporate church” in America and the nature of its leadership. If you have read Internet Monk over the past two years, you knowContinue reading “The Business and the Work”

We Use Different Tools

A Letter for the Church Today (2) A Study of 2 Corinthians 10-13 Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standards; for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raisedContinue reading “We Use Different Tools”

Texts that Should Be Taught (NT)

I was thinking the other day, “What texts would I turn to if I as a preacher, teacher, or writer wanted to infuse some needed emphases into today’s churches?” Here’s a few that I came up with (not exhaustive, of course, but suggestive of some key themes): James 1:27. Pure and undefiled religion in the sightContinue reading “Texts that Should Be Taught (NT)”