Chaplainmike

The Cruelest Month

Yesterday, the wind blew strong from the west, colder and more piercing as the day went by. The sky was a wild migration of stampeding clouds, many dark as slate and angry. Leaves blew everywhere. Color is thinning and soon the treetops will be as bare as an old man’s pate. All will be brown,Continue reading “The Cruelest Month”

Real Presence?

Comments now closed. My apologies to those who hold the following view. I don’t think your voice was fairly represented in our discussion earlier this week on the Lord’s Supper. I hope you were not offended, and that you will continue to participate in our ongoing conversation about this matter. Because I think your perspectiveContinue reading “Real Presence?”

What Is This Parable About?

On Monday, my pastor asked if I would like to preach this coming Sunday. I accepted his kind invitation, and have been thinking about the day’s Gospel text ever since. Would you be willing to help me in my preparation? If so, I’ll give you some information here, and then you can join in theContinue reading “What Is This Parable About?”

N.T. Wright’s “The Kingdom New Testament”

Tom Wright has now given us a fresh translation of the New Testament: The Kingdom New Testament: A Contemporary Translation. In the preface, Wright explains that this is a translation, not a paraphrase. However, he also explains that, since “Greek often goes quite easily into English, but not always,” translators must make decisions about howContinue reading “N.T. Wright’s “The Kingdom New Testament””

Creation Wars Update

Today, your faithful iMonk correspondent reports from the front lines of the “Creation Wars” about recent articles on issues related to science and Biblical interpretation. Duck and cover. • • • 1. October saw Peter Enns move his blog to the Patheos evangelical portal. Enns dived right in and wrote about the ongoing debate onContinue reading “Creation Wars Update”

Let’s Discuss…Open or Closed Communion?

Comments now closed. One of the differences between Christian groups with respect to the Lord’s Supper involves who is invited to participate in the meal. I have experienced many different practices in this regard. I have attended churches in which communion is completely open. “Everyone in this room is welcome to the Lord’s Table,” isContinue reading “Let’s Discuss…Open or Closed Communion?”

The Genius of an Art Full of Spiritual Vitality

Monday Merton Musings, Nov 7, 2011 The Genius of an Art Full of Spiritual Vitality All quotes are from The Seven Storey Mountain, by Thomas Merton One turning point in Thomas Merton’s life came at age 18, when he visited Rome. In The Seven Storey Mountain, he tells how he began touring churches throughout theContinue reading “The Genius of an Art Full of Spiritual Vitality”

Let the Saints Teach Us to Be Children

Today is the day many Christian traditions celebrate All Saints’ Day (some celebrated earlier last week). On the first page of our church bulletin this morning were these words: “All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. As November heralds the dying of the landscape inContinue reading “Let the Saints Teach Us to Be Children”

Close to the Fire

Gethsemani Journal 2011 (5) Here is the fifth and final installment of my journal from a five-day personal retreat at Gethsemani Abbey. • • • Friday, October 14 Martin Luther shows up in the most unexpected places. I arose at 5 am, showered, packed my bags and took them to the car. I attended LaudsContinue reading “Close to the Fire”

Walking through Rain and Desert

Gethsemani Journal 2011 (4) Part four of my journal from five days of quiet at Gethsemani Abbey. Thursday, October 14 Perfect! I had hoped for at least one rainy day while I was here so that I could go walking in the gray stillness. Yesterday, I had three brief conversations, the only ones I’ve hadContinue reading “Walking through Rain and Desert”