Author Archives: Chaplainmike

The Finding of the Oldest Human Skull Changes Evolution Science

The Finding of the Oldest Human Skull Changes Evolution Science According to this article the recent discovery of a 3.8 million-year-old cranium (skull without the lower jaw) is changing the view of how early hominin species evolved – and how they led to humans.  The previous view had Australopithecus anamensis (dated between 4.2m and 3.9mContinue reading “The Finding of the Oldest Human Skull Changes Evolution Science”

Let’s Discuss: A Job Description for a “Senior Pastor”

Note from CM: Thanks to RDavid, who commented yesterday and brought our attention to Scot McKnight’s post about the job description set forth at Willow Creek Community Church for their new Senior Pastor. Here’s the link: Willow Creek, What’s a Pastor? As most of you know, I consider Scot a mentor and friend, and IContinue reading “Let’s Discuss: A Job Description for a “Senior Pastor””

Tuesday with Michael Spencer: Our Little Parades

Tuesday with Michael Spencer Our Little Parades “A Real Church for Real People.” “A warm, loving fellowship of people who care about you!!” “Come hear practical, spirit-anointed messages by a man of God.” “Continuous Revival!!” “A Church with Christ at Heart and You in Mind.” “Such and Such Church: Where You Matter.” “People Being TransformedContinue reading “Tuesday with Michael Spencer: Our Little Parades”

Another Funeral Rant

Another Funeral Rant I’ll never get it as long as I live. Maybe it’s as simple as a difference in personalities, but I still can’t quite fathom it. Why is it so hard for some pastors to express sympathy and break out of their ministerial routines when they officiate funeral services? I attended a serviceContinue reading “Another Funeral Rant”

Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: An Artistic Rendering of Life

Sunday with Walter Brueggemann An Artistic Rendering of Life For the work of teachers, preachers, and interpreters, an artistic rendering of life is now an urgent responsibility, not only because of the character of the text but because of our social-cultural-moral circumstance. The community gathered around this text (in church, in synagogue, in religion department)Continue reading “Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: An Artistic Rendering of Life”

Saturday Brunch, September 14, 2019

Hello, friends, and welcome to the weekend. Part of this post actually came out yesterday. I apparently scheduled it for the wrong date. I’ve been feeling light-hearted this week, so most of this post is in the same vein. Hope you don’t mind my silliness. Let’s start with the sports. The NFL season got underContinue reading “Saturday Brunch, September 14, 2019”

Wendell Berry: If we have become…

Wendell Berry If we have become… If we have become a people incapable of thought, then the brute-thought of mere power and mere greed will think for us. If we have become incapable of denying ourselves anything, then all that we have will be taken from us. If we have no compassion, we will sufferContinue reading “Wendell Berry: If we have become…”

The Lutheran Church and Creation Days

The Lutheran Church and Creation Days The Christian Post has an article that notes “The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod passed a resolution at their convention affirming the belief that God created the Earth ‘in six natural days.’”  The article is commented on in Jim Kidder’s blog “Science and Religion: A View from an Evolutionary Creationist”.   TheContinue reading “The Lutheran Church and Creation Days”

Wednesday with Michael Spencer: Rerun

Wednesday with Michael Spencer Rerun (from 2009) He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others with contempt: ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax-collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, “God, I thankContinue reading “Wednesday with Michael Spencer: Rerun”