Sunday with Walter Brueggemann We are not self-invented folks There is a mistaken notion that we are self-starters, individuals who “possess” capacity and worth. And we can make do and can do, if we try harder. Such a view belongs to American notions of success and progress. But it really doesn’t work. We cannot makeContinue reading “Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: We are not self-invented folks”
Author Archives: Chaplainmike
The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: August 10, 2019 — Lament Edition
• Sorry to emphasize such down notes today, but, as the CNN story says, “What a horrible week for America.” This has been an objectively awful week. Far from a sleepy end to the summer, the country is reeling from mass shootings that claimed 31 lives in Texas and Ohio, not paying enough attention toContinue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: August 10, 2019 — Lament Edition”
Romans 1-4: An Argument with the Weak (2)
These chapters are far from abstract theology and are instead pastoral theology for the church at Rome. The questions Paul both asks and addresses are questions Paul has heard time and again in his mission, and the questions are those either of Jewish opponents or more likely of fellow Jewish converts to Jesus. The questionsContinue reading “Romans 1-4: An Argument with the Weak (2)”
God’s Good Earth: The Case for an Unfallen Creation, by Jon Garvey, Chapter 11 – On Pain and Suffering
God’s Good Earth: The Case for an Unfallen Creation, by Jon Garvey, Chapter 11 – On Pain and Suffering We will continue our review of God’s Good Earth: The Case for an Unfallen Creation, by Jon Garvey. Today is Chapter 11 – On Pain and Suffering. In this chapter Jon intends to question the factualContinue reading “God’s Good Earth: The Case for an Unfallen Creation, by Jon Garvey, Chapter 11 – On Pain and Suffering”
The Priority of the Gospels
An ancient Syriac document, allegedly recounting the instruction of the Apostles, enjoins: “The apostles further appointed: At the conclusion of all the Scriptures let the Gospels be read, as being the seal of all the Scriptures and let the people listen to it standing upon their feet: because it is the Gospel of the redemptionContinue reading “The Priority of the Gospels”
Elissa Bjeletich: Contemplating the Incarnation
As we think this week about the incarnate Christ, here is a thought-provoking excerpt from an article by Elissa Bjeletich: Contemplating the Incarnation: Pilgrimage and Sunday of Orthodoxy • • • This is where it happened. When I thought of the Incarnation, I have always thought about how God took on flesh. He could notContinue reading “Elissa Bjeletich: Contemplating the Incarnation”
Monday with Michael Spencer: The Question Is God, the Answer Is Jesus
Monday with Michael Spencer The Question Is God, the Answer Is Jesus An article from another blog Michael authored: Jesus-Shaped Spirituality • • • “Anything that one imagines of God apart from Christ is only useless thinking and vain idolatry.” • Martin Luther It’s been a very interesting day. I can’t tell you much aboutContinue reading “Monday with Michael Spencer: The Question Is God, the Answer Is Jesus”
Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: On Telling Jesus Stories
Sunday with Walter Brueggemann On Telling Jesus Stories The church must endlessly tell its Jesus stories, because in these Jesus stories, we behold the glory of the Father, full of grace and truth. The imposition of holiness does not happen in large, grand, religious, magnificent ways. It happens where a son is welcomed home, whereContinue reading “Sunday with Walter Brueggemann: On Telling Jesus Stories”
The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: August 3, 2019
The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: August 3, 2019 • • • Three years away…on my “want” list now • • • Joshua Harris, post-Christian From CNN: A former pastor who wrote a bestselling book on traditional relationships has confirmed the end of his marriage, apologized for opposing LGBTQ rights and announced he is no longerContinue reading “The IM Saturday Monks Brunch: August 3, 2019”
Romans 1-4: An Argument with the Weak (1)
Paul’s polemic in Romans 1-4 with the Judge/Weak arises only because the Weak believe the path to moral transformation for the Strong can be achieved only by adopting and observing the Torah. Romans 1-8 occur then in two blocks: the argument against Torah observance as the path to moral transformation, and an argument in favorContinue reading “Romans 1-4: An Argument with the Weak (1)”
The Internet Monk Archives 