Chaplainmike

The Rose

Courtesy of Trevin Wax, but from a sermon by the inimitably wonderful Matt Chandler: Pastor Matt Chandler gave this illustration during his sermon at a recent Desiring God conference. I think this illustration powerfully communicates the difference between moralism and the Christian gospel. During my freshman year of college, I sat next to a 26-year-oldContinue reading “The Rose”

My Gear (2)

Just in case you haven’t picked up: this is a chance for readers to comment on things that are meaningful to them in spiritual practice. No one is being told they are a bad Christian if they don’t see Jesus in the toast. Human beings aren’t quite as unattached to matter as some of ourContinue reading “My Gear (2)”

My Gear (Part 1)

From left to right: A custom made metal cross given to me as a gift many years ago in high school by my good friend and mentor Tom Meacham. The cross is empty and says, “He is Alive!” Tom was my introduction to Anglicanism, C.S. Lewis, all things Inter-Varsity and many good times.

Riffs: 04:02:09: The Episcopal Church Persecutes The Oppressed Muslim-Christian Minority

UPDATE II: Creech has sold over $220 of beads, string and trinkets since I lost my salvation. You people are awesome. His kids may be able to have shoes for Easter. UPDATE: Humor on board. Beware if not using proper gear. In a shocking demonstration of intolerance toward those whom God has just made differently,Continue reading “Riffs: 04:02:09: The Episcopal Church Persecutes The Oppressed Muslim-Christian Minority”

The Evangelical Untouchables 2: Seeker Sensitivity

UPDATE: Darrell Young’s post is now included. Read it! The Evangelical Untouchables are seven diverse evangelicals who will give us a window into what’s happening in evangelicalism today. Who are the Evangelical Untouchables? Michael Patton is the director of Reclaiming the Mind Ministries and is one of the teachers on The Theology Program. Tony KummerContinue reading “The Evangelical Untouchables 2: Seeker Sensitivity”

Thoughts After Doing the Math

I’m not very good at math, and I’m worse at being a Jesus follower, but even a stopped clock is right twice a day. I starting doing some personal math this morning as I started my day, and I made a discovery. I could no longer deny that a lot of things add up inContinue reading “Thoughts After Doing the Math”

Open Mic at the iMonk Cafe: The Ironies of Evangelicalism

After spending the day learning that my Alan Creech ad has deprived me and thousands of others of their salvation (thanks a lot Alan), I’m rather overwhelmed with the ironies of evangelicals in general and the neo-Reformed in particular. (Yes, Virginia, there are neo-reformed.) So here today’s somewhat sophisticated open mic question: What are someContinue reading “Open Mic at the iMonk Cafe: The Ironies of Evangelicalism”

iMonk 101: Jesus, Joel and The Hard Parts of the Gospel

From February of 2005. I’ve never reprinted this one and it’s one of the most “Jesus shaped” essays I’ve written. I have renamed it. It was originally called “Read It Again…And Don’t Skip The Hard Parts.” Let’s be honest. A lot of Christians have no idea what to do with the Gospel accounts of Jesus’Continue reading “iMonk 101: Jesus, Joel and The Hard Parts of the Gospel”

How Many Different Kinds of Pastors Are There?

Part II of my thoughts about Gillispie and your pastor. I just got a bit carried away. (Read in best grumpy old man’s voice.) Gather round the ol’ Internet Monk, you young whipper snappers. What the heck have you kids done with the pastor? No, not where did you tie him up, but what didContinue reading “How Many Different Kinds of Pastors Are There?”

The iMonk on “The God Whisperers” Talking CEC

I recently did an interview with the guys at The God Whisperers, an awesome Lutheran theology podcast that you can hear on Pirate Christian Radio. We talked Coming Evangelical Collapse and lots of other things. I had a great time and it’s one of my favorite discussions. Here’s the site and it runs on QT.