Chaplainmike

Liturgical Gangstas 5: “When Were You Saved?”

Welcome to IM’s popular regular feature, “The Liturgical Gangstas,” a panel discussion among different liturgical traditions represented in the Internet Monk audience. Who are the Gangstas? Father Ernesto Obregon is an Eastern Orthodox priest. Rev. Peter Vance Matthews is an Anglican priest and founding pastor of an AMIA congregation. Dr. Wyman Richardson is a pastorContinue reading “Liturgical Gangstas 5: “When Were You Saved?””

The Coming Evangelical Collapse (3): Good or Bad?

UPDATE: Great Minds Think Alike: Jared Wilson heard Tim Keller recently. Here’s the quote from Jared’s summary: Related to that, he predicted, in response to someone’s question in the Q&A time, that in one generation’s time, there won’t even be the nominal Christianity in the South that there is now. The megachurches will flounder andContinue reading “The Coming Evangelical Collapse (3): Good or Bad?”

Recommendation and Review: Return to Rome by Francis Beckwith

I’m going assume that you either know, or can find on the net, the basic story of who is Francis Beckwith and why he is a person of interest in the current evangelical-Roman Catholic encounter. Let’s just say that when one of the leading academic ethicists in evangelicalism and the President of the Evangelical TheologicalContinue reading “Recommendation and Review: Return to Rome by Francis Beckwith”

The Coming Evangelical Collapse (2): What Will Be Left?

2. What will be left after the evangelical collapse? a. An evangelicalism far from its historical and doctrinal core. Expect evangelicalism as a whole to look more and more like the pragmatic, therapeutic, church growth oriented megachurches that have defined success. The determination to follow in the methodological steps of numerically successful churches will beContinue reading “The Coming Evangelical Collapse (2): What Will Be Left?”

My Prediction: The Coming Evangelical Collapse (1)

I’m not a Prophet or a Prophet’s Son. I can’t see the future. I’m usually wrong. I’m known for over-reacting. I have no statistics. You probably shouldn’t read this. The “Gracious God” post depressed me. Part 1: The Coming Evangelical Collapse, and Why It Is Going to Happen Part 2: What Will Be Left WhenContinue reading “My Prediction: The Coming Evangelical Collapse (1)”

Riffs: John Macarthur on TBN

I’m not the usual blogosphere fanboy of John Macarthur. I appreciate the good contribution he made to my own life, especially right after seminary. Several of his books and talks are outstanding. I love his take on Church/State issues. (See his series on Titus.) I appreciate books like Ashamed of the Gospel and many others.Continue reading “Riffs: John Macarthur on TBN”

The Face of the Gracious God

UPDATE: My essay “Our Problem With Grace” deals with some of the issues critical commenters are raising. I recall that Lloyd-Jones said that you can generally be sure that you’ve preached the Gospel when you’re accused of going too far in the direction of grace. And just a few weeks ago, it was The GospelContinue reading “The Face of the Gracious God”

Links To and Out of The “True Church” Vortex

Catholic convert blogger Bryan Cross asks “Where is the visible Church Christ founded?” Bryan says a lot of good and truthful things. He’s a fine theologian and an excellent Roman Catholic apologist. If you are the person we’ve been discussing all week, remember: it’s this question that will drive you batty, so read at yourContinue reading “Links To and Out of The “True Church” Vortex”

Theology, Depression and the Unsolvable Problem of the Right Church

I’ve written another essay (March of 08) on this topic called “The Happy Enough Protestant.” I recommend it highly, but it doesn’t deal with depression. I am going to write rather directly to those of you who feel that you are experiencing some measure of mental anguish, anxiety and depression in regard to theology and,Continue reading “Theology, Depression and the Unsolvable Problem of the Right Church”

iMonk 101: The Christian and Mental Illness + Anti-Depressant Meds + The Boat in the Backyard

I’ve written quite a bit on the subject of mental illness/depression. In 2005 I did an entire series on The Christian and Mental Illness. In January of 07, I wrote about the issue of anti-depressant medication. One of my favorite essays from the past recounts how my dad’s depression affected my life: The Boat inContinue reading “iMonk 101: The Christian and Mental Illness + Anti-Depressant Meds + The Boat in the Backyard”