Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Recommendation and Review: Making Senses Out of Scripture by Mark P. Shea

A large part of my ministry is involved in teaching Bible survey to high school students. Last year, I expanded that ministry to teaching an adult Bible survey course. Along the way, I’ve been on the lookout for resources that accomplish some of the important tasks involved in teaching an overview and basic understanding ofContinue reading “Recommendation and Review: Making Senses Out of Scripture by Mark P. Shea”

The Temptation to Quit

UPDATE: I’ve written several things convincing myself to stay. Here’s one of my favorites: Thomas Merton and the Greener Grass That Wasn’t. UPDATE II: Here’s another one: When Loving You is Killing Me. I suppose every person in ministry is strongly tempted to quit from time to time. Not quit as in “send out aContinue reading “The Temptation to Quit”

Stranger than Fiction: Lessons From The “Case” Against Tim Challies

Please have a seat, class. Today’s lecture isn’t on the printed syllabus. Every so often, something reeeeeeeeally interesting happens in the comments of the Reformed (truly or otherwise) blogosphere, and such an episode occurred at Justin Taylor’s blog over the past couple of days. To make an inexplicable story more simple, several commenters wanted toContinue reading “Stranger than Fiction: Lessons From The “Case” Against Tim Challies”

Tune In January 17th: Tim Challies Blog Tour Stops Here For Gossip, Brawling and Real Questions

I’m honored to be one of the stops on the “Tim Challies Blog Tour” promoting his new book, The Discipline of Discernment. I’ll be asking the questions and he’ll be answering me in Canadian, but I’ll get a translator. Tim and I probably don’t see eye to eye on a lot of subjects, but I’mContinue reading “Tune In January 17th: Tim Challies Blog Tour Stops Here For Gossip, Brawling and Real Questions”

Riffs: 01:02:08: Rocks Crying Out

UPDATE: There are many Joel Osteen posts at IM. Here’s one of the latest. Links will take you to others. Commenters whose comment amounts to “Jesus wouldn’t be blogging” should not be surprised that I do not post your comment. I don’t want to draw you into this abyss of sin. Slate Magazine’s Chris LehmannContinue reading “Riffs: 01:02:08: Rocks Crying Out”

Proverbs For Christianity’s Angry Young (and Old) Men

***Big Time Humor Alert*** Today, the Internet Monk Web Site ™ brings a special gift of proverbial, anecdotal and Zen-like wisdom as a gift for those angry young (and not so young) men who are burning down churches to make room for coffee shops. Put on some punk rock, light the incense sticks and turnContinue reading “Proverbs For Christianity’s Angry Young (and Old) Men”

Riffs: 01:01:08: Losing the Treasure of a Christ-Centered Assurance of Salvation

UPDATE: John H has a helpful Lutheran response. UPDATE II: A Lutheran view of Assurance. UPDATE III: Mark Shea comments on assurance in Calvinism and Catholicism. I think Mark’s experience with Calvinism is not very nuanced, but it’s on target. (Buy the Rosenbladt presentation.) Q. 1. What is your only comfort, in life and inContinue reading “Riffs: 01:01:08: Losing the Treasure of a Christ-Centered Assurance of Salvation”