Author Archives: Chaplainmike

The Ecclesiastes Attitude

It is the tradition of this web site to hear my confessions, my struggles and my emotions. “Confessional” blogging on my part has touched hundreds of readers and convinced one or two that I am unfit to be in the ministry or even a professing Christian. So be it. This is what’s set on myContinue reading “The Ecclesiastes Attitude”

No Riffs: 11:14:07: Piper on Church Planting and Ministry to the Poor

John Piper has enough truth in this sermon to revolutionize evangelicalism—if anyone is really listening. Read it several times. It’s absolutely on target. Memorize those church planting statistics, young preachers/church planters. The connection between church planting, evangelism and ministry to the poor is a balance evangelicals need to embrace in a way that shapes everythingContinue reading “No Riffs: 11:14:07: Piper on Church Planting and Ministry to the Poor”

Credible Christianity for the Cultural Atheist

LINK: This is a bit of a follow up to last year’s (almost to the day) essay, “Do Chinese Students Need An American Jesus?” In his book Christianity’s Dangerous Idea, Alister McGrath discusses the relationship of church architecture and the modernistic sense of the absence of God. In reference to the “whitewashing” of churches followingContinue reading “Credible Christianity for the Cultural Atheist”

The Faith of a Suffering Servant

Today in chapel, one of my co-workers told his life story. That’s pretty common at our ministry, but this was anything but common. Doc [not his real name] came to us about three years ago, along with his new bride. Middle-aged and a recent Bible college graduate, looking for a beginning in ministry. Of course,Continue reading “The Faith of a Suffering Servant”

Sexual Freedom, Pullman’s Atheism and Christian Humanism

UPDATE: Stan Gutherie surveys components of the Christian response to Atheism. Some of my thoughts after reading The Atlantic Monthly’s feature story on The Golden Compass. Chataway cover’s the director’s response to the Atlantic Monthly’s article. There is no more important single distinction in theology than the difference between being God-centered and man-centered. After yearsContinue reading “Sexual Freedom, Pullman’s Atheism and Christian Humanism”

Catholic Questions Part 2: Horton, Sungenis, Justification and the Confusion Over Trent

The November 4th edition of the White Horse Inn was an interview of well-known Roman Catholic apologist Robert Sungenis. It is called “Roman Catholicism and Justification.” The MP3 is available free from WHIs OnePlace site, and I highly recommend it. (By the way, if you want to hear what it sounds like when a world-classContinue reading “Catholic Questions Part 2: Horton, Sungenis, Justification and the Confusion Over Trent”

Who’s On “The Next Billy Graham” This Season?

NOTE: I will not publish hateful, conspiratorial comments. You can critique, but be respectful. “You most faithful readers know that ultimately, I’m a fan of Mark Driscoll. Fan — can’t help it. Somebody has said that there isn’t a “Billy Graham” for 21st century Christianity, and I totally disagree — I think Driscoll is inContinue reading “Who’s On “The Next Billy Graham” This Season?”

A Big Announcement

Went to the post office this morning (where Crazy For God and an Exodus Commentary by Peter Enns were waiting for me) and got my mail. Last letter in the stack was from the Louisville Institute. It opened with the usual “Thanks for applying…..400+ applicants….lots of deserving people….” And so on… And then the secondContinue reading “A Big Announcement”