Author Archives: Chaplainmike

Coffee Cup Apologetics: Why I Am A Christian: Ten Reasons

UPDATE: Here is the Peter Kreeft material on the resurrection that I refer to in this post and podcast. I have several apologetics presentations that have developed here at my ministry setting. I’m going to do some of them as posts and podcasts. I’ll call the series “Coffee Cup Apologetics.” Here is “Why I AmContinue reading “Coffee Cup Apologetics: Why I Am A Christian: Ten Reasons”

Who and What are Forming You?

Every time I feel like I have lost my way in the Christian life, I find myself back looking at monasticism, and the lessons I learned in two decades of reading Thomas Merton. I’m not attracted to Catholicism, but I am very much attracted to the tradition of self-conscious, disciplined spiritual formation into a discipleContinue reading “Who and What are Forming You?”

Review: “Yup. Nope. Maybe.” and “Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat?” by Stephen James and David Thomas

After reading Stephen James’ and David Thomas’s twin book excursion into popular complementarianism, “Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat?” and “Yup. Nope. Maybe,” I’m ready to say that complementarians at least write more interesting, entertaining and readable books than egalitarians. Here are two books- don’t read just one- that explore the relationship between theContinue reading “Review: “Yup. Nope. Maybe.” and “Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat?” by Stephen James and David Thomas”

All the Little Reasons That Matter Too Much: Thoughts on Christian Unity

When you’ve been in the same ministry for fifteen years, experiences tend to repeat themselves. It’s deja vu, only for real. I’m going to tell you about one of those experiences. New staff are always excited about being in Christian service with other believers. Sometimes in those first few weeks, they will look me up.Continue reading “All the Little Reasons That Matter Too Much: Thoughts on Christian Unity”

iMonk 101: How Religious Parents Royally Screw Up Their Children

iMonk 101 is a selection of essays from the past five years of IM. From the Internet Monk archives, here’s one of the most popular pieces I’ve ever written: How Religious Parents Royally Screw Up Their Children. This is one of the few iMonk 101 pieces that I wouldn’t change at all. I still feelContinue reading “iMonk 101: How Religious Parents Royally Screw Up Their Children”

Hunger and Thirst After (Christ’s) Righteousness

And that’s about it, friends. Be glad in God! I don’t mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don’t mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry — so here goes. Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested inContinue reading “Hunger and Thirst After (Christ’s) Righteousness”

Review and Recommendation: Samson and the Pirate Monks by Nate Larkin

It’s a great book that needs a better title. Seriously good book. The title has gotta go. Nate Larkin’s Samson and the Pirate Monks is a five star book. As far as men’s books go, it may be one of the best books I’ve ever read, far surpassing most of what comes out of theContinue reading “Review and Recommendation: Samson and the Pirate Monks by Nate Larkin”

A Response to Roger (Questions on my review of “The Truth War”)

“Roger” is a co-worker who asked several questions about my review of Dr. John MacArthur’s “The Truth War.” I’d like commenters to suggest good books on postmodernism and the emerging church. Thanks. Roger asked me for complete definitions of postmodernism and the emerging church. That’s a lot of reading, listening and work, Roger. There areContinue reading “A Response to Roger (Questions on my review of “The Truth War”)”