Chaplainmike

Looking For The Jesus Connection: How did Jesus Fight the "Culture War?"

Information about Justice Sunday at Highview Baptist Chruch can be found at the Lexington Herald Leader. Baptist Press is covering the same story, with a Q&A as well. And for irony’s sake, this story is on the same page. More recent coverage is here. I’m pretty good at seeing connections. I took the Graduate RecordContinue reading “Looking For The Jesus Connection: How did Jesus Fight the "Culture War?"”

The iMonk and Calvinism Q&A

Q: Are you a Calvinist? A. I prefer to not be called a Calvinist. There might be certain situations where I would answer to that term, but it would be rare. Q. Why are you no longer a Calvinist? A. As long as I have been a Calvinist, I’ve had to explain what the termContinue reading “The iMonk and Calvinism Q&A”

The Best Show On Television: Echoes of The Fall and Glimpses of Grace in "House, M.D."

It’s major confession time. I have a TV habit. I think it started with the X-Files, which Denise and I started watching every week about the middle of its run. We watched and loved Millennium, and a short-lived series called Brimstone. We’ve always had at least one regular series we try to catch each weekContinue reading “The Best Show On Television: Echoes of The Fall and Glimpses of Grace in "House, M.D."”

In the Classroom: Three Stories, Othello and A Christian Approach To Literature

In my AP English IV class, one of my most difficult tasks is teaching students how to read, think and analyze literature as Christians. There are several reasons for the resistance. Laziness. A feeling that the classics are irrelevant. Senioritis. (A very real disease) And one that concerns me most of all: the belief thatContinue reading “In the Classroom: Three Stories, Othello and A Christian Approach To Literature”

Christian Humanism: Beginnings

When it comes to ultimate reality and our humanity, there are really very few options. If there is no God, there is no such thing as the “human” in the classically Judeo-Christian sense. There is an existential human, thrown into existence and forced to determine his own identity by choices that are, ultimately, absurd. ThereContinue reading “Christian Humanism: Beginnings”

I'm Not Like You: An Apologia to My Readers (Calvinists especially)

My Calvinistic and Reformed friends. If we are still on speaking terms, I need to say something to you. I am not like you. That’s not an attitude of condescension, it’s just a fact that I need to bring to the front of our relationship. You are writing me letters and notes about N.T. Wright,Continue reading “I'm Not Like You: An Apologia to My Readers (Calvinists especially)”

The River is Deep; The River is Wide: How I Made My Peace With The Roman Catholic Church

NOTE: This piece is similar to an essay on Catholicism I wrote two years ago, but the differences are significant. Read them both. There has been some evolution in the meantime. My apologies to the Catholic bashers who will get upset at this piece. Maybe you shouldn’t read it. I was born in 1956, soContinue reading “The River is Deep; The River is Wide: How I Made My Peace With The Roman Catholic Church”

Priceless BHT Comment

BHT Fellow Judson posted: “I just received a recorded phone call from my pastor inviting me to attend Easter Sunday.” Lurker Eric replied with this gem: “Press 1 if you will be attending the Traditional Easter Sunrise Service to be held in the (insert local Jr. College stadium here).” “Press 2 if you will beContinue reading “Priceless BHT Comment”

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’ ministry. What does it mean? What does it have to do with evangelism, church growth and “having a great life now?”

Looney Tunes: The Whacked Out, Whipped Up, Wholly Scary Theology of the Praise and Worship Movement

In our journey back through the IM archives, we must deal with the Monk’s contradictory attitude towards contemporary Praise and Worship music. Does he hate it? If so, why does he have a warehouse of the stuff at the house? Why is he listening to it, even as he types? The answer, my faithful readers,Continue reading “Looney Tunes: The Whacked Out, Whipped Up, Wholly Scary Theology of the Praise and Worship Movement”