Author Archives: Chaplainmike

SBC Conservatism Vs Emergent Pragmatism: Round One

How dangerous is this man? Apparently he’s dangerous enough that Kentucky Baptists don’t want to take the chance of hearing what he has to say about evangelism and church growth. He doesn’t have anything to say on homosexuality that wouldn’t hurt someone (his words) and he’s not sure that those of other religions who becomeContinue reading “SBC Conservatism Vs Emergent Pragmatism: Round One”

Startle Us, O Lord: Jesus Talks To A Gay Man

Every so often the internet will provide you with something that you will never hear anywhere else. I’ve found it this morning, and I hope you will read and share it. It’s entitled “Jesus Talks To A Gay Man,” and it is from a remarkable post by Steve at Ragamuffin Ramblings. It is a retellingContinue reading “Startle Us, O Lord: Jesus Talks To A Gay Man”

Eugene Peterson: A Voice That Must Be Heard

I am always aware that those who read the Internet Monk may not realize that when you hear my voice, you are really hearing the voice of those who have influenced me. There is no one who has influenced me more than Eugene Peterson. There is a lot I could say about all of Peterson’sContinue reading “Eugene Peterson: A Voice That Must Be Heard”

Have We Said Too Much? (About Marriage, that is)

Recently, my daughter returned from a conference at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. She had a fabulous time, but she mentioned something unusual. She said that every public prayer contained a request for God to guide the conference participants in finding a spouse. This wasn’t the theme of the conference, but the conference wasContinue reading “Have We Said Too Much? (About Marriage, that is)”

I Just Couldn't Look Away: The Crazed, Cranky, Captivating Christianity of Dr. Gene Scott

I doubt that many Internet Monk readers watched or listened to Dr. Gene Scott. His passing this week made me sad, but it also made me reflect on how bland evangelicalism has become, and what a shot of hard whiskey Gene Scott was for the thirty years he broadcast his strange and wonderful program aroundContinue reading “I Just Couldn't Look Away: The Crazed, Cranky, Captivating Christianity of Dr. Gene Scott”

Fighting Words: What happens when we abandon the vocabulary of faith.

I was viewing the web site of a church a friend was visiting, when I saw the current sermon series was entitled “Finding the Sweet Spot in Your Spiritual Life.” Compulsory video clip of the pastor with a golf pro, borrowing the language of golf to try and communicate the message of the Christian life.Continue reading “Fighting Words: What happens when we abandon the vocabulary of faith.”

Does this help?: A simple statement about the purpose and inspiration of the Bible.

If you are concerned about my views on the Bible, please read this: Setting aside general revelation (creation, nature) and experience, everything we know about the Good News of God in Jesus Christ, we know from the Bible. In fact, it is entirely right to say that the Bible’s theme- its message- is the messageContinue reading “Does this help?: A simple statement about the purpose and inspiration of the Bible.”