I Have To Admit, I Don’t Get It–Part Two

Hear my prayer, O God;
Give ear to the words of my mouth. (Psalm 54:2, ESV)

You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it. (Matthew 21:22, NLT)

They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers. (Acts 2:42, The Message)

Hold a square dance night at church and prepare to have to push back more tables to make room for everyone. Having a chili cook-off? Set up twenty more tables than you were counting on. The guest preacher with a bestselling self-help book coming to your church this Sunday? Expect a packed house.

Announce a time of prayer, and all you’ll need is the toddler Sunday school room. And you’ll still have room for a couple of overflow tables of chili-eaters.

Are we not commanded to pray without ceasing? Is our Bible not filled with verses exhorting us to pray? Do we not see Jesus taking time away–often–to pray? Then why is prayer such an afterthought in American churches and for American Christians? I add the qualifier “American” because of the stories I hear firsthand of Korean Christians packing churches nationwide every morning for 5 am prayers. What is that they know that we don’t know? Or, more to the point, do they believe something we don’t believe?

Continue reading “I Have To Admit, I Don’t Get It–Part Two”

Is There Life On Other Planets?

So, scientists say they have discovered a planet that orbits a star in an Earth-like manner. And these scientists think that the newly-discovered planet may have both liquid water and an atmosphere, two things necessary to sustain life. Real estate agents have not put For Sale signs out on this planet just yet, but give them time.

The question I have for you is two-fold: Do you think there is life elsewhere in the universe? By “life,” I mean intelligent life, not just some microorganism.

And if there is, how will God relate to this life? Is sin the same for them as it is for us? Would the payment for sin cost God the same on their planet as it cost him on ours?

Before you answer, you might brush up on your Lewis. Review his Space Trilogy. And dig out your copy of The World’s Last Night: And Other Essays and read his essay titled, “Will We Lose God In Outer Space?” In it, Lewis thought that life elsewhere in the galaxy was at least a possibility. But at the same time he says that “those who do not find Him on earth are unlikely to find Him in space.”

Ok—your turn. Could there be life beyond our planet? Or are we alone in the universe?

Update From The Publisher

Howdy, iMonks! This is your friendly Internet Monk publisher stopping in to share a few of the fun goings-on here at the iMonastery. I hope all is well with you, and I cannot thank you enough for being a part of our community.

Many of you have written to me to ask how Denise Spencer is doing. She is doing as well as can be expected. Denise continues to attend her hospice-sponsored bereavement support group, and is working through books on grief that have been recommended to her. “I miss Michael so much,” says Denise, “both at work and at home. But God keeps reminding me of His nearness and His healing power.” Denise asks that you keep her in your prayers, as well as her children, Clay and Noel. And she is very grateful that you are concerned for her.

Continue reading “Update From The Publisher”

Tidying up before taking a break

By Chaplain Mike

For about a week or so, I will be taking my leave of the iMonastery and venturing out to do a few other important things. The eminently capable, immaculately dressed, and incomparably qualified Very Right Reverend Jeff Dunn, along with the rest of the team, will be leading you into thoughtful contemplation and discussion in my absence.

Top on the list is the first wedding in the Mercer household. Our second daughter will exchange vows with her hubby-to-be on Saturday. The whole clan from both sides will be invading, starting tomorrow night, and our house will resemble a dormitory for the next several days.

The plans call for an outdoor ceremony, so we are holding our collective breath for another bright and beautiful autumn day here in central Indiana. This dad will be playing both Minister and Father of the Bride, and there are no guarantees I won’t dissolve into a sentimental puddle the very moment I’m required to speak.

Continue reading “Tidying up before taking a break”

The New Liturgical Gangstas (2)

Today, we present our second installment in our renewal of IM’s popular feature, “The Liturgical Gangstas,” a panel discussion involving representatives from different liturgical traditions who will be answering questions regarding theology and church practice. Lord willing, the Gangstas will appear on the final week of each month to share with our IM audience.

Who are the Gangstas?

  • Father Ernesto Obregon is an Eastern Orthodox priest.
  • Father Joe Boysel is the rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Hudson, Ohio (AMiA). He was formerly a professor of Bible and Preaching at Ohio Christian University.
  • Dr. Wyman Richardson is a pastor of a Baptist Church in Georgia (SBC) and director of Walking Together Ministries, a resource on church discipline.
  • Alan Creech is a Roman Catholic with background in the Emerging church and spiritual direction. (Alan was unable to join us for this post.)
  • Rev. Angie Gage is an associate pastor in a United Methodist church in Arkansas.
  • Rev. William Cwirla is a Lutheran pastor (LCMS) and one of the hosts of the excellent podcast, The God Whisperers.
  • Rev. Daniel Jepsen is the senior pastor of Franklin Community Church, an evangelical non-denominational church.

Today’s Question: PASTORAL CARE AND VISITATION

We have had many posts on Internet Monk lamenting the decline in pastoral visitation and the overall practice of pastoral care in the church. In your tradition and church, how do you handle this aspect of ministry? What part is played by the ordained ministers, and what systems are set up in your church to make sure caring needs in the congregation are met?


Continue reading “The New Liturgical Gangstas (2)”

I have to admit: I don’t get it

By Chaplain Mike

This is all kind of off the top of my head, so take it for what it is — an impromptu rant.

OK, this may seem like a weird thing to talk about, but I’m going to anyway. I’m sure most people don’t even think about it; the status quo is simply accepted without question. But it has bugged me for years, and I have to just say it plainly and see what people think.

I don’t see why we need big churches.

I’m not saying it’s wrong to have a big church. It’s not a right vs. wrong issue. I’m not saying it’s bad to have a big church. It’s not a matter of good or bad. In most cases, I just don’t see the point.

I need someone to convince me otherwise. Because right now, I just don’t get it.

Continue reading “I have to admit: I don’t get it”

Open Mic: What Are You Hearing about Hell?

By Chaplain Mike

Yesterday’s Gospel story of Lazarus and the rich man raised some of the usual questions about the afterlife, the judgment, heaven and hell, and the eternal destinies of humans.

Today, over at Jesus Creed Scot McKnight is hosting some discussion the subject and I thought we might do the same. At this point, I would like to keep our discussion focused on two questions:

  1. What are you hearing in your church about final things? There is a sense that these subjects, especially the teaching of hell and eternal judgment, is out of vogue and not being emphasized. I’d like to know what your experience has been in your own faith communities.
  2. How has your thinking developed over the years regarding these doctrines? I’d like to hear about your journey of thinking about these things before God and what he says in the Bible has developed over the course of your Christian life.

Warning: this is one of those subjects where emotions can run hot, so to speak, so be careful.

  • Stick to the two questions above, and keep it civil.
  • Remember, this is a discussion, and although we may strongly disagree with what someone says, we want them to have the chance to say it. This is NOT the place for church discipline, it is an open forum discussion!
  • Don’t send links. If you have something you want to reference, give the information as fully as possible, and we can look it up.

And so (he said, trembling), let the discussion begin.

Spiritual Formation: The Plain, Hard Truth

By Chaplain Mike

And now for the bad news . . .

In the final analysis, there is only one thing that enables us to grow in Christ.

Few are willing to put it that starkly. In fact, I think there is so much false advertising out there about what actually enables people to change, develop personally, and become mature followers of Jesus, that we have become utterly confused and in some ways unable to talk honestly about it. We have replaced the plain, hard truth with hype and ineffective programs. The church’s teaching about the matter rarely hits the mark. Living in a “can-do” culture that has a technological answer for everything, we seek to apply that mentality and approach to spiritual formation, and guess what? It doesn’t work. It can’t.

We have talked about spiritual practices as “training exercises” which enable us to live a life “with Jesus,” developing our capacity to receive God’s gifts. While I believe it is essential to take a “train, not try” approach for reasons that have been spelled out in previous posts, even this is not enough to facilitate a genuine growth that will move us toward maturity. No, there is only one thing that will do that. And, surprise! you won’t find it listed on the purpose, vision, or strategy statement of any church I know about. You won’t find it incorporated into their program or materials. In fact, in many segments of the church, you won’t hear much about this at all. If I could summarize it one word, I would use the term . . .

Continue reading “Spiritual Formation: The Plain, Hard Truth”

“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart”

By Chaplain Mike

Today’s Gospel—
Luke 16:19-31

This story is the climax of a series of pericopes that represent a prominent theme in Luke’s Gospel. Many have called it “The Great Reversal.” This theme is introduced in Mary’s Magnificat (1:46-55) and finds its most succinct expression in Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain (6:20-21, 24-25):

Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
Blessed are you who are hungry now,
for you will be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.

…But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who are laughing now,
for you will mourn and weep.

Luke Timothy Johnson describes The Great Reversal theme like this:

In the “visitation of the people” by the Prophet, a great reversal is proclaimed and enacted. Human security and complacency are challenged by the Gospel. Those who are powerful, rich, and “have consolation” within society and who seek on that basis to “justify themselves” respond to this prophet with “testing” and rejection. They themselves are “cast down” or “lowered” and in the end, “cut off from the people.” In contrast, those ordinarily deemed unworthy, lowly, marginal, or even outcast, are accepted by God. They are “raised up” and become part of the restored people of God.

Here we find the significance of Luke’s language about “the rich” and “the poor” . . . The rich stand for those who have their consolation already in society and have no need of God’s consolation; they therefore reject the Prophet. The poor stand for all those who have been rejected on the basis of human standards, but are accepted by God; they in turn accept the Prophet. (The Gospel of Luke: Sacra Pagina, vol. 3)

Jesus’ story about the beggar Lazarus and the rich man is his most pointed parable about this Great Reversal. Continue reading ““Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart””

iMonk Classic: Confession

Classic iMonk Post
by Michael Spencer
Originally posted Oct 13, 2008

MOD Note: One spiritual practice commanded in Scripture and little emphasized today in evangelical practice is the confession of sins.

1John 1, on the other hand, assumes that this is one of the marks of genuine Christian faith: “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1Jn 1:8-9). In its original context, the contrast spelled out here was between the approach of the Gnostic heretics that were troubling John’s churches and those who were truly trusting Christ. The Gnostic approach? Claim absolute freedom from sin. The Christian approach? Confess our sins.

In today’s classic iMonk post, Michael Spencer exemplifies the proper Christian practice.

Confession
Some Christians love to talk about the sins of Obama or gays or the mainstream media, but get really animated when I suggest we need to talk about our own, even if they are listed in the Bible dozens of times. If the Gospel isn’t grabbing you by the real sins in your real life, just exactly what is the Gospel doing for you? Or you with it?

I don’t like the fact that I can give a really good talk on prayer when I rarely pray.

I don’t like it that I can read Matthew 5:23-24 and, as far as I can recall, never take a single step toward obeying it.

I don’t like that I can sin and then condemn someone else’s sin in almost the same breath.Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Confession”