Update on the Creation Wars

By Chaplain Mike

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I’ve been too busy with truly important matters, like work and family and sharing in the grief of friends, to get back to this subject for awhile, but folks, we’ve got to talk.

A few weeks ago I posted a video (no longer available for viewing), produced by BioLogos, featuring Dr. Bruce Waltke, one of the foremost evangelical Old Testament scholars in the world. In that video, Waltke appealed to the church to stay engaged in the discussion when it comes to science and particularly the subject of evolution.

Here is the commentary from the BioLogos blog about what Dr. Waltke said:

In this video conversation Bruce Waltke discusses the danger the Church will face if it does not engage with the world around it, in particular with the issue of evolution, which many evangelicals still reject.

Waltke cautions, “if the data is overwhelmingly in favor of evolution, to deny that reality will make us a cult…some odd group that is not really interacting with the world. And rightly so, because we are not using our gifts and trusting God’s Providence that brought us to this point of our awareness.”

We are at a unique moment in history where “everything is coming together,” says Waltke, and conversations—like those initiated by BioLogos—are positive developments. “I see this as part of the growth of the church,” he says. “We are much more mature by this dialogue that we are having. This is how we come to the unity of the faith—by wrestling with these issues.”

Waltke points out that to deny scientific reality would be to deny the truth of God in the world. For us as Christians, this would serve as our spiritual death because we would not be loving God with all of our minds. It would also be our spiritual death in witness to the world because we would not be seen as credible.

While Christians may still disagree with one another on some issues, Waltke emphasizes that it is important that we are really interacting in a serious way—and trusting God as truth. Testing these things but holding fast to that which is good will bring greater understanding and unity among Christians.

If we don’t do that, Waltke cautions, we are going to die. If we refuse to engage with the greater cultural/scientific dialogue, we may end up marginalized and that would be a great tragedy for the Church.

I commended Dr. Waltke for his sensible, courageous words. The church cannot hide its head in the sand. We cannot merely stick our fingers in our ears and cry, “False! False!” whenever the concept of evolution is discussed.

If certain groups of Christians doubt that the evidence leads to the almost universally accepted conclusions of the scientific community, I suggest that we should be encouraging believers to pursue scientific vocations, to gain credibility by practicing honest accountable research, to do the hard work of coming up with compelling alternative models, and to make their case in the public arena.Continue reading “Update on the Creation Wars”

A Perfect Life Or A Perfect God?

Years ago, I remember hearing Derek Prince during a radio broadcast tell of a moment in his ministry when God revealed to him that his ideas of perfection were something other than divine. Prince, a somewhat decorous Englishman, was ministering with his wife in a remote tribal village when its people, mostly naked, broke into song and dance as an expression of thanksgiving to God. Initially, the event offended him. Surely God could not be pleased with such uncontrolled exuberance – especially unclad exuberance.

Nevertheless, time stood still for Prince as a flash of revelation flooded through him and he realized his ideas of Christian perfection, whether in modes of worship or anything else, were born out his culture rather than intimate fellowship with Perfection Himself. In that moment, Prince threw off his long-held cultural constraints and began to dance with abandon.

The story has made me re-evaluate my ideas on a fairly regular basis. Born a perfectionist in the traditional sense, I naturally enjoy having every ‘T’ crossed and every ‘I’ dotted. I like things black and white, neat and tidy, safe and secure in every sense. (I will even admit to initially coming to Christ out of a desire to be perfectly compliant rather than a realization of my profound destitution without Him.)

I could categorize my spiritual life into three phases thus far: a pagan era search, a Christian culture hop and finally, a panting and desire for Perfection Himself.Continue reading “A Perfect Life Or A Perfect God?”

Our Dangerous God

Two and a half years years ago a friend of mine stepped forward in our Sunday morning service to share a message he had wrestled with for weeks. It was not a message he was excited to share, but knew that God was compelling him to do so. The word he shared that morning changed my life. God used this as a sledgehammer to shatter all that I thought was good and right in my life. This was the Master Potter taking the clay into his hand, squashing it, and starting over. The Potter is not finished with me yet–will he ever be before the resurrection?–and this word continues to be a tool he is using to shape me.

We often repeat the line that “Aslan is not a safe lion.” Of course he’s not. But how many of us actually want to encounter Aslan in all of his un-safeness? Aren’t we really more comfortable just reading about lions, then putting the book away where it can’t find us, claw us, scar us? We are much more at home with a safe God–one who can be contained in Seven Secrets or Five Principles. One who wants to do nice things for us all day long, like keep the rain away while we hang out the wash. Do any of us really–really–want to meet God, as he knows himself to be, face-to-face? Do we want to hug a God who is an all-consuming fire?Continue reading “Our Dangerous God”

Found: A Gospel-Centered Church

We frequently take shots here at the home of the iMonk at churches who have abandoned the Gospel for a message of self-help, or of prosperity, or of how to never again have a bad hair day. And we will continue to do so. Why? It is our calling to do so. And it’s fun. What other reason do we need?

So when I come across a church service where everything–and I mean everything–is centered solely on the Gospel, it really stands out to me. That was the case this past Sunday when I was in Ohio visiting family. My 18-year-old niece was being baptized and, since I was in town, asked if I could come. (How could I refuse?) So Sunday morning I ventured to Middletown to The Oaks, a fairly new, independent church sharing a building with a very old United Methodist congregation.

This is not a commercial for The Oaks, although I could probably do a pretty decent one after just one visit. It is just a small round of applause for a group of believers who, at least for one Sunday (maybe every Sunday–I don’t know) set aside any silliness and focused on Jesus. In everything they did, the spotlight was on Jesus. The music was led by two young men, one with an acoustic guitar and the other with a mandolin.* They did some hymns rearranged for these instruments, and some newer songs that fit this sound as well. All of the songs were about Jesus. Then the message–about Jesus. Then communion–about Jesus. Then five baptisms (in a cattle trough!) with the testimonies of those being baptized–about Jesus. The whole service was about Jesus.Continue reading “Found: A Gospel-Centered Church”

Mere Churchianity Update

I just got some very exciting news: The release date for Michael Spencer’s Mere Churchianity has been moved up from September 15 to June 15. Waterbrook, a division of Random House, has seen the presales–many of which I am sure are coming from the iMonk community–continue to be strong. An eBook version should be available at the same time as the print version of the book. The fact that they are moving up the release date shows how much they believe in this title.

We are trying to find some fun and unique ways to promote the release of Mere Churchianity. There is no more creative bunch around than the iMonk folk. What are some ideas we can employ to let people know they need to stop everything on Tuesday, June 15, run to their local bookstore, buy a copy of Michael’s book, and read it? Then go buy ten more copies to give away. No idea is too crazy. (Well, actually many of your ideas are too crazy, but I think it is too late to change you all now.)

We will be posting the first chapter here soon, just to whet your appetite. Once again, I have read the entire manuscript, and you will not be disappointed. This is vintage Michael Spencer. Oh, there are some pastors-as-CEOs who will not be happy. As I said, it is vintage Michael.

The Family, Part Three

A trilogy of poems by Chaplain Mike.

III. The Elder

Duty, that’s the word–
Nothing less.
Best effort at all times, no matter what.
Keep at it, never give up.
First to the task
And last to lay it down.
Don’t let anyone outwork you.
Also: expect maximum effort
From those under your charge.
Don’t settle for less.
Set the bar high
And keep short accounts.
Be the best.
Father will be proud.

Fool, that’s the word–
Family’s shame.
Never cared for anyone but himself.
Gave up before he began.
Refused to give a bit of effort,
Yet wanted all the benefits.
Unreliable slacker!
Miserable deadbeat!
And then he had the nerve
To spit in father’s face,
Demanding all that he “deserved”
From father’s hard earned wealth
To drink and whore it all away.
He is dead to me!

Disgrace, that’s the word–
Unacceptable lapse.
Where is judgment?
Where is sense?
What strange spirit has overcome
This man who mentored me?
Honor belongs not to a fool
Nor reward to him who offends!
How can this alien show his face,
And father not recoil?
Yet now the music starts,
Dancing, feasting, friends.
I cannot stay, I cannot speak.
Where will this all end?

The Family, Part Two

A trilogy of poems by Chaplain Mike.

II. The Father

A hundred years have passed, or so it seems,
Since news was brought to me–oh father’s joy!
A son, our first, the image of his kin.
How strong he rose! How righteous, true!
Serious child with scrupulous eye,
Steadfast he stands, surveys the family stock.
Servants step lively when he speaks;
No merchant pockets bulge when he is sold.
And so I withhold nothing from my scion.
Blessed progeny!

Just yesterday, as broken-hearts mark time,
A rebel spoke, his words blew dark the lamps.
I saw no other course; with tears I acquiesced,
And off he skipped, my generous bounty won.
Our younger son, without restraint or sense,
Abandoned home and wisdom’s smoother path.
To seek what? A way without confinement, duty drear?
Ah, how I feared an acrid aftermath!
Why could I not restrain my lenient urge?
Soft-hearted sire!

Today, I rose unrested, troubled, vexed;
Red sky portending some new chaos born.
I showed no sign that gave away my fear
Nor spoke of the unease that filled my soul.
All charge I ceded to my firstborn son,
While I walked out to view the coming storm.
Before the clouds a figure wandered slow–
Familiar strides! My breath caught in my chest.
A sob, a cry; robes hiked free legs to race.
Blessed resurrection!

The Family, Part One

A trilogy of poems by Chaplain Mike.

I. The Younger

Here I am, father, at the eleventh hour once more,
Reaper’s scythe poised to harvest fruit of seeds I’ve sown.
Shamefaced, knowing full well the paucity of yield,
I slump low with downcast eyes, near resigned to table bare.
And perhaps this is that Hand–
Why should I escape heaven’s natural law?
What special exemption is stamped upon my page,
Faithless wayward child?

Yet something is that tells me I should rise,
Brush off the slop I’ve fed (which now appears my hope!)
Confess my riotous disregard of wisdom, prudence, love,
And manfully take up servitude low, secure.
I dare not hope for more!
Surely your face is turned toward those toiling well.
Surely you dine with those compliant, true,
Who honor the name they bear.

What right have I to hold within my heart
The slightest hope of more than stern offended gaze?
A rendezvous from which I shrink, besmirched and chastened;
And yet, am willing to accept my due.
So haltingly I walk–
Yet one more turn ahead before the sight.
Yet one more bridge to cross, a boundary long transgressed.
At sound of distant cry I lift my eyes.

The Day of Salvation?

By Chaplain Mike.

I remember the day I changed my thinking about when I was “saved.”

I had grown up in a mainline Protestant denomination, was baptized and confirmed, attended worship and Sunday School, and dabbled with youth group. However, in my teen years, I was not deeply involved.

Then the big change came.

At the beginning of my senior year in high school, our family moved across the country, an event that precipitated a personal crisis in my life. The foundations were removed from beneath me. For a time, I struggled with depression, drugs and alcohol, loss of meaning, purpose, and direction.

In the midst of my wandering, God graciously brought me into contact with some fellow students who attended a local Baptist church. I saw a real difference in them, and their joy was attractive. I became part of the group, though I hesitated to come forward and confess my faith as a Christian. Eventually, however, I responded to an altar call, went forward and expressed my desire to be baptized as a new follower of Jesus. From that point on, through his gracious preserving power I have never turned back.

For many years, in true revivalist theological fashion, I marked the day I “went forward” as “the day of my salvation.”

Then I met Joe.Continue reading “The Day of Salvation?”

Meeting Michael Spencer

MOD NOTE: Here is a link to the full transcript of David Head’s eulogy for Michael.

MOD NOTE: Here is a link to an audio file of Pastor Bill Haynes’ message at Michael’s memorial service.

Michael Spencer, the founder of this internet monk community–the iMonk himself–would not like all of the attention that has been focused on him since his homegoing on April 5, 2010. But we who remain need to talk about him. We need to lift our glasses at least one more time and say, “You done good, Michael. You done good.”

Yesterday in Oneida (pronounced o-NEED-a), Kentucky, a crowded chapel on the ground of Oneida Baptist Institute celebrated the life of the iMonk. There were friends and relatives and OBI students. Then there were those who had never met Michael in person, but who felt as if they had known him all their lives. There were those who had made peace with Michael’s death, and those (like I) who were still angry.

I think we all were helped through this time of grief by the words of David Head, pastor of Highland Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky. David and Michael were lifelong friends and related in some convoluted way that only occurs in Kentucky. I wanted to share some of David’s words–for those who are still working through their grief, and for those who are just now discovering this community and this man who is known as the iMonk.Continue reading “Meeting Michael Spencer”