A New Year’s Message

Happy New Year.

This post is from guest blogger Chaplain Mike.

We encourage you to read the update posted below from iMonk and to join us all in praying for God’s ongoing comfort and help for Michael and his family in this time of need. May this post give assurance to them and to all who are facing serious challenges as they enter 2010.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… (Eph 1:3)

On the calendar, today is the beginning of a new year and a new decade. I can’t think of a better text of Scripture upon which to meditate than this one from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

Continue reading “A New Year’s Message”

Michael Spencer Update…from Michael

A short update for all:

Thanks for all the love and continuing prayers. Am I wrong to ask for more, more and many more?

I have a cancer diagnosis. It’s complex, but has been quickly diagnosed once I was in the Markey cancer center. We know have a plan. Many weeks as some of you know, but that is my life for now.

God is meeting our needs in every was. Enjoy his love and upholding power. This is all working a mighty work in me.

It will be weeks + before I can think about regular work. I love chaplain Mike. You do the same and keep it together here at IM.

Needs now: Pray for healing of brain surgery and successful further work.

I am almost too dizzy to walk. Should improve slowly, but all that is unsure.Continue reading “Michael Spencer Update…from Michael”

Year-End Recognition of Important iMonk Articles

Today’s post by guest blogger Chaplain Mike.

Christianity Today ran an article by Collin Hansen today called, “The Top Ten Theological Stories of 2009.”

Honored at #10 was our very own Michael Spencer’s series of articles called, “The Coming Evangelical Collapse.”

Here is what CT had to say:

‘Coming Evangelical Collapse’ Predicted A fixture of evangelical discourse, the jeremiad issues from a prophet who warns of judgment unless true believers repent of their sins and turn to God. Michael Spencer rejected the prophet label and professed doubt that he would be correct. But his posts on “The Coming Evangelical Collapse” nevertheless spawned a new round of soul-searching for a movement that appears to be splintering in several competing directions.

Congratulations to Michael for the recognition of his important thinking and writing on this issue.

I encourage you to read these articles again, think through them once more, and share any updated (or first-time) comments you might have on these important thoughts.

Here is a link to the original posts, with a few notes and clarifications by iMonk.

Read them and return here to comment.

Has N.T. Wright Ruined Christmas?

Today’s post is by guest blogger Chaplain Mike.

Please keep praying for our Internet Monk, Michael, as he rests in the hospital and continues to undergo tests and wait for results. For updates from Michael and his family, please refer to his page on Facebook.

Today, let’s talk about Christmas carols. I love ’em. In fact, from the first Sunday of Advent until the end of Christmastide, I only listen to Advent and Christmas music. There are no other playlists on my iPod. This is one of those rare times of year when it seems like everything in life, including the music that is being played even in the world’s public spaces, works together so that my whole world and all my attention can be focused on one theme: the Incarnation. Even the secular holiday songs, though obviously deficient in theological content, can fit in to form part of the “frame” for my days during Advent and Christmas and help create a sense of expectation in my heart.

However, it is always a good spiritual habit to examine our practices and traditions from time to time. I found a provocative and helpful article over at Credenda Agenda, in which Peter J. Leithart reflects on N.T. Wright’s insights about Jesus and expresses the realization that most of our “Christmas carols” have gotten it wrong.

First, go read the article, then come back for discussion.

Continue reading “Has N.T. Wright Ruined Christmas?”

Merry Christmas

giottonativity-2

Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

We are thankful for all who are faithful friends of Internet Monk. May God bless you with the very best gift—Himself—during this Christmas season.

For Michael, this is Chaplain Mike.

Merry Christmas.

(New posts will return on Monday, Dec. 28)

Thank you for your prayers

From Chaplain Mike: Many of you have been asking about Michael’s health. I pass on this report from his friend Ryan, who is one of the participants on the Boar’s Head Tavern site, which Michael also leads. Here’s Ryan’s update:

“I know many of you have been praying for Michael, and I wanted to let you know that he, and the whole family, appreciates your prayers and the kind messages being sent his way.

“I want to update the reading audience about what we know from our end. After being very dizzy and sick for three weeks, Michael was given a non-specific cancer diagnosis last week. He was scheduled for a biopsy, and possibly more tests, today (Tuesday), but he was too weak and dehydrated from being so sick lately. The doctors decided to admit him to the university hospital in Lexington to hydrate him, and get him ready for the biopsy. The latest word was that he was feeling better after receiving fluids. We are expecting a more concrete diagnosis/prognosis later this week.

“Please pray for Michael to get some strength back, and to be able to eat and drink solidly. Also pray for us to get real answers and certainty about something soon. Michael and Denise are going through this with a lot of strength and hope in Christ, and for that we can be thankful.

“If you haven’t read Denise’s post on “advent within Advent” please do so.”

“The fellows at the BHT, and IM readers have been a significant part of Michael’s faithful journey as a minister, writer and fellow post-evangelical sojourner. Your prayers mean a lot right now. I hope he’ll get his strength back soon so you can hear from him directly.”

On Facebook, Michael’s son Clay reported that Michael is scheduled for surgery on Christmas Eve at 7:15am. Thanks for praying for him as he goes through this and for the doctors who will be planning treatment for the future.

Why I Don’t Participate in the ‘Christmas Wars’

1239964_christmas_world_ball2Today’s post is from guest blogger Pat K from New Reformation Press.

He rules the world with grace and truth,
And makes the Nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love…

My Pastor always tells us to pay close attention to old hymns because you can find some great theology in them. Such is the case with “Joy to the World.” This particular verse of this hymn is the reason I don’t participate in the ‘Christmas Wars’ and why you will never hear me decrying the commercialization of the Christmas holiday. Christmas as we celebrate it is the ultimate example of what this verse teaches. Continue reading “Why I Don’t Participate in the ‘Christmas Wars’”

The Annual “Mary” Discussion

Giotto-Madonna2

MOD: Comments are now closed. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this discussion. No way we will resolve the major disagreements among us, but I hope you learned something from the conversation and will go forward with a greater appreciation for the Biblical picture of Mary.

Today’s post is by guest blogger, Chaplain Mike Mercer. We continue to value your prayers as Michael awaits further tests and test results.

Today in our Lutheran church we read The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) as our primary lectionary text, a soloist sang a version of “Ave Maria,” and our pastor talked about how, by God’s grace, Mary “magnified” the Lord despite the earthly obstacles that stood in her way.

It’s that time of year again. Time for Protestants to talk about Mary.

Evangelicals tend to ignore or downplay Jesus’ mother, in reaction to what they perceive as overemphasis or even heretical devotion to her by the Roman church and other traditions. However, the Gospel of Luke gives her great honor, portraying her as the true and ultimate matriarch of our faith. Mary joins and surpasses Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, Ruth, and Hannah, and is presented as the mother through whom God brought his redemption promises to pass.

Her canticle, The Magnificat, draws from the song of Hannah, who gave birth to the great prophet Samuel (1Samuel 2:1-10). In her song, Hannah praised God for the gift of a son and the greater promise of a king for Israel, a promise brought to pass in David and later reiterated by God with regard to the future King of kings. “The Lord will judge the ends of the earth,” Hannah sang, “He will give strength to his king, and exalt the power of his anointed [messiah].”

Mary’s song revisits these same themes, as she praises God for giving his son, the greater son of David, who will reign as King over all the earth. Her canticle recognizes that what God is doing in and through her is nothing less than the fulfillment of God’s promises to Abraham that through his seed, all the nations on earth will be blessed. The part she plays is so significant that she sings, “Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed.”

Mary’s unprecedented blessedness happens in a context of significant obstacles. All the stories of the matriarchs have this theme. Whether barrenness, conflict, poverty, sinful reputation, lack of power in a male-dominated society, or difficult societal circumstances that they faced, all the mothers who bore children of promise fought serious uphill battles in trusting God for his work in their lives.

And so with Mary:

  • Mary was probably a young teenager at the time, limited by her age.
  • Her pregnancy marked her as an immoral, unwed mother-to-be.
  • She was forced from her home to travel to Bethlehem by the decree of an unfeeling government that cared only about keeping its records straight.
  • Away from her home and family, Mary could not even obtain a comfortable place to bear her child.
  • A short time later, according to Matthew’s Gospel, she and the rest of the holy family hit the road again, this time as refugees to Egypt, running for their lives.
  • All her life, she struggled to grasp the magnitude of what had happened to her and the significance of the one she bore, and yet she continued in faith to the end.

Many times throughout her life, the powers of the world overshadowed, pressured, and threatened this woman. yet in her song she expresses what people of faith in all generations have learned — God is not with those who wield earthly power. His heart is with those who look to him in simple faith and entrust their destiny to him.

Mary is the true and ultimate matriarch of our faith. Though there are many women saints in the Bible, she excels them all. Every generation should call her uniquely blessed. How sad that our discussions about Mary are so often focused on dogma and disagreement when there is so much upon which we can agree. In particular, as Scot McKnight says, honoring and respecting the true Mary always leads us to Jesus.

And so, may God grant us grace to give special honor to Mary, the mother of God, and follow her example during this Advent and Christmas season, and every season throughout the year.

Open Mic at the iMonk Cafe: Missional Christmas

scroogeToday’s Open Mic question is posed by guest blogger, Chaplain Mike Mercer.

With all the talk these days of “missional” churches, this Christmas season might be a good time to take the ministry temperature of the churches represented by our readers here at Internet Monk.

What, if anything, is your church doing during the holidays to reach beyond its walls and serve your neighbors in the community? Any special evangelistic efforts? Special ministries of caring for the poor and needy? Special efforts to visit those who are elderly, sick, shut-in, or confined in facilities? Special programs organized for the express purpose of blessing your neighbors or community?

It’s OK to talk about what you are doing in the church building if it is focused on those who don’t normally attend. For example, we recently took part in a program in my brother-in-law’s church in Nashville that houses homeless folks overnight in the winter, providing a meal, hot showers, and a “store” through which they might get clothing and other necessities free. That’s the kind of ministry I’m talking about—but if it is a Christmas program or concert that is simply advertised to the public, that doesn’t count for the purposes of our discussion here.

How is your church being missional this Christmas?

Gospel Exhortations

PeaceToday’s guest post is by Chaplain Mike Mercer.

For Michael & Denise.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  (Philippians 4.4-7, NRSV)

How do exhortation passages in the Bible function as a living Word that truly speaks to us and works in us in a Gospel-oriented way?

Too many times in the past I have taken a text like the one above from Philippians and have preached or taught it as if it represented God’s laws for living a good and godly life. You know the drill. We might title this passage, “Living the rejoicing life,” or “How to overcome anxiety,” or “How to experience God’s peace.” We then give a series of “steps” or “principles” that, if followed, will yield the kind of life that “pleases God.” Continue reading “Gospel Exhortations”