Mariah in Oz by Michael Spencer Celebrity might arguably be called America’s favorite religion. The amount of energy, money, time and trouble invested in the adoration of celebrities surpasses almost any public display of religion in America. Secularists and humanists may wince at the shenanigans of religious fanatics, but the sort of hoopla that accompaniesContinue reading “Mariah in Oz”
Category Archives: Classic iMonk
What I saw at the revolution: trading a heritage of worship music for a lukewarm bowl of CCM
What I Saw at the Revolution Trading a heritage of Worship Music for a lukewarm bowl of CCM by Michael Spencer NOTE: It is now apparent than some people cannot read this article without applying it to their church and getting mad at me. Listen, forget about your church and forget about me and justContinue reading “What I saw at the revolution: trading a heritage of worship music for a lukewarm bowl of CCM”
Choosing the better wounds
Choosing the Better Wounds by Michael Spencer Having been involved in ministry with teenagers for twenty-seven years, I read the recent reports of child sex abuse and a wide-spread cover up by the Roman Catholic hierarchy with more than passing interest. I have always lived with the uncomfortable awareness that even one charge of inappropriateContinue reading “Choosing the better wounds”
Why Calvin is cool: An infomercial for calvinism
Why Calvin Is Cool An Infomercial for Calvinism by Michael Spencer UPDATE: Even though I am no longer a Calvinist, a lot of this essay is still true. I know that’s Calvin Coolidge, but if I put a picture of John Calvin up there, most people won’t read the column. The hostility towards Calvinism isContinue reading “Why Calvin is cool: An infomercial for calvinism”
Flea market anthropology
Flea Market Anthropology (The Stupidity Rant Part II) by Eric Rigney I am not offended by much. I think maybe it’s because of all the stuff I’ve seen and been close to (or participated in) in my lifetime. But for whatever reason, not much offends me. In fact, sometimes I think maybe I’m not offendedContinue reading “Flea market anthropology”
When I am weak: Why we must embrace our brokenness and never be good Christians
When I am Weak Why we must embrace our brokenness and never be good Christians by Michael Spencer The voice on the other end of the phone told a story that has become so familiar to me, I could have almost finished it from the third sentence. A respected and admired Christian leader, carrying theContinue reading “When I am weak: Why we must embrace our brokenness and never be good Christians”
The books are many; the readers are few
The Books are Many; The Readers are Few by Eric Rigney If you are reading this, you are abnormal. If you get past this sentence, you’re just plain strange. Why are you still here?! Go watch TV or something! There. Now that we’ve got rid of the non-readers among us, let’s talk about them. IsContinue reading “The books are many; the readers are few”
Denise Spencer: An invitation to bold love
An Invitation to Bold Love A book every lover of grace needs to read by Denise Day Spencer I’ve asked the best writer in the house–my wife–to pen a review and recommendation of a book that clarifies some of the most common misunderstandings about grace. Does grace mean embracing and accepting everything? Abuse? Cruelty? HowContinue reading “Denise Spencer: An invitation to bold love”
An invitation to bold love
An Invitation to Bold Love A book every lover of grace needs to read by Denise Day Spencer I’ve asked the best writer in the house–my wife–to pen a review and recommendation of a book that clarifies some of the most common misunderstandings about grace. Does grace mean embracing and accepting everything? Abuse? Cruelty? HowContinue reading “An invitation to bold love”
A marriage made in hell
A Marriage Made in Hell How Christian Pessimism and Radical Islam Are Blowing Up the World by Michael Spencer The Bible is an optimistic book. This seems almost ridiculously obvious. No matter what your position on eschatology, the end of the story is upbeat. On that I think we can all agree. The vision ofContinue reading “A marriage made in hell”
The Internet Monk Archives 