Category Archives: iMonk 101

iMonk Classic: Three Days among the Mainlines

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted Feb 21, 2008 Unless you’ve been brought up in the insular confines of fundamentalism, it’s going to be hard to understand what it’s been like for me spending three days with “the other kind” of Christians this week. “The other kind” in this instance are mainline protestants,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: Three Days among the Mainlines”

iMonk Classic: My September 11, 2001

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted in September, 2001 Of course, it’s far from over, but it has been a week like no other in the memory of anyone who wasn’t old enough to be aware of what happened in November, 1963. Yes, our children will remember this week. They will measure theirContinue reading “iMonk Classic: My September 11, 2001”

iMonk Classic: Dumb Up, Brother: A Spirituality of Ignorance

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted September 27, 2007 Somewhere in the backlogs of this web site I recounted what it was like being on staff at a church full of seminary students. Everyone knew so much that we had real difficulty doing anything- like buying stamps- without endless debate. Of course, thereContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Dumb Up, Brother: A Spirituality of Ignorance”

iMonk Classic: Ray Ortlund—Reduced to Jesus Only

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted July 15, 2008 MOD Note: Back in 2008, Michael found this good word about what it means to be “Truly Reformed,” from one who is. Follow the link to read the entire post. From Ray Ortlund’s blog… Whatever divides us emotionally from other Bible-believing, Christ-honoring Christians isContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Ray Ortlund—Reduced to Jesus Only”

iMonk Classic: Riffs (02:18:09)–Scot McKnight on the “Neo-Reformed”

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted February 18, 2009 ‘Twas not so long ago, on a Calvinistic web site you’ve all visited, that one could hear a serious call to present one’s reformed credentials if one planned to be part of the discussion. ‘Twas also not so long ago, on more than oneContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Riffs (02:18:09)–Scot McKnight on the “Neo-Reformed””

iMonk Classic: The Post-Evangelical Bookshelf—A Beginner’s Reading List For Finding Your Way In The Evangelical Wilderness

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted July 30, 2008 I’ve been doing an interview on “Post-Evangelicalism,” and I thought it would be a good time to list some of the books that define post-evangelicalism for me. First of all, a brief definition: Post-evangelicalism is a way of relating to the present seriously compromised,Continue reading “iMonk Classic: The Post-Evangelical Bookshelf—A Beginner’s Reading List For Finding Your Way In The Evangelical Wilderness”

iMonk Classic: Review of “Evangelicals and Tradition”

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted June 26, 2007 My list of must-read books for post-evangelicals is short. Newly added at the top of the list: Evangelicals and Tradition: The Formative Influence of the Early Church (Evangelical Ressourcement: Ancient Sources for the Church’s Future) by Baylor University professor of patristics and Baptist ministerContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Review of “Evangelicals and Tradition””

iMonk Classic: Review of “Deep Church”

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted September 15, 2009 “A chastened, invigorated traditionalism, re-rooted in deeper, better soil and paying attention to the younger voices and cultural changes, is the better evangelical future.” Jim Belcher’s fine book, Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional has been at the top of myContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Review of “Deep Church””

iMonk Classic: What Have I Learned from Living in Community?

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted March 1, 2009 When you’ve lived in an intentional Christian community for almost 17 years, you’re a pretty sorry excuse for a person if you haven’t thought about how your life has affected that community or how that experience has shaped you as a person. You liveContinue reading “iMonk Classic: What Have I Learned from Living in Community?”

iMonk Classic: A Generous Catholicity

Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer Originally posted February 8, 2006 We like the creeds….except for the catholic parts. “I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints…” -The Apostle’s Creed “And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins;… Amen.”Continue reading “iMonk Classic: A Generous Catholicity”