By Chaplain Mike Today is the one hundred fiftieth anniversary of what is considered the official beginning of the American Civil War—the bombardment and surrender of Fort Sumter, near Charleston, SC (April 12-13, 1861). Ft. Sumter was one of five Union forts that remained in the newly formed Confederacy. In the months preceding the battle,Continue reading “150 Years Ago, Today…”
Category Archives: Public Issues
Addicted to “Answers”
By Chaplain Mike Christians are addicted to “answers.†For some reason, we think the ultimate favor we can do for the world is to explain the ways of God. I humbly disagree. This issue came up again recently when John Piper wrote a blog post on the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Of course, youContinue reading “Addicted to “Answers””
Our Inadequate Grasp of “Culture”
By Chaplain Mike I hope you will join the conversation as I continue to work through James Davison Hunter’s book, To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. In our first discussion, we talked through a question: If America has as many people with faith commitments asContinue reading “Our Inadequate Grasp of “Culture””
I’m Speechless, How Do You Respond?
By Chaplain Mike UPDATE: Read this “Open Letter to John MacArthur” from an Egyptian American at Recovering Evangelical. I hope this doesn’t ruin your upcoming weekend, but I’m going to post some remarkable words by John MacArthur for your consideration and discussion today. I came across this interview with brother John at the Christian PostContinue reading “I’m Speechless, How Do You Respond?”
iMonk Classic: Why Doesn’t The Church Talk About Domestic Abuse?
Classic iMonk Post by Michael Spencer From Sept 17, 2009 From Kentucky.com, following a high profile murder that followed a high profile history of domestic abuse: The news reports of the recent death of Amanda Ross, allege that she was a victim of domestic violence. Based on statistics, it is likely domestic violence is happeningContinue reading “iMonk Classic: Why Doesn’t The Church Talk About Domestic Abuse?”
The Intruder and His World
By Chaplain Mike This world is ruled by violence, But I guess that’s better left unsaid. (Bob Dylan) • • • One day recently, a dreaded Intruder came uninvited into our life. His coming was sudden and shocking, as though a blast of wind exploded out of nowhere, shattering our living room picture window, sendingContinue reading “The Intruder and His World”
IM Book Review: Turning Controversy into Church Ministry
By Chaplain Mike Turning Controversy into Church Ministry: A Christlike Response to Homosexuality by William P. Campbell (Zondervan, 2010) I responded to an invitation to participate in a “Blog Tour” of W.P. Campbell’s book on ministering to those in the homosexual community. In typical fashion, I’m tardy in getting my review out, but I hopeContinue reading “IM Book Review: Turning Controversy into Church Ministry”
When Bad Theology Gets Scary
By Chaplain Mike MOD NOTE: Folks, this is not a pro- or anti- Israel or Palestinian post. It’s about dispensational theology and the dangerous mixture of such theology with international politics. I’d prefer that you stick to this subject in your comments. From today’s Jerusalem Post, these strong words from Michael Freund in his column,Continue reading “When Bad Theology Gets Scary”
Relating to Science, Our Neighbor
By Chaplain Mike Christianity Today’s top ten list of news stories from 2010 included one that prompted a lot of discussion here on Internet Monk: 8. Prominent Old Testament scholar Bruce Waltke resigns from Reformed Theological Seminary under pressure amid debate on the historicity of Adam. “If the data is overwhelmingly in favor of evolution,”Continue reading “Relating to Science, Our Neighbor”
Open Mic: Two Big Votes in Washington
By Chaplain Mike Yesterday, the U.S. Congress held well-publicized votes on two controversial pieces of legislation: the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy in the military regarding homosexuality, the “DREAM Act” that would have provided a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants who came to the United States as children. Though I normally don’t care toContinue reading “Open Mic: Two Big Votes in Washington”
The Internet Monk Archives 