By Guest Blogger, Andy Zehner Andy is Damaris Zehner’s (very talented) husband. The notion that Socialism is the greatest threat facing Christianity was rightly shouted down on iMonk.(1) But why was that particular claim put forward in the first place? Why are Charles Stanley and the people who follow him especially concerned about a policy [...]
Jesus And Kids
8 Jul by
I was already feeling rather sick to my stomach. Maybe it was the fact that Ohio heat and humidity run hand-in-hand, and this day both were running in the mid-90s. Maybe it was the fact that I had only gotten three hours of sleep the night before—to go along with the three the night before [...]
And the Great Danger to the Faith Is…Huh?
6 Jul by
By Chaplain Mike Over at ever-reliable culture-war news source, Christian Post, is a report on Charles Stanley’s “sobering 4th of July message about a dangerous spiritual tide that is engulfing the country.” According to Pastor Stanley, the tide that is sweeping in is socialism. “It is a tide that is bringing with it ideas and [...]
Update: Easter Morning…for Ted
7 Jun by
By Chaplain Mike WARNING: As you read this update, the sound you will hear is the voice of cynicism. With a bit of sarcasm thrown in. As well as a healthy dose of antipathy. If I didn’t think the evidence deserves this kind of response, I would stay quiet. But this is bad news, a [...]
My Issues with Evangelicalism: (1) Worship
26 May by
By Chaplain Mike Part two of a four-part series. The most important issue to us in our journey from evangelicalism has been that of corporate worship. For thirty years now, this theme has always been at or near the center of our thinking and practice in ministry. In the last post, I summarized my critique [...]
My Issues with Evangelicalism
26 May by
By Chaplain Mike NOTE: You can read an earlier statement on this subject, called, “My Post-Evangelical Wilderness,” here. IM has been long known for its pointed critiques of evangelicalism. In less than a month, Michael Spencer’s book, Mere Churchianity, will be released, and I guarantee it will make a huge splash in this ongoing conversation. [...]
IM Book Review: The Divine Commodity
25 May by
By Chaplain Mike Darn that Skye Jethani! He has written the book I wanted to write—an insightful, stern, yet gracious critique of evangelical culture, illustrated by the works and stories of Vincent van Gogh, and linked with the wisdom of spiritual practices. And he did it well. It’s called The Divine Commodity: Discovering a Faith [...]
Pursuit Of Happiness?
20 May by
Editor’s note: Joe Spann will be contributing to our iMonk community from time to time. He previously wrote about our Dangerous God. Joe is not a “professional Christian,” simply a follower of Jesus learning as he goes. And for the record, I am the “friend” who asked the question that got this whole topic started–Jeff [...]
Our Dangerous God
14 Apr by
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 [...]
Big Butter Jesus, Part Two
Editor’s note: Many were offended earlier this week when Chaplain Mike wrote about the statue outside of Solid Rock Church in Monroe, Ohio burning down. Chaplain Mike referred back to a quote from John Piper, and some were upset that we would dare to touch the “third rail” by being even slightly critical of Piper. [...]