Douglas Wilson has declared war on wuss worship. Last July, Mark Driscoll, another purveyor of what I will call from now on “Esau Christianity,” tweeted this offensive message: “So, what story do you have about the most effeminate anatomically male worship leader you’ve ever personally witnessed?” prompting Rachel Held Evans to call him out as [...]
OTD: Obsessed with Tornadoes Disorder
6 Mar by
UPDATE: I am closing comments. I think we’ve talked enough at this time. In the meantime, please read the post by my friend John Armstrong that is much more sympathetic to John Piper, who is his friend, but nonetheless critical of his theological approach. Here is a key statement in John’s post: ‘What I believe [...]
Top of My “Don’t Read” List
6 Jan by
NOTE: Before you read this post, please read the Moderation Rules in the box below. • • • Unless something unforeseen arises, I won’t be reading Mark Driscoll’s new book, Real Marriage: The Truth about Sex, Friendship & Life Together. I have read the first chapter and several passages quoted in reviews, but only in [...]
In Praise of the “Chaplain” Pastor
4 Dec by
Mark Galli is speaking my language (again). Every pastor and church leader needs to read his article, “Why We Need More ‘Chaplains’ and Fewer Leaders.” Much to my personal dismay, “chaplain” is apparently a dirty word — at least to those who claim to know what makes a good leader in a healthy church. Mark [...]
Crossing Borders
19 Sep by
Last week, our local Borders bookstore closed, as they are doing everywhere across the country. On my final visit, I was able to pick up eight or nine books for $1.00 each. On any other day, that would have been a cause for celebration. On this day, I had a sick feeling in my stomach. [...]
Someone Has to Put a Foot Down
30 Aug by
By Chaplain Mike I haven’t really offended anyone for awhile, but I’m pretty sure that streak stops with this one. Sorry, but somebody must speak up and draw a line somewhere when it comes to what some call “worship” music. Today, I’m writing about one song. Churches everywhere sing it these days. Many, many well-known [...]
A Funeral Rant
1 Aug by
By Chaplain Mike I have been officiating funeral services since I was 22 years old, a young know-nothing pastor in the hills of Vermont. My first funeral was for an infant who died of SIDS. That service was held on the coldest, rainiest and iciest day I can remember. Outside. At the cemetery. It was [...]
The Insatiable Beast Takes Another Bite
28 May by
By Chaplain Mike That wonderful old Christian satire magazine The Wittenberg Door used to have a regular feature called, “Truth Is Stranger than Fiction.” That would be an apt way to describe this story I came across today. I couldn’t have made this up in a thousand years. And I don’t know whether to laugh [...]
A Rant from a Loser in the Worship Wars
7 Mar by
By Chaplain Mike UPDATE: I’m not sure if some of you did not read the post carefully or if I communicated poorly, but I want to clarify something. This post is NOT about music styles and what styles are better or worse. This post is ultimately about how today’s evangelical church has changed the definition [...]
The Bad News of Self-Righteousness
19 Feb by
By Chaplain Mike My reliable source for the culture war, prosperity gospel, and all things “trend-a-gelical” is The Christian Post. They call themselves “the nation’s most comprehensive Christian news website…delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.” Actually, most of the time it’s like walking into a bad Christian bookstore with [...]
