By Chaplain Mike A relationship with God in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit will change us. A church grounded in God will be transformed, and it will likely transform its surrounding culture. If living in Christ makes no difference, we of all people are most to be pitied. But my concern about [...]
The Evangelical Myth of “Transformation”
1 Feb by
By Chaplain Mike Go Galli, go! Mark Galli, senior managing editor of Christianity Today, is one of my favorite authors, and one of the most realistic and theologically grounded commenters writing about the church and Christian life today. Back in 2008, Michael Spencer reviewed his book on worship, Beyond Smells and Bells: The Wonder and [...]
“Big” Decisions and God’s Will
31 Jan by
By Chaplain Mike When I was a Christian young person, I heard a lot about “seeking God’s will.” This question was especially prominent at Bible college, where young men and women training to go into ministry were trying to discern God’s leading in several key areas. First and foremost, we were trusting God to lead [...]
Liturgy Is Not a “Style”
9 Jan by
By Chaplain Mike I hope you will continue to put up with my ongoing journey into understanding the Lutheran way of practicing the Christian faith. In a comment the other day, someone asked if this is now a Lutheran site. Well, no. But since I’m walking on that path, what I’m learning is bound to [...]
When Bad Theology Gets Scary
7 Jan by
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, [...]
On Good Works
4 Jan by
By Chaplain Mike Whenever we have a discussion on faith and good works, it is likely that we will go down many side trails, as happened on Monday in our conversations. Today would be a good time, in my estimation, to clarify some fundamental Biblical teachings and to point you to what I think are [...]
Paul’s New Law—Or Our Identity In Christ?
3 Jan by
Note from JD: In anticipation of many, um, interesting comments that will follow this post, I am donning my Simul Iustus et Peccator (At Once Justified and Sinner) t-shirt sent to me by our friends at New Reformation Press. I highly recommend you get one for yourself before you find me guilty of treason, blasphemy, or [...]
Works-Righteousness by any Other Name Still Stinks
3 Jan by
By Chaplain Mike Regret. This is the great demon conjured up by International House of Prayer founder and director Mike Bickle to scare Christians straight. The Christian Post reports that he gave a message on the subject to 27,000 young people at a four-day conference last week in Kansas City, MO. Bickle’s message was first [...]
Advent IV: The Honor and Humility of Mary
19 Dec by
By Chaplain Mike Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. • Isaiah 7:14, NIV It’s time again for the annual “Mary” discussion. This is the one time of year when Protestants are forced to consider her as they [...]
A Bible You’d Never Find at the Christian Bookstore
15 Dec by
By Chaplain Mike Let’s say you walk into your local bookstore looking for a Bible. You scan the shelves and examine various translations and editions. Many contain 66 books: 39 in the OT and 27 in the NT. In some Bibles there is a section between the OT and NT with additional books called, “Apocrypha” [...]
