How Many Do You Have?

Today’s guest blogger is Pat K. Entering a new year for evangelicals usually brings with it new resolutions to read the Bible more. Pat has some good questions, thoughts, and suggestions about this. This is where the rubber of “sola scriptura” meets the road of what we actually do with the Bible.

The above picture shows my bibles. Not all of them though. This is just what I could dig up in the ten minutes I devoted to taking this photo. It does not include the four or five pocket New Testaments that I know are laying around somewhere or the paperback version of the KJV that I could not find. I’d like to think I am an exceptional case, being obsessed with theology and all, but I suspect I am not. Most of my friends have two or three copies, and several have many more than I do.

How many do you have?

I’ll tell you why I ask. [Continue reading]

From the iMonk Archives: There’s Always A Day Before

Today Chaplain Mike revisits a classic IM article from Nov, 2009 about our human finiteness. In the light of iMonk’s own unexpected health problems, this article seems especially prescient and poignant.

The news story is strange and tragic. Three college softball players go for a night time drive in the country. On an unfamiliar road, they take a wrong turn and drive into a pond….and drown.

There was a day before. A day with no thought of drowning. A day with family and friends. Perhaps with no thought of eternity, God or heaven. There was a day when every assumption was that tomorrow would be like today.

(Note: My friend Gary passed on after I wrote this piece.) My friend Gary has been the night dean at our school for more than 20 years. His wife has been in poor health, but he has been a workhorse of health. He’s walked miles every day, eaten a vegetarian diet and always kept the rest of us lifted up with his smile and constant focus on the joy he took in his salvation. [Continue reading]

Open Mic at the iMonk Cafe: “Mere Christianity” Christians

Today, Chaplain Mike posts this Open Mic question on behalf of iMonk.

“Are the ‘Mere Christianity Christians,’ i.e. Christians who emphasize the smaller, more minimal and broadly efficient vision of C.S. Lewis and some of the early church fathers personified in the Apostles’ Creed, the greatest threat to modern Evangelicalism? More and more apologists are using this term (Beckwith.)

Several voices have used the term ‘Mere Christianity Christians’ as equaling enemies to a justification-centered faith and some even suggest they cannot be Christians.

Is this a real threat, or is it, finally, a coming together across lines to emphasize what is important? What choices does it prefigure or necessitate?”

A New Year’s Message

Happy New Year.

This post is from guest blogger Chaplain Mike.

We encourage you to read the update posted below from iMonk and to join us all in praying for God’s ongoing comfort and help for Michael and his family in this time of need. May this post give assurance to them and to all who are facing serious challenges as they enter 2010.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places… (Eph 1:3)

On the calendar, today is the beginning of a new year and a new decade. I can’t think of a better text of Scripture upon which to meditate than this one from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

[Continue reading]

Michael Spencer Update…from Michael

A short update for all:

Thanks for all the love and continuing prayers. Am I wrong to ask for more, more and many more?

I have a cancer diagnosis. It’s complex, but has been quickly diagnosed once I was in the Markey cancer center. We know have a plan. Many weeks as some of you know, but that is my life for now.

God is meeting our needs in every was. Enjoy his love and upholding power. This is all working a mighty work in me.

It will be weeks + before I can think about regular work. I love chaplain Mike. You do the same and keep it together here at IM.

Needs now: Pray for healing of brain surgery and successful further work.

I am almost too dizzy to walk. Should improve slowly, but all that is unsure. [Continue reading]

Year-End Recognition of Important iMonk Articles

Today’s post by guest blogger Chaplain Mike.

Christianity Today ran an article by Collin Hansen today called, “The Top Ten Theological Stories of 2009.”

Honored at #10 was our very own Michael Spencer’s series of articles called, “The Coming Evangelical Collapse.”

Here is what CT had to say:

‘Coming Evangelical Collapse’ Predicted A fixture of evangelical discourse, the jeremiad issues from a prophet who warns of judgment unless true believers repent of their sins and turn to God. Michael Spencer rejected the prophet label and professed doubt that he would be correct. But his posts on “The Coming Evangelical Collapse” nevertheless spawned a new round of soul-searching for a movement that appears to be splintering in several competing directions.

Congratulations to Michael for the recognition of his important thinking and writing on this issue.

I encourage you to read these articles again, think through them once more, and share any updated (or first-time) comments you might have on these important thoughts.

Here is a link to the original posts, with a few notes and clarifications by iMonk.

Read them and return here to comment.

Has N.T. Wright Ruined Christmas?

Today’s post is by guest blogger Chaplain Mike.

Please keep praying for our Internet Monk, Michael, as he rests in the hospital and continues to undergo tests and wait for results. For updates from Michael and his family, please refer to his page on Facebook.

Today, let’s talk about Christmas carols. I love ‘em. In fact, from the first Sunday of Advent until the end of Christmastide, I only listen to Advent and Christmas music. There are no other playlists on my iPod. This is one of those rare times of year when it seems like everything in life, including the music that is being played even in the world’s public spaces, works together so that my whole world and all my attention can be focused on one theme: the Incarnation. Even the secular holiday songs, though obviously deficient in theological content, can fit in to form part of the “frame” for my days during Advent and Christmas and help create a sense of expectation in my heart.

However, it is always a good spiritual habit to examine our practices and traditions from time to time. I found a provocative and helpful article over at Credenda Agenda, in which Peter J. Leithart reflects on N.T. Wright’s insights about Jesus and expresses the realization that most of our “Christmas carols” have gotten it wrong.

First, go read the article, then come back for discussion.

[Continue reading]

Merry Christmas

Of the Father’s love begotten,
Ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
Evermore and evermore!

We are thankful for all who are faithful friends of Internet Monk. May God bless you with the very best gift—Himself—during this Christmas season.

For Michael, this is Chaplain Mike.

Merry Christmas.

(New posts will return on Monday, Dec. 28)

Thank you for your prayers

From Chaplain Mike: Many of you have been asking about Michael’s health. I pass on this report from his friend Ryan, who is one of the participants on the Boar’s Head Tavern site, which Michael also leads. Here’s Ryan’s update:

“I know many of you have been praying for Michael, and I wanted to let you know that he, and the whole family, appreciates your prayers and the kind messages being sent his way.

“I want to update the reading audience about what we know from our end. After being very dizzy and sick for three weeks, Michael was given a non-specific cancer diagnosis last week. He was scheduled for a biopsy, and possibly more tests, today (Tuesday), but he was too weak and dehydrated from being so sick lately. The doctors decided to admit him to the university hospital in Lexington to hydrate him, and get him ready for the biopsy. The latest word was that he was feeling better after receiving fluids. We are expecting a more concrete diagnosis/prognosis later this week.

“Please pray for Michael to get some strength back, and to be able to eat and drink solidly. Also pray for us to get real answers and certainty about something soon. Michael and Denise are going through this with a lot of strength and hope in Christ, and for that we can be thankful.

“If you haven’t read Denise’s post on “advent within Advent” please do so.”

“The fellows at the BHT, and IM readers have been a significant part of Michael’s faithful journey as a minister, writer and fellow post-evangelical sojourner. Your prayers mean a lot right now. I hope he’ll get his strength back soon so you can hear from him directly.”

On Facebook, Michael’s son Clay reported that Michael is scheduled for surgery on Christmas Eve at 7:15am. Thanks for praying for him as he goes through this and for the doctors who will be planning treatment for the future.

Why I Don’t Participate in the ‘Christmas Wars’

Today’s post is from guest blogger Pat K from New Reformation Press.

He rules the world with grace and truth,
And makes the Nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love…

My Pastor always tells us to pay close attention to old hymns because you can find some great theology in them. Such is the case with “Joy to the World.” This particular verse of this hymn is the reason I don’t participate in the ‘Christmas Wars’ and why you will never hear me decrying the commercialization of the Christmas holiday. Christmas as we celebrate it is the ultimate example of what this verse teaches. [Continue reading]

The Annual “Mary” Discussion

MOD: Comments are now closed. Thank you to everyone who has participated in this discussion. No way we will resolve the major disagreements among us, but I hope you learned something from the conversation and will go forward with a greater appreciation for the Biblical picture of Mary.

Today’s post is by guest blogger, Chaplain Mike Mercer. We continue to value your prayers as Michael awaits further tests and test results.

Today in our Lutheran church we read The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) as our primary lectionary text, a soloist sang a version of “Ave Maria,” and our pastor talked about how, by God’s grace, Mary “magnified” the Lord despite the earthly obstacles that stood in her way.

It’s that time of year again. Time for Protestants to talk about Mary.

Evangelicals tend to ignore or downplay Jesus’ mother, in reaction to what they perceive as overemphasis or even heretical devotion to her by the Roman church and other traditions. However, the Gospel of Luke gives her great honor, portraying her as the true and ultimate matriarch of our faith. Mary joins and surpasses Sarah, Rebekah, Rachel and Leah, Ruth, and Hannah, and is presented as the mother through whom God brought his redemption promises to pass. [Continue reading]

Open Mic at the iMonk Cafe: Missional Christmas

Today’s Open Mic question is posed by guest blogger, Chaplain Mike Mercer.

With all the talk these days of “missional” churches, this Christmas season might be a good time to take the ministry temperature of the churches represented by our readers here at Internet Monk.

What, if anything, is your church doing during the holidays to reach beyond its walls and serve your neighbors in the community? Any special evangelistic efforts? Special ministries of caring for the poor and needy? Special efforts to visit those who are elderly, sick, shut-in, or confined in facilities? Special programs organized for the express purpose of blessing your neighbors or community?

It’s OK to talk about what you are doing in the church building if it is focused on those who don’t normally attend. For example, we recently took part in a program in my brother-in-law’s church in Nashville that houses homeless folks overnight in the winter, providing a meal, hot showers, and a “store” through which they might get clothing and other necessities free. That’s the kind of ministry I’m talking about—but if it is a Christmas program or concert that is simply advertised to the public, that doesn’t count for the purposes of our discussion here.

How is your church being missional this Christmas?

Gospel Exhortations

Today’s guest post is by Chaplain Mike Mercer.

For Michael & Denise.

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.   (Philippians 4.4-7, NRSV)

How do exhortation passages in the Bible function as a living Word that truly speaks to us and works in us in a Gospel-oriented way?

Too many times in the past I have taken a text like the one above from Philippians and have preached or taught it as if it represented God’s laws for living a good and godly life. You know the drill. We might title this passage, “Living the rejoicing life,” or “How to overcome anxiety,” or “How to experience God’s peace.” We then give a series of “steps” or “principles” that, if followed, will yield the kind of life that “pleases God.” [Continue reading]

Six Floors of Sunday School….. to what end?

Today’s guest post is by IM friend Pat K, from New Reformation Press.

Way back in the early Eighties, shortly after becoming a Christian, I attended a Bible College in Houston, Texas. It quickly became evident that God’s Church was much larger than the small Holiness sect I was evangelized into, and Houston provided ample opportunity for me to explore what seemed to me to be an almost unlimited selection of denominations.

After sojourning awhile, and being intrigued by a number of different denominations, the theology I held at the time dictated that I couldn’t in good conscience wander too far out of the box. I settled on a very large and prominent Southern Baptist church and joined up.

Before I go any further, I want to make clear that I still love that church, and my comments here are not meant to take away anything from a great congregation and a magnificent ministry. For years afterward, the now sainted Pastor of that congregation was an inspiration and a role model to me. He embodied an excellence in ministry that has left a lasting impression long after my theology changed. [Continue reading]

Joy in the Journey

Today’s post is by Chaplain Mike Mercer.

There is a joy in the journey,
there’s a light we can love on the way.
There is a wonder and wildness to life,
and freedom for those who obey.

All those who seek it shall find it,
a pardon for all who believe.
Hope for the hopeless and sight for the blind
To all who’ve been born of the Spirit
and who share incarnation with him;
who belong to eternity, stranded in time,
and weary of struggling with sin.
Forget not the hope that’s before you,
and never stop counting the cost.
Remember the hopelessness when you were lost?

- Michael Card

Question: Why is the third candle on the Advent Wreath pink or rose-colored instead of deep blue or purple like the other candles? [Continue reading]