The Coming Evangelical Collapse – Michael Spencer on SBE

Erik Guzman March 20th, 2009

Tweet

Now that Michael Spencer, aka The Internet Monk, is a semi-regular on SBE, his star is on the rise.* You've probably recently seen his article, The coming evangelical collapse, on one of your favorite sites or news outlets.

Join Michael and Steve on this week's show as they discuss the iMonk's prophecy that "…within two generations, evangelicalism will be a house deserted of half its occupants."

Michael Spencer has been blogging at Inte … (Read More)

Comments (9) | Trackback

Small Changes Matter

Michael Spencer March 4th, 2009

Tweet

We turned off the TV.

Cold turkey. After growing up with it since we were children (we're both in our early fifties); after having favorite shows, sports, news programs for years. After raising our kids with it. After defending having a TV to all our religious friends who gave it up or never had one.

We turned it off a month ago. The TV is gone. The budget needed an infusion and no Obama bail out check has arrived. So we looked at the family finances, looked at ou … (Read More)

Comments (3) | Trackback

The Face of a Gracious God

Michael Spencer January 27th, 2009

Tweet

Religion #1:

God is mean, angry and easily provoked. From day 1, we've all been a disappointment, and God is–justly–planning to punish us forever. At the last minute, thanks to Jesus stepping in to calm him down, he decides to be gracious.

But don't do anything to mess that up. Peace is fragile around here.

Religion #2

God is gracious, loving, kind, generous and open-hearted. He rejoices in us as his creations, and is grieved that our sins have mad … (Read More)

Comments (12) | Trackback

Before We Mention Jesus, Let's Talk About the Seven Day Sex Challenge

Michael Spencer December 1st, 2008

Tweet

So…since it's the first week of Advent, let's talk about sex, shall we?

Oh, did you have a bit of a wince that perhaps sex wasn't the appropriate topic for the time of year we look forward to the arrival of the Savior?

Lay aside your qualms, dear reader. Sex is always in season in the evangelical megachurch.

You'll need to visit and read that link if we're going to go on, because I can't tell the story without giggling or using so ma … (Read More)

Comments (7) | Trackback

We Need A Church Council

Michael Spencer September 9th, 2008

Tweet

My friends will all tell you that I have, occasionally, a very strange idea or two, often inspired by my interaction with Christians of other traditions.

For example, I'd love to see some form of evangelical monasticism. I'm serious. We need to understand the vocation of prayer, and the worthiness of dedicating time and place to prayer.

When I want to pray for a day, I can go to any number of Catholic monasteries. If I had to stick with my Baptist tradition fo … (Read More)

Comments (9) | Trackback

My Annoying Little Question About Jesus

Michael Spencer July 28th, 2008

Tweet

Ah, my annoying little question. I do love it.

What question is that? Well, first a bit of background.

My experience with evangelicalism has sent me on a project that I call Jesus Shaped Spirituality. That's not a book title….yet. It is a blog title, but more importantly, it's a way of conceiving as much of Christianity as possible in a way that…

Connects directly with Jesus as presented in the Gospels and in the rest of scripture.

Imitates what Je … (Read More)

Comments (2) | Trackback