Small Changes Matter

Michael Spencer March 4th, 2009

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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)

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The Face of a Gracious God

Michael Spencer January 27th, 2009

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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)

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Welcome nakedpastor!

Erik Guzman January 8th, 2009

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We're thrilled to announce that David Hayward (nakedpastor.com) will be joining us this year in The Guest Room at SteveBrownEtc.com. David is an artist trapped in a pastor's body. His cartoons are funny, insightful and stark naked honest about church life…our kind of guy.

Find out more about David in his iMonk interview and look for him on the talk show in February.

And now, without further doo-doo, the first nakedpastor cartoon on SBE…fittingl … (Read More)

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

Michael Spencer December 1st, 2008

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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)

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Internet MONKeying Around – Michael Spencer on SBE

Erik Guzman October 31st, 2008

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The Internet Monk (if that is his real name) stopped by on this Halloween weekend edition of Steve Brown Etc. to try to corrupt us with his sorcerer's ways. Can you believe that this guy says it's all right for Christians to celebrate Halloween? What's next, voting Democrat?!! Yup, that too.

Join us as we talk about fear and voting in the post-evangelical wilderness.

(If you're on the front page of the site, click "Read More" to see … (Read More)

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My Annoying Little Question About Jesus

Michael Spencer July 28th, 2008

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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)

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