Consistent quality blogging is a relatively rare thing even considering the scope of the blogosphere. To write succinctly and in an engaging way day after day, week after week, takes real talent and devotion.

Michael Spencer, the famed Internet Monk, is one such individual. I have followed his blog for almost a year now, and continue to stop by daily to imbibe his mix of honesty, rejoicing, complaint, and commentary. On occasion I will even comment on one of the posts. The discussion can be lively, sometimes bordering on a brawl—a kind of theological smackdown tag team event. More often though his writing has touched deeply on a subject that many of his readers also wrestle with and the discussion takes on a tone of mutual understanding and encouragement. Some of his self-disclosure is searingly and painfully honest. This makes for really good blogging and has kept my interest far longer than any number of other blogs.

Another factor that holds my interest is his fair treatment of other Christian traditions. He is a Southern Baptist, but will often invite someone from another tradition to answer questions concerning their tradition. Recently he invited Josh S. (one of his readers and a regular commenter) to answer questions about Lutheran Theology. You can read those posts here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

This series of posts was one of the best explications of Lutheran doctrine I have seen on the web. The commenters were very perceptive and added to the discussion. More recently he has been in dialogue with Roman Catholics, allowing them to explain some of the finer points of Roman Doctrine.

Mr. Spencer is also a very perceptive critic of Evangelicalism and the Church in general, and his criticisms hold a lot of weight. He has the ability to hold the churches foibles and sins under the searing spotlight of scrutiny and ask questions that others aren’t willing to address. This alone is worth the price of admission (which luckily for us is free on the blogosphere).

So you may ask “Why are hardcore confessional Lutherans sponsoring a blog that’s not Lutheran?” The short answer? Because it’s good. This kind of Christian blogging builds up God’s people. It strengthens faith. It is a great example to Christians and non-Christians alike. As Christians, we all face the same struggles and triumphs and deal with the same spiritual issues regardless of which denomination we belong to. To see a Christian man go through these things and try to wisely weigh them out, and do so publicly is of benefit to anyone who is willing to follow along with him.

To those who watch our doctrine who may be asking themselves whether we agree with everything Mr. Spencer writes our answer is a hearty “Heck no!!” He is Baptist and we are Lutherans. (All of us unapologetically so.) He has sometimes been known to irritate me. But he is an honest man, he writes a great blog, he pulls no punches, and New Reformation Press is proud to sponsor him.

By Pat K

Posted in General