Category Archives: Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank

Muscle and a Shovel by Michael Shank is a self-published book relating the story of his conversion from being a Baptist to a member of the Churches of Christ. It’s gained immense popularity among the more conservative Church of Christ … Continue reading →

[Because this is an unusually long post, I’m skipping tomorrow to allow more time for discussion.] We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. (And I guess I did change my mind. What can I say? But this … Continue reading →

I’ve created a Page that provides a table of contents for all the Muscle & Shovel posts, to make it convenient to read, or refer friends to, this material. A link to the Page will remain available at top of … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. And we are at the end (unless I change my mind). What’s Missing? Shank’s theology has several flaws. 1. It greatly de-emphasizes Jesus in order to emphasize baptism. You can’t … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Faith = the Plan of Salvation? Back in chapter 35, Shank writes, The Bible definition of faith is belief, repentance, public confession of belief that Christ is God’s Son and … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. In this post, we consider the history of the Churches of Christ some more. In the 19th Century, the founders of the Restoration Movement, rejected creedalism, that is, the idea … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Shank describes waking his wife up at 11:30 PM to discuss the conversion of Paul and his baptism. “Jonetta, I was baptized for the wrong reason and if that’s the … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Chapter 31 Shank is close to being re-baptized. Shank and his wife drink some beers, and he gets sick on too much alcohol. Chapter 32 Shank realizes that he smokes … Continue reading →

We are considering Michael Shank’s book Muscle and a Shovel. Thomas Campbell, Alexander’s father, in his “Declaration and Address,” stated the aims of the Restoration Movement. It’s generally considered the founding document of the Campbell wing of the Restoration Movement. And it … Continue reading →