Category Archives: Muscle & Shovel, by Michael Shank

John Mark Hicks Reviews When Shovels Break

Michael Shanks has published When Shovels Break, a sequel to his Muscle and a Shovel, another novelized treatment of his theology. Shanks asked me to read and review his new book, but having spent so much time on Muscle and a … Continue reading

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Additional Reviews of Muscle & a Shovel

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: An Open Letter

[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

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Muscle & Shovel Page

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: In Conclusion

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: Chapters 39 – 40 (Faith in the Plan and the Bible; Wrap Up)

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: Chapter 38, Part 2 (No Creed But Christ)

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: Chapters 36 – 38 (Shank is baptized; No creed but the Bible)

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: Chapters 31 – 35 (the Spirit)

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

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Muscle & Shovel”: Chapter 30, Part 2 (the Real Restoration Movement)

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

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