Eschatological Ecclesiology: Christ’s Bride

by John Ellis (This the manuscript for the Equipping Hour - Sunday school - class I taught this morning. Normally, before posting these manuscripts here on this blog, I rewrite it a little bit. Not this time.) Good morning. Welcome to the last class in our series on Ecclesiology. Normally, during our series on topics … Continue reading Eschatological Ecclesiology: Christ’s Bride

I Haven’t Changed and Donald Trump Hasn’t Changed; Maybe You’ve Changed

by John Ellis Donald Trump was found liable of sexual abuse and defamation today. That's a stunning statement that has never been uttered before about a former President of the United States of America. A statement that should slam shut the door on his 2024 presidential bid, but it won't. As stunning and revolting as … Continue reading I Haven’t Changed and Donald Trump Hasn’t Changed; Maybe You’ve Changed

The Phenomenology of Teaghan

by John Ellis Nearing three months of age, our new daughter is entering a fun stage of development. All stages of a child’s growth are fun, to be sure, but there are certain stages that are extra interesting because those changes are not just physical but also existential and phenomenological. During her first few weeks … Continue reading The Phenomenology of Teaghan

The Inconvenient History of the USA: ‘Love in the Library’

by John Ellis As the world’s largest children’s book publisher, it is almost assured that everyone reading this is familiar with Scholastic. With Clifford the Big Red Dog as their mascot and holding the US publishing rights to the Harry Potter and Hunger Games series, Scholastic has helped lead the way in encouraging children to … Continue reading The Inconvenient History of the USA: ‘Love in the Library’

Is the Republican Party Cooking Its Own Goose?

by John Ellis The litany of heavy-handed (to put it nicely) tactics by Republican lawmakers around the country continues to pile up. In a chilling act of disenfranchisement, one of the more egregious examples was the expulsion of two Black state representatives from the Tennessee House this past week. There’s also Ron DeSantis’ ongoing and … Continue reading Is the Republican Party Cooking Its Own Goose?

Ecclesiology: Polity, Church Offices, and Church and State

by John Ellis (This is the slightly edited manuscript for the Equipping Hour – Sunday school – class I taught last week. It was written with the intention of being spoken and heard. Also, as I told the class last Sunday, I didn’t say everything that could be said about these topics. I was strategic … Continue reading Ecclesiology: Polity, Church Offices, and Church and State

Psalms: The Script for Our Journey of Faith

by John Ellis This is the slightly edited manuscript for an Equipping Hour (Sunday school) class I taught a few weeks ago. I edited it to make it a little easier to read. For those who attended the Church History class this past fall, you’ll remember that at the beginning of each class, we went … Continue reading Psalms: The Script for Our Journey of Faith

The Coup at Bob Jones University Isn’t Over

by John Ellis “The current direction is not sustainable. I am walking down a dark road with no light ahead. The future of BJU requires the Chairman and the President to work together. It is not happening now, and I can’t see it happening in the future.” BJU President and CEO Steve Pettit in a … Continue reading The Coup at Bob Jones University Isn’t Over

‘A Just Mission’: Biblically Critiquing the American Missionary Movement

by John Ellis “The journey toward true mutuality is hard work for all of us, but it may be especially difficult for a white person who holds a missiology shaped by the doctrine of discovery.”[1] Mekdes Haddis While reading A Just Mission: Laying Down Power and Embracing Mutuality by Mekdes Haddis, I had to stop … Continue reading ‘A Just Mission’: Biblically Critiquing the American Missionary Movement

The Cultural War: Parental Rights or Parental Tyranny?

by John Ellis This story is bonkers but predictable. Earlier this week, reports surfaced that the principal of a Tallahassee charter school had been fired because an art teacher showed the 6th grade students a picture of Michelangelo’s David and some parents complained.[1] There are so many exit ramps out of that previous sentence, it’s … Continue reading The Cultural War: Parental Rights or Parental Tyranny?