by John Ellis Many white evangelicals in America approach systemic racism with the perspective of innocent until proven guilty. For them, 21st century America cannot be condemned a priori without evidence that systemic racism is codified in the here and now. For the record, I believe that that evidence exists; many others have written eloquent … Continue reading Systemic Racism Is a Millstone Around Our Collective Necks
The Ethical Dilemma of Abortion and Voting for Donald Trump
by John Ellis Sitting here while typing, my mail-in ballot is staring at me from the table beside my chair. Part of it is already filled out, but before completing the job there are a few state constitution amendments and county charter amendments I need to research. Until then, on the first page, serving as … Continue reading The Ethical Dilemma of Abortion and Voting for Donald Trump
The Anti-Gospel of ‘The Matrix’
by John Ellis In the spring of 1999, while sitting in Greenville, SC’s now extinct Haywood Road Cinemas, I contemplated the meaning of the red pill and the blue pill. In the weeks and months to follow, The Matrix’s philosophical puzzles posed interesting avenues that my burgeoning atheism was happy to travail. Vague and sophomoric … Continue reading The Anti-Gospel of ‘The Matrix’
With Your Vote, Are You Worshipping Religious Liberty or Are You Worshipping Jesus?
by John Ellis “There remains a fundamental tension in Christianity. Flourishing is good, nevertheless seeking it is not our ultimate goal.” Charles Taylor[1] Voting can be a sticky wicket for Christians. Rarely, at least on the national stage, are we presented with options that align comfortably with a conscience informed by the Holy Spirit, God’s … Continue reading With Your Vote, Are You Worshipping Religious Liberty or Are You Worshipping Jesus?
A Concise (short) and Cogent Reason for Not Voting for Donald Trump
by John Ellis A little over a month ago, a good friend posed a scenario to me: “If a family member or friend asks why you won’t be voting for Trump, how will you succinctly answer them?” Oddly enough, I had begun thinking about that very scenario a few weeks before our conversation and had … Continue reading A Concise (short) and Cogent Reason for Not Voting for Donald Trump
As In Heaven: A New Podcast on Christian Conversations on Race and Justice
by John Ellis Not only are race and justice topics that are intertwined, they're topics that are on the forefront of many conversations happening online, in person, and in our local churches. Questions about racism, social justice, Black Lives Matter, and how Christians are to respond to these discussions and, more importantly, how we can … Continue reading As In Heaven: A New Podcast on Christian Conversations on Race and Justice
A Plea for Sanity About Wearing a Mask
by John Ellis Yesterday, three things happened that have driven me to type out, once again, an article about wearing face masks. 1. Governor DeSantis lifted basically all coronavirus restrictions in Florida where I live. Included in his executive action, Gov. DeSantis hamstrung local face mask ordinances. Less concerned with the reopening of Florida, I'm … Continue reading A Plea for Sanity About Wearing a Mask
Fifteen Years
by John Ellis (for my bride, my love) Fifteen years is a life; a short life Of hurts and hopes, of longings and loving. Our age is older than it is young; yet, Our age is only now seasoning into understanding. Fifteen years is not an eternity Even if our life is grappling with bottomlessness. … Continue reading Fifteen Years
Critiquing Complementarianism: Are Men and Women Different?
by John Ellis Critiquing complementarianism is risky business. Doing so carries the substantial prospect that you will be accused of being ideologically somewhere on the slippery slope that terminates with being voted Grand Marshall of Key West’s Pride Parade. And I get it. Really, I do. Considering the wild and wacky times in which we … Continue reading Critiquing Complementarianism: Are Men and Women Different?
Husbands, Be a Man by Being a Servant
(This article was written two and a half years ago and for my previous blog. I’m republishing it so that I can link to it in the article titled “Critiquing Complementarianism: Are Men and Women Different?”.) by John Ellis As I write this, my wife is out of town at our church’s women’s retreat. So, … Continue reading Husbands, Be a Man by Being a Servant
