by John Ellis Seventeen years ago today, Danita and I married. From a human standpoint, there’s no way we should work. And that’s taking into account one of the most profound statements uttered in the late 20th century. In 1988, the oft overlooked philosopher Paula Abdul published her seminal treatise and taught us all that … Continue reading Seventeen Years and Counting: Our Doomed (On Paper) Marriage
Recommended Juneteenth Reading: ‘A Question of Freedom’ by R. Dwayne Betts
by John Ellis I’ve recently finished reading A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison, a thought provoking and engaging book. It’s power and truth are of such importance that I believe white people should read it, even (especially) if it makes them uncomfortable. There are many reasons … Continue reading Recommended Juneteenth Reading: ‘A Question of Freedom’ by R. Dwayne Betts
Claiming Rock Music is the Devil’s Music Is, In Fact, a Devilish Claim
by John Ellis My pastor, while quoting a Nirvana lyric during a sermon, accidentally got the number of years that have passed since the song’s release wrong, and then looked at me in way that even my non-Nirvana fan wife picked up on. After the service, he made a beeline to me – well, as … Continue reading Claiming Rock Music is the Devil’s Music Is, In Fact, a Devilish Claim
The Problem With Trying to Redeem Work: Some Jobs Aren’t ‘Good’ and Some Work Isn’t ‘Noble’
by John Ellis In a recent article published by RNS, journalist Kathryn Post warns about finding our meaning in our work. She doesn’t argue that work can’t be meaningful but makes the case that the recent push to find meaning in work is swiftly becoming a replacement for the institutions of family, religion, and the … Continue reading The Problem With Trying to Redeem Work: Some Jobs Aren’t ‘Good’ and Some Work Isn’t ‘Noble’
Christian Nationalism: The Coming Storm of Persecution
by John Ellis I have publicly asserted that religious persecution for Christians living in this country is coming, an assertion that many white evangelicals whole-heartedly amen. Except, contra most white evangelicals, I believe that the persecution of followers of Jesus is likely going to arrive from the right (Republicans) first and not the left. For … Continue reading Christian Nationalism: The Coming Storm of Persecution
The Second Amendment: Conservative’s Moloch
Image by Otto Pankok (1893-1966) by John Ellis A mere twenty-seven words hold this nation hostage. Well known, but not necessarily understood, the Second Amendment states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Those words, … Continue reading The Second Amendment: Conservative’s Moloch
Absurdist Theatre and the Gospel: How Then Shall We Live? (Part 1)
by John Ellis Absurdist theatre has gotten a bad rap within conservative Christian communities. Whether it’s viewed as a postmodern rebellion against God, simply dismissed as some sort of aesthetic version of the emperor’s new clothes, or has never even crossed their radar, absurdist theatre is not the preferred theatre genre of most conservative Christians, … Continue reading Absurdist Theatre and the Gospel: How Then Shall We Live? (Part 1)
The Definitive Apologetic Answer Guide to Some of the Most Difficult Challenges to Christianity
by John Ellis Apologetics is a discipline that attracts much attention within Christianity, and for good reason. Atheism and agnosticism are on the rise. Even among non-atheists/non-agnostics, the rejection of long held beliefs about God, Jesus, and the Bible is seemingly the norm. Most of us have family members and friends who have rejected Christianity … Continue reading The Definitive Apologetic Answer Guide to Some of the Most Difficult Challenges to Christianity
Yes, I Am a ‘Woke’ Christian. No, I Have Not Drifted into Theological Compromise.
by John Ellis Have you ever heard of the Scottsboro Boys? Considered one of the most egregious examples of a racist miscarriage of justice in this country, nine Black men were wrongfully convicted of raping two white women in 1931. In the original trial and subsequent retrials, Alabama juries, comprised of all white men (with … Continue reading Yes, I Am a ‘Woke’ Christian. No, I Have Not Drifted into Theological Compromise.
The Civil War Wasn’t Just Fought Over Slavery; It Was Fought Because the South Wanted to Expand Slavery
by John Ellis A little over a year after the Supreme Court handed down the ruling in Dredd Scott v. Sanford, Abraham Lincoln delivered his famous “House Divided” speech. The speech, delivered upon Lincon’s acceptance of the Illinois Republican Party’s nomination for U.S. Senator, contained what was going to become a centerpiece in the future … Continue reading The Civil War Wasn’t Just Fought Over Slavery; It Was Fought Because the South Wanted to Expand Slavery
Practically Known Theology 