by John Ellis Our firstborn is named Infinity. The genesis of our selection of such a hippie-ish name is up for debate (if you ask my wife). Regardless of how and why we picked the name, there is no denying, for me at least, that the name reflected a tinge of social rebellion. As a … Continue reading Yes, We’re Having a Baby
A Story of God’s Protection
by John Ellis At the end of last week, we had a new HVAC system installed in our house. Nobody likes having to do that sort of thing. The inconvenience, not to mention the financial outlay, is a pain. But when we bought the house a year and a half ago, we knew this day … Continue reading A Story of God’s Protection
Losing Cultural Hegemony Leaves Fascism as the Most Viable Option for Retaining Power: Here’s Looking at You, GOP!
by John Ellis The leaders of the anti-CRT/anti-social justice movement’s game plan relies on the effectiveness of scare-words as a control mechanism. I debated adding a charitable qualifier to my accusation, something like “many” or “a vocal contingent,” but after thinking through it, I concluded that even those who are operating in good faith are … Continue reading Losing Cultural Hegemony Leaves Fascism as the Most Viable Option for Retaining Power: Here’s Looking at You, GOP!
Why I Left Magic and Shaq Off My Unbeatable Basketball Team
by John Ellis For those of you who follow this blog and are regular readers but aren’t interested in sports, my apologies. And don’t worry; this isn’t turning into a sports blog. I promise (I think) this will be the last sports-centered article for a long time. However, for those who do love sports, especially … Continue reading Why I Left Magic and Shaq Off My Unbeatable Basketball Team
The *Most Unbeatable Basketball Team of All-Time
by John Ellis This past weekend, Nick Wright, host of Fox Sports’ First Things First, released his number three pick on his top fifty NBA players of the last fifty years. He chose Michael Jordan. The GOAT. At number three. Beyond ridiculous! I really like Nick Wright. Among all the hosts of debate styled sports … Continue reading The *Most Unbeatable Basketball Team of All-Time
Are Republicans an Existential Threat to this Country? (Part 1)
by John Ellis While reading Michael Korda’s biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower, IKE: An American Hero, I was struck by how basic competency is merely the baseline for successful leadership; high levels of sagacity in particular areas are also demanded. Scanning the landscape of generals on hand in the early 1940s, both American and British, … Continue reading Are Republicans an Existential Threat to this Country? (Part 1)
The Importance of Understanding Story/Narrative for Reading the Bible
by John Ellis Is understanding story/narrative helpful, if not important, to understanding who God is? I argue, yes. Most emphatically. God is the Storyteller, and being made in His image means, among other things, that appreciating and understanding story/narrative enables us to better understand who God is and implores us to worship Him. Unfortunately, evangelicals … Continue reading The Importance of Understanding Story/Narrative for Reading the Bible
Did David Rape Bathsheba?
by John Ellis If this article’s title is the first time you’ve ever been confronted with this question, count yourself lucky. Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not dismissing the question. It contains and touches on important points of application. By “count yourself lucky,” I’m referring to how this question has roiled the internet, specifically Twitter, in … Continue reading Did David Rape Bathsheba?
Kingdom Ethics: Equality of Outcomes versus Equality of Opportunities
by John Ellis A good friend of mine texted me a YouTube video containing a clip from a recent (year old) Real Time with Bill Maher episode. The title itself, “New Rule: Equality of Outcomes,” combined with knowing what I know about Bill Maher, was enough to generate an eyeroll from me. The clip itself? … Continue reading Kingdom Ethics: Equality of Outcomes versus Equality of Opportunities
Wanting An Audience Is (Can Be) God Honoring
by John Ellis I recently finished rereading Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis, who is one of my favorite authors. The book, a satirical take on Christian fundamentalism in America, earned book bans and burnings across the country as well as threats of violence towards its author. However, being a powerful and incisively cutting, if flawed, … Continue reading Wanting An Audience Is (Can Be) God Honoring
Practically Known Theology 