by John Ellis We’re one day closer to Putin launching his nukes. While it may not necessarily be inevitable, it’s probably inevitable. That’s a bold claim – a thuddingly dramatic opening sentence, I know – but if you haven’t heard, Putin has begun a “partial military mobilization.” The word “partial” is revealing but will go … Continue reading Untitled
Has J.R.R. Tolkien Been a Bad Influence on American Evangelicalism?
by John Ellis Okay. Hear me out. Well, don’t so much hear me out as prepare to interrupt me and provide counterpoints, because I’m not stating a thesis supported by well-crafted arguments. I’m sneaking a (possible) future thesis inside of a question. So, hear me out in the context that this article is like the … Continue reading Has J.R.R. Tolkien Been a Bad Influence on American Evangelicalism?
Kingdom Ethics: The Predatory Nature of Student Loans
by John Ellis Empathy is in short supply. As is the understanding of how profoundly image bearers were created to exist in community with and for each other in service to God. That lack of understanding blinds us to the ethics that derive from that ontic reality. Flourishing is found in Christ, but because of … Continue reading Kingdom Ethics: The Predatory Nature of Student Loans
Yes, We’re Having a Baby
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
Practically Known Theology 