by John Ellis Movement fueled my childhood imagination. Gazing out the window of the family van on the way to school, the stops halted my imaginary exploits. The sandy grass, weeds, and fences whizzing by the window while the vehicle was in motion are what served as my muse. As grass gave way to asphalt … Continue reading Walter Mitty and the Silencing of Eschatological Despair
Critical Race Theory and the Law’s Inability to Change Hearts
by John Ellis Why the Law? In his letter “to the churches of Galatia” (Gal, 1:2), the Apostle Paul offers pastoral-and divinely inspired-counsel to “recovering Pharisees.”[1] Theologian and pastor Philip Ryken goes on to explain, “Most former Pharisees have a problem, however. It’s hard for them to leave their legalism behind. … This means that … Continue reading Critical Race Theory and the Law’s Inability to Change Hearts
Thoughts on Deconversion Stories From Someone Who Never Wanted to Become a Christian
“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9:13 by John Ellis Over the last few years, the phenomenon of deconversion stories from once celebrity “Christians” has swept the social imaginary of conservative evangelicals. And it’s not just celebrity “Christians” who have embraced rebellion. Few evangelicals have been spared from watching family and close friends … Continue reading Thoughts on Deconversion Stories From Someone Who Never Wanted to Become a Christian
White Evangelicalism: Witnesses to the Wrong Resurrection – Chapter 1: The State of Evangelicalism in America
by John Ellis “The temptations of political and cultural power have been strong for white evangelicals.”[1] Thomas Kidd A recent poll conducted by Pew Research uncovered that 36 percent of self-professing evangelicals in America believe that causal sex is sometimes or always acceptable. Pew defines casual sex as “sex between two consenting adults who are … Continue reading White Evangelicalism: Witnesses to the Wrong Resurrection – Chapter 1: The State of Evangelicalism in America
White Evangelicalism: Witnesses to the Wrong Resurrection – Introduction
by John Ellis White evangelicals in America have a problem.[1] Well, problems. So much so, in fact, that the fault lines have grown to the point where the white evangelical church in America appears to be on the verge of being rendered irreparably asunder into multiple factions. An argument can be made that these factions … Continue reading White Evangelicalism: Witnesses to the Wrong Resurrection – Introduction
I’m Fully Vaccinated, Yet I Still Wear a Mask
by John Ellis (Today, the CDC released updated mask recommendations, saying that fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear masks or socially distance when inside, with some noted exceptions. I appreciate the CDC's expertise and continued guidance. That being said, my overall point in this article still stands. For the moment, especially in church, … Continue reading I’m Fully Vaccinated, Yet I Still Wear a Mask
The ‘New Nirvana Song’ Unwittingly Refutes Materialism
by John Ellis “Computers are bad phenomenologists.” Sarah Bakewell[1] Formalism was always doomed. Intriguing as a theory, its very existence disproves itself. As Wayne Booth commented in his introduction to Mikhail Bakhtin’s masterful Problems of Dostoevsky’s Poetics, “Everyone who has pronounced thus boldly for a purified form has been confronted with the scandalous fact that … Continue reading The ‘New Nirvana Song’ Unwittingly Refutes Materialism
An Argument Against Group Discussions in Adult Sunday School Classes
by John Ellis Whenever “who has a question?” was floated by the teacher to the Sunday school class, I never needed to turn around in my front seat to know whose hands had shot up. And I also knew that most of them didn’t really have a question, but an opinion they believed the entire … Continue reading An Argument Against Group Discussions in Adult Sunday School Classes
An All-Star Basketball Team Made Up of World Leaders
by John Ellis For some reason, and something I’ve never understood, most people are surprised to discover how much I love sports. And I, like, really love sports, especially basketball. If the contemporary maxims of self-actualization that can be distilled into “whatever you dream, you can accomplish” had any basis in reality there would be … Continue reading An All-Star Basketball Team Made Up of World Leaders
Art for Art’s Sake is Idolatry
by John Ellis Borrowing and, as his objective suited, warping Aristotle’s aesthetic disinterestedness, Lord Shaftesbury (Anthony Ashley Cooper) helped create the notion of art for art’s sake. The aesthetic ideals of John Locke’s famed pupil prioritized the enjoyment of beauty for beauty’s sake apart from utility. A true response to art does not broach the … Continue reading Art for Art’s Sake is Idolatry
