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 would you succinctly answer them?” Oddly enough, I had begun thinking about that very scenario a few weeks before our conversation. And it’s … 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
Complementarianism’s Existentialism Feeds Gender Confusion
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29 by John Ellis We are all existentialists now. As a society, owing to luxuries like free time and access to lots of food (luxuries denied … Continue reading Complementarianism’s Existentialism Feeds Gender Confusion
A Tribute to My Mom
My mom with her her precious grandkids a few weeks before she met Jesus face-to-face. by John Ellis Years before the most recent financial crisis turned “staycation” into a buzzword, my mom was planning our family’s staycations. As a Christian schoolteacher married to an independent, fundamentalist Baptist pastor, she turned resourcefulness into a finely honed … Continue reading A Tribute to My Mom
Does Bad Christian Art Lie About God?
by John Ellis Wrapped up in American evangelicalism’s heritage is an (un)healthy stream of Neoplatonism. To be fair, during the fourth and fifth centuries, Neoplatonism did help rescue Christianity from the contra-Biblical dualism of Manicheanism. However, some strands of theological thought also adopted Neoplatonism’s flirtation with Gnosticism’s rejection of the demiurge’s creation. That has carried … Continue reading Does Bad Christian Art Lie About God?
#BelieveWomen Versus the Presumption of Innocence
(I originally wrote this article during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings but a friend of mine recently asked me about it. While #BelieveWomen is no longer dominating the news cycle, the topic is no less important. I've rewritten parts of it.) You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept … Continue reading #BelieveWomen Versus the Presumption of Innocence
