by John Ellis The stock market had a good day today, thanks to Trump’s standing down in the trade war he started. On the flip side, common sense and the needed return to normal political theatre and away from Trump’s (unintentional) political theatre of the absurd have not had a good day. Seriously, if you … Continue reading Donald Trump’s Trade War Looks to be Ending Worse than a Status Quo Ante Bellum
Author: practicallyknowntheology
Deadly Worship Services: How Corporate Worship Serves the Curse
by John Ellis As a teaser, I ended my previous article with this quote from Antonin Artaud: “And if there is still one hellish, truly accursed thing in our time, it is our artistic dallying with forms, instead of being like victims burnt at the stake, signaling through the flames.”[1] Artaud’s highly imagistic words underline … Continue reading Deadly Worship Services: How Corporate Worship Serves the Curse
The Church: An Agent of Disruption
by John Ellis “For me, to live is Christ, to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 One of the most important works of theatre theory published over the last century (or, really, ever) is The Theater and Its Double by the almost inexplorable and wonderfully mystical Antonin Artaud. In the book’s preface, titled “The Theatre and … Continue reading The Church: An Agent of Disruption
Consumerism Sits at the Center of White Evangelicalism
by John Ellis Readers of this blog are (should be) aware of my thoughts on white evangelicalism. The deeper I dive into the history of the movement, the more convinced I’ve become that white evangelicalism is a false religion. This past summer, historian Matthew Sutton published an article in Oxford Academic: Journal of the American … Continue reading Consumerism Sits at the Center of White Evangelicalism
The Ideological Sluttiness of MAGA
by John Ellis It was only a week ago or so that I thought that someone should check in on Rand Paul and make sure he’s okay. I mean, while I’m no fan of libertarianism[1], Rand Paul is still made in God’s image, and I don’t want him to suffer. And I was guessing that … Continue reading The Ideological Sluttiness of MAGA
Donald Trump v. the Courts: The End of an Independent Judiciary?
by John Ellis Since taking the oath of office on January 20, President Trump has set about remaking the federal government. Mass layoffs, the shuttering of federal departments, rolling back regulations, and sweeping deportations are all part of the Trump administration’s whirlwind of activities. Lawsuits by various affected parties have quickly followed. The number of … Continue reading Donald Trump v. the Courts: The End of an Independent Judiciary?
It May be Time to Begin Planning a Farewell Party for Free Speech in America
by John Ellis Many historians consider A. Mitchell Palmer the worst Cabinet member in US history.[1] Serving as Woodrow Wilson’s Attorney General during the final two years of his presidency, Palmer’s name is forever glued to the infamous Palmer Raids that saw over 6,000 people imprisoned and tortured, with many threatened with deportation, for daring … Continue reading It May be Time to Begin Planning a Farewell Party for Free Speech in America
The Profaning of “O Holy Night”
by John Ellis “O Holy Night” is not only one of my favorite Christmas carols, it is also one of my favorite songs across all genres. In my first play after college, a production of The Homecoming by Earl Hamner, Jr., I played the lead Clay-Boy, better known as John-Boy from the TV series The … Continue reading The Profaning of “O Holy Night”
Why I Appreciate Postmodernism
by John Ellis Good luck defining postmodernism. Justice Potter's most famous words are apropos when defining it. For me, I know this: I appreciate postmodernism because it stands alone in Western thought, including within Christendom, in its acknowledgement that the Tower of Babel leads to nowhere.
‘For Our Daughters’: Exposing Abuse Within Complementarianism
by John Ellis I was well into adulthood before I first began hearing the stories of abuse suffered by females I grew up with. Many of their abusers were men in positions of authority. Their stories are not mine to tell, though. As an elder in a 9 Marks church, I had firsthand knowledge of … Continue reading ‘For Our Daughters’: Exposing Abuse Within Complementarianism
Practically Known Theology 