by John Ellis Introduction In his landmark book Silencing the Past, Haitian-American historian Michel-Rolph Trouillot writes, “past – or more accurately, pastness – is a position.”[1] In other words, there’s no such thing as a view from nowhere, including history; uninterpreted, neutral facts do not exist. This is true, in large part, according to Trouillot, … Continue reading The Inconvenient History of the USA: The Chagos Islands
Author: practicallyknowntheology
18 Years and Counting: A Family Forged on the Road
by John Ellis “They say that the road ain’t no place to start a family.” It’s been a weird year. A good year, to be sure, but a good, weird year. Likely not as weird a year as the year when I turn sixty will be, though. When I’m sixty, I’ll be escorting my thirteen-year-old … Continue reading 18 Years and Counting: A Family Forged on the Road
Critical Race Theory: Whiteness Is a Sociological and Political Category (The Tale of Bhagat Singh Thind)
by John Ellis Americans love uncovering their ancestry. The popular site Ancestry.com rakes in over a billion dollars in annual revenue. People love touting on social media the various countries from which their ancestors hailed. But why are Americans so fascinated with discovering their ancestors? Like most things, there are multiple reasons, including the nearly-determinative … Continue reading Critical Race Theory: Whiteness Is a Sociological and Political Category (The Tale of Bhagat Singh Thind)
A Grad Student Recently Uncovered the Largest Slave Auction in the US Known to Date
by John Ellis I'm not going to attempt to add any thoughts to the article linked below. Please read it. Here's an important quote from the article's conclusion: "But for the 600 people sold and their descendants? Only a stark reminder of how America’s entrenched racial wealth gap was born, Davila said, with repercussions still … Continue reading A Grad Student Recently Uncovered the Largest Slave Auction in the US Known to Date
‘Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets’ Exposes the Darkness of Christian Fundamentalism (and Provides a Warning to All White Evangelicals)
by John Ellis (As a head’s up: The footnotes in this article are important. You don’t want to skip them.) When 17 Kids and Counting – eventually 18 Kids and then 19 Kids and Counting – first began airing on TLC in 2008, it quickly became a hit in white evangelical circles. It was embraced … Continue reading ‘Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets’ Exposes the Darkness of Christian Fundamentalism (and Provides a Warning to All White Evangelicals)
Critical Race Theory and Christianity Are Not at Odds
by John Ellis As I’ve continued to study Critical Race Theory (CRT), my appreciation and respect for the complex system of theories has deepened. As a Christian who believes in the Fall and the subsequent Curse, I understand that relationships between humans are now a gross perversion of God’s original design. Sin is malignant, and … Continue reading Critical Race Theory and Christianity Are Not at Odds
Ron DeSantis: Christian Nationalism’s Desired Prince for Their Faux New Jerusalem?
by John Ellis Are you familiar with The Turner Diaries by William Luther Pierce? For those old enough to remember the Oklahoma City bombing, muted memory bells may be sounding in your head. The book was published in 1978 and quickly became the bible for the growing white nationalist movement, including serving as inspiration (and … Continue reading Ron DeSantis: Christian Nationalism’s Desired Prince for Their Faux New Jerusalem?
Eschatological Ecclesiology: Christ’s Bride
by John Ellis (This the manuscript for the Equipping Hour - Sunday school - class I taught this morning. Normally, before posting these manuscripts here on this blog, I rewrite it a little bit. Not this time.) Good morning. Welcome to the last class in our series on Ecclesiology. Normally, during our series on topics … Continue reading Eschatological Ecclesiology: Christ’s Bride
I Haven’t Changed and Donald Trump Hasn’t Changed; Maybe You’ve Changed
by John Ellis Donald Trump was found liable of sexual abuse and defamation today. That's a stunning statement that has never been uttered before about a former President of the United States of America. A statement that should slam shut the door on his 2024 presidential bid, but it won't. As stunning and revolting as … Continue reading I Haven’t Changed and Donald Trump Hasn’t Changed; Maybe You’ve Changed
The Phenomenology of Teaghan
by John Ellis Nearing three months of age, our new daughter is entering a fun stage of development. All stages of a child’s growth are fun, to be sure, but there are certain stages that are extra interesting because those changes are not just physical but also existential and phenomenological. During her first few weeks … Continue reading The Phenomenology of Teaghan
Practically Known Theology 