The Inconvenient History of the USA: ‘Love in the Library’

by John Ellis As the world’s largest children’s book publisher, it is almost assured that everyone reading this is familiar with Scholastic. With Clifford the Big Red Dog as their mascot and holding the US publishing rights to the Harry Potter and Hunger Games series, Scholastic has helped lead the way in encouraging children to … Continue reading The Inconvenient History of the USA: ‘Love in the Library’

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?

Lessons Christians in America Can Learn from ‘Coolidge’ by Amity Shlaes

“If the federal government were to go out of business, the common run of people would not detect the difference.” Calvin Coolidge By John Ellis Calvin Coolidge is a hero (maybe the hero) for old-school conservatives who still stubbornly cling to the classical liberalism that was long valued but now scorned by the bulk of … Continue reading Lessons Christians in America Can Learn from ‘Coolidge’ by Amity Shlaes

Recommended Juneteenth Reading: ‘A Question of Freedom’ by R. Dwayne Betts

by John Ellis I’ve recently finished reading A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival, and Coming of Age in Prison, a thought provoking and engaging book. It’s power and truth are of such importance that I believe white people should read it, even (especially) if it makes them uncomfortable. There are many reasons … Continue reading Recommended Juneteenth Reading: ‘A Question of Freedom’ by R. Dwayne Betts

Understanding Systemic Racism and CRT: A Christmas Wish List

by John Ellis With Christmas around the corner, many of us are busy updating our Amazon wish list or simply compiling a “Dear Santa” list the old-fashioned way. To the best of my knowledge, most of my friends stock their lists with books. To help determine some edifying books to include on your list, below … Continue reading Understanding Systemic Racism and CRT: A Christmas Wish List

Do You Read Primary Sources? If Not, You Should

by John Ellis I’m enjoying working through Stuart Hackett’s The Resurrection of Theism: Prolegomena to Christian Apologetics. A dense book, in which Dr. Hackett interacts and contends with some of the world’s greatest thinkers throughout the ages as he makes his argument, it does not make for breezy reading. The Resurrection of Theism most likely … Continue reading Do You Read Primary Sources? If Not, You Should