Untitled

by John Ellis We’re one day closer to Putin launching his nukes. While it may not necessarily be inevitable, it’s likely not even probably inevitable, but the beats of history make it sound inevitable. That’s a bold claim – a thuddingly dramatic opening sentence, I know – but if you haven’t heard, Putin has begun … Continue reading Untitled

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?

Kingdom Ethics: The Predatory Nature of Student Loans

by John Ellis Empathy is in short supply. As is the understanding of how profoundly image bearers were created to exist in community with and for each other in service to God. That lack of understanding blinds us to the ethics that derive from that ontic reality. Flourishing is found in Christ, but because of … Continue reading Kingdom Ethics: The Predatory Nature of Student Loans

Losing Cultural Hegemony Leaves Fascism as the Most Viable Option for Retaining Power: Here’s Looking at You, GOP!

by John Ellis The leaders of the anti-CRT/anti-social justice movement’s game plan relies on the effectiveness of scare-words as a control mechanism. I debated adding a charitable qualifier to my accusation, something like “many” or “a vocal contingent,” but after thinking through it, I concluded that even those who are operating in good faith are … Continue reading Losing Cultural Hegemony Leaves Fascism as the Most Viable Option for Retaining Power: Here’s Looking at You, GOP!

Why I Left Magic and Shaq Off My Unbeatable Basketball Team

by John Ellis For those of you who follow this blog and are regular readers but aren’t interested in sports, my apologies. And don’t worry; this isn’t turning into a sports blog. I promise (I think) this will be the last sports-centered article for a long time. However, for those who do love sports, especially … Continue reading Why I Left Magic and Shaq Off My Unbeatable Basketball Team

The *Most Unbeatable Basketball Team of All-Time

by John Ellis This past weekend, Nick Wright, host of Fox Sports’ First Things First, released his number three pick on his top fifty NBA players of the last fifty years. He chose Michael Jordan. The GOAT. At number three. Beyond ridiculous! I really like Nick Wright. Among all the hosts of debate styled sports … Continue reading The *Most Unbeatable Basketball Team of All-Time

Christian Nationalism: The Coming Storm of Persecution

by John Ellis I have publicly asserted that religious persecution for Christians living in this country is coming, an assertion that many white evangelicals whole-heartedly amen. Except, contra most white evangelicals, I believe that the persecution of followers of Jesus is likely going to arrive from the right (Republicans) first and not the left. For … Continue reading Christian Nationalism: The Coming Storm of Persecution

The Second Amendment: Conservative’s Moloch

Image by Otto Pankok (1893-1966) by John Ellis A mere twenty-seven words hold this nation hostage. Well known, but not necessarily understood, the Second Amendment states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Those words, … Continue reading The Second Amendment: Conservative’s Moloch

Yes, I Am a ‘Woke’ Christian. No, I Have Not Drifted into Theological Compromise.

by John Ellis Have you ever heard of the Scottsboro Boys? Considered one of the most egregious examples of a racist miscarriage of justice in this country, nine Black men were wrongfully convicted of raping two white women in 1931. In the initial trial and subsequent retrials, Alabama juries, comprised of all white men (with … Continue reading Yes, I Am a ‘Woke’ Christian. No, I Have Not Drifted into Theological Compromise.

Preachiness Doesn’t Damage Art; Bad “Artists” Damage Art

by John Ellis Words are a funny thing. I don’t remember who said it – Winnie the Pooh, maybe? – but the observation has been made that words don’t stay where they’re put. If the Fall and Fall’s Curse (not to mention the Tower of Babel) are true, and I believe they are, this is … Continue reading Preachiness Doesn’t Damage Art; Bad “Artists” Damage Art