by John Ellis (Originally written to be read/heard, this is the manuscript for the Sunday school class I taught this morning. I’ve edited it some to make it a little easier to read.) Before diving into Ecclesiology and the Reformation, I’m going to start with a pop quiz. It’s a one question pop quiz, so … Continue reading Church History: Ecclesiology and the Reformation (Plus the Awesomeness of the Particular Baptists)
The War on Christmas
by John Ellis The outrage over the supposed War on Christmas has long been supported by the twin pillars of misplaced priorities and ridiculous conspiracy theories. White evangelicals in this country have long – since their beginning – embraced a martyr complex combined with a love for conspiracy theories. The handwringing over the War on … Continue reading The War on Christmas
‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ – Thanksgiving Day as Lament
by John Ellis Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens and closes beautifully. As tributes to Chadwick Boseman, the highly anticipated sequel to Marvel’s 2018 smash hit plays all the right notes with its beginning and ending scenes, creating moving bookends for an excellent movie. Even the Marvel title card is a touching sendup of the talented … Continue reading ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ – Thanksgiving Day as Lament
If Twitter Is the Public Square, Donald Trump is the Golden Idol in Its Middle
by John Ellis Twitter is all abuzz with the news that Elon Musk has allowed ex-president Donald Trump back on the social media site. It doesn’t appear to be a decision that elicits a shrug from many people. Based on the reactions, many people vocally love the decision, believing that it’s a harbinger of better … Continue reading If Twitter Is the Public Square, Donald Trump is the Golden Idol in Its Middle
Up Next at Bob Jones University: Casting Crowns Playing the FMA Stage?
by John Ellis (edit 3/30/23: This article appears to be short-lived wishful thinking, I guess. With Pettit's "forced" resignation by the duplicitous board, it seems clear that Bob Jones III and his cronies have figured out how to circumvent Pettit and bite down on that poison pill after all. Who knows, maybe a powerful alumni … Continue reading Up Next at Bob Jones University: Casting Crowns Playing the FMA Stage?
Our Definition of Patriotism Works Against the Bible’s Expectation of Community
by John Ellis Expressive (radical) individualism is a phenomenon that has long intrigued and saddened me. Our communities barely function as communities because our social imaginary is so littered with expressive individualism that the disparate parts rarely collate into an actual whole. As a result, our communities lack ontological realness. And the effects are obvious. … Continue reading Our Definition of Patriotism Works Against the Bible’s Expectation of Community
Church History: Sacerdotalism and Church As State
by John Ellis (This is the slightly edited manuscript for the class I taught this past Sunday at my church. It’s been edited for others to read instead of it being written for me to speak. Even with that, though, there may be places where it hits your “ear” funny because you’re reading something that … Continue reading Church History: Sacerdotalism and Church As State
The (Possible) Slow, Strange Suicide of Bob Jones University
by John Ellis (Edit on 3/30/23: Me: "Why are so many people clicking on a months old article that is really no longer relevant?" Friends later text me about the news that Steve Pettit has resigned as president of BJU, stating that he can no longer serve as long as John Lewis remains chairman of … Continue reading The (Possible) Slow, Strange Suicide of Bob Jones University
The Prophetic Vocation of (Theatre) Artists
One of theatre's great prophets: Augusto Boal by John Ellis Are artists prophets? Specifically, are theatre artists prophets? Your answer, in large part, will depend on how you define prophet (and artist). For me, the controlling definition of prophet is found in the biblical distinction between prophet and priest: Prophets speak to the people on … Continue reading The Prophetic Vocation of (Theatre) Artists
A Brief Discourse on Imago Dei: What Makes Us Our Self?
by John Ellis (This article was originally intended to be a short Facebook post, but it got away from me.) I’m rereading Charles Taylor’s Sources of the Self and am struck again by the simple profundity of this statement: “We are selves only in that certain issues matter for us. What I am as a … Continue reading A Brief Discourse on Imago Dei: What Makes Us Our Self?
Practically Known Theology 