by John Ellis I wrote and posted this article on my previous blog a few months ago (October 2019). It’s a topic that continues to concern me. And it’s a topic that exists within a larger cultural framework that prioritizes this earthly kingdom’s concerns over that of the Eternal Kingdom’s concerns. During a long phone … Continue reading The Gospel’s Relation to Social Justice and Mercy Ministries
Tag: Bible
The Necessity of Christ’s Active Obedience in Salvation
by John Ellis During membership interviews at my previous church, the elders ask the prospective member to briefly share the gospel. It’s not asked as a membership test; if you forget to include Jesus’ Resurrection, you don’t fail and aren’t prevented from joining the church. The question is asked because the gospel is central to … Continue reading The Necessity of Christ’s Active Obedience in Salvation
President Trump: ‘We Have God on Our Side’
by John Ellis Our President who has famously boasted that he doesn’t have any need to repent is now crowing that, “we have God on our side.” Presuming to speak for God, President Trump made his assertion to a crowd of his adoring worshipers at the inaugural “Evangelicals for Trump” event held at a megachurch … Continue reading President Trump: ‘We Have God on Our Side’
Death’s Unnatural Intrusion Into Childhood
(I wrote this in early 2016, and it remains one of my favorite articles that I've written.) by John Ellis Assuming normal physiology, humans don’t begin to taste deeply of physical death until sometime in their twenties. The day to day existence of children is punctuated by life. The brain is awakening – new sounds, … Continue reading Death’s Unnatural Intrusion Into Childhood
‘The Walking Dead’ and Christianity: Morality Did Not Evolve
“If we humans are simply biological bundles of phenomenally experienced pain and pleasure that constitute happiness and unhappiness, why be obliged to maximize general happiness?”[1] Christian Smith by John Ellis Herbert Spencer’s famed Darwinian maxim “survival of the fittest” has proven quite problematic for material positivists, not to mention problematic for the general well-being of … Continue reading ‘The Walking Dead’ and Christianity: Morality Did Not Evolve
Being Saved versus Am Saved
by John Ellis The colloquial aphorism "saved by the skin of your teeth" was an integral part of the theological lexicon of my youth. To be clear, it wasn’t part of my personal lexicon; I wasn't saved in any capacity. It was, however, uttered on a fairly regular basis by the preachers, Bible teachers, and … Continue reading Being Saved versus Am Saved
Does Divorce and Remarriage Disqualify a Man From Being a Pastor?
by John Ellis As someone who is divorced, remarried, and who has served as a pastor, this question is not abstract for me. Years ago when I was first approached about the possibility of serving as a pastor, I initially balked because of my divorce and remarriage. In fact, I resisted becoming a pastor for … Continue reading Does Divorce and Remarriage Disqualify a Man From Being a Pastor?
Theology from My Back Patio
by John Ellis Theology shouldn't be reserved for the professionals. But it is. An argument can be made from history that, unfortunately, this sad reality has been the norm throughout much of the history of the Church. Today, as 2019 comes to a close, it doesn't appear to be any less the unfortunate reality than … Continue reading Theology from My Back Patio
Practically Known Theology 