by John Ellis Earlier today, I published a short, anti-Trump diatribe (anti-totalitarianism diatribe, to be fair) in response to the White House’s letter to the Smithsonian Institute. The letter informs the Smithsonian that the White House will be reviewing exhibits, materials, and programs to ensure that they conform to President Trump’s definition of American exceptionalism … Continue reading Donald Trump, Bob Jones University, and Fundamentalist-styled Historical Revisionism
Tag: Christian Nationalism
Donald Trump Totalitarian Watch
by John Ellis Fresh on the heels of Trump's Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth sharing (and praising) a video of proud Christian nationalist and low-key defender of slavery Douglas Wilson saying, among other things, that women shouldn't be allowed to vote, the President continues to embrace his inner dictator. Yesterday, the White House sent the … Continue reading Donald Trump Totalitarian Watch
What Christian Nationalists Have in Common with Lenin
by John Ellis (Edit on 8/19/25: I'm currently rereading Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts by Marx and realized that I made a small error. Marx didn't believe that communism was necessarily the final stage for humans. He believed that it was impossible to know when/what the final stage, if there ever is one, will be. So, … Continue reading What Christian Nationalists Have in Common with Lenin
The Syncretism of American Mythologies and White Evangelicalism
by John Ellis Several years ago, while living in Arlington, VA, a church member approached me with a concern about my use of the title king for Jesus. It wasn’t so much the title as my near constant use of it. Whenever I prayed publicly, preached, taught Sunday school, etc., I made it a point … Continue reading The Syncretism of American Mythologies and White Evangelicalism
Consumerism Sits at the Center of White Evangelicalism
by John Ellis Readers of this blog are (should be) aware of my thoughts on white evangelicalism. The deeper I dive into the history of the movement, the more convinced I’ve become that white evangelicalism is a false religion. This past summer, historian Matthew Sutton published an article in Oxford Academic: Journal of the American … Continue reading Consumerism Sits at the Center of White Evangelicalism
John Fea Takes on Jack Hibbs Claim that George Washington Would be Included in the Bible if It Were Written Today
by John Ellis John Fea is an evangelical historian who is professor of history and chair of the history department at Messiah University in Pennsylvania. As an evangelical scholar, he takes flak from both his right and his left. I don't agree with everything he says (which is true of every historian I read) but … Continue reading John Fea Takes on Jack Hibbs Claim that George Washington Would be Included in the Bible if It Were Written Today
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?
by John Ellis July 4th is upon us. For many Americans, it’s a High Holy Day complete with a baptism of cheap beer, communion with hotdogs, and a doxology of fireworks as they celebrate the founding of what they believe is the greatest nation on earth. There is a large subset within those celebrants who … Continue reading Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?
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?
The Quixotic Pursuit of Pluralism Leads Into a Tower of Babel
by John Ellis The contemporary embrace of book banning reminds me of the adage that if you wait long enough your clothes will come back in style. Making that connection, though, may require the surrender of the belief that pluralism is part of this country’s warp and woof. I surrendered that belief a while ago, … Continue reading The Quixotic Pursuit of Pluralism Leads Into a Tower of Babel
Discipling the Christian Nationalists in Our Churches
Donald Trump as the Promised Seed of Genesis 3:15 by John Ellis Yesterday, I saw a clip of pseudo-historian David Barton claiming that the US Constitution is based on God’s words. His point was that only true Christians can govern in ways that allow for the Christian nature of the Constitution to fulfill its purpose. … Continue reading Discipling the Christian Nationalists in Our Churches
Practically Known Theology 