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)
Tag: Ecclesiology
Wanting An Audience Is (Can Be) God Honoring
by John Ellis I recently finished rereading Elmer Gantry by Sinclair Lewis, who is one of my favorite authors. The book, a satirical take on Christian fundamentalism in America, earned book bans and burnings across the country as well as threats of violence towards its author. However, being a powerful and incisively cutting, if flawed, … Continue reading Wanting An Audience Is (Can Be) God Honoring
COVID at Two Years of Age: Charting a Path Forward for Followers of King Jesus
by John Ellis Standing on the Cady Way Trail’s walking bridge spanning Semoran Blvd, I watched the cars streaming under me and thought, “Are we ready for what’s about to happen?” It was mid-March of 2020, and COVID’s effects were already starting to ripple out. The news out of Italy was horrendous, but distant. The … Continue reading COVID at Two Years of Age: Charting a Path Forward for Followers of King Jesus
Thoughts on Deconversion Stories From Someone Who Never Wanted to Become a Christian
“Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Romans 9:13 by John Ellis Over the last few years, the phenomenon of deconversion stories from once celebrity “Christians” has swept the social imaginary of conservative evangelicals. And it’s not just celebrity “Christians” who have embraced rebellion. Few evangelicals have been spared from watching family and close friends … Continue reading Thoughts on Deconversion Stories From Someone Who Never Wanted to Become a Christian
White Evangelicalism: Witnesses to the Wrong Resurrection – Introduction
by John Ellis White evangelicals in America have a problem.[1] Well, problems. So much so, in fact, that the fault lines have grown to the point where the white evangelical church in America appears to be on the verge of being rendered irreparably asunder into multiple factions. An argument can be made that these factions … Continue reading White Evangelicalism: Witnesses to the Wrong Resurrection – Introduction
The Idol of Unity Is Undermining the Evangelical Witness
by John Ellis I speak from experience. As a pastor, I elevated unity above honesty, courage, and integrity. Because therein lies the path of least resistance. For a brief time, I was a pastor in a reformed-ish Southern Baptist affiliated church. And I’ve observed in other pastors what I’m about to write. What’s more, pastor … Continue reading The Idol of Unity Is Undermining the Evangelical Witness
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?
Practically Known Theology 