by John Ellis (This the manuscript for the Equipping Hour - Sunday school - class I taught this morning. Normally, before posting these manuscripts here on this blog, I rewrite it a little bit. Not this time.) Good morning. Welcome to the last class in our series on Ecclesiology. Normally, during our series on topics … Continue reading Eschatological Ecclesiology: Christ’s Bride
Tag: Ecclesiology
Ecclesiology: Polity, Church Offices, and Church and State
by John Ellis (This is the slightly edited manuscript for the Equipping Hour – Sunday school – class I taught last week. It was written with the intention of being spoken and heard. Also, as I told the class last Sunday, I didn’t say everything that could be said about these topics. I was strategic … Continue reading Ecclesiology: Polity, Church Offices, and Church and State
Church History: Ecclesiology and the Reformation (Plus the Awesomeness of the Particular Baptists)
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)
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
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 with a biblically seeming justification, to boot. For a brief time, I was a pastor in a reformed Southern Baptist affiliated church. And I’ve observed in other pastors what … 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 