by John Ellis By all accounts, hookworm is nasty. An intestinal parasite, victims suffer from diarrhea, pain, lethargy, and debilitating anemia. For most of human history, hookworm was relegated to the African continent and was non-lethal owing to the levels of immunity built up over generations. That changed after, “Western doctors first realized how dangerous … Continue reading Hookworm and the Idol of Liberty
Tag: epistemology
Introduction to the Psalms: The Anatomy of the Soul
(Note: this is my somewhat rewritten manuscript for the Sunday school class – or “equipping hour”, as we call it at my church – I taught. It’s the first class in a ten-week series on the Psalms.) by John Ellis “Dance first. Think later. It’s the natural order.” Samuel Beckett Outside of the Psalms, or … Continue reading Introduction to the Psalms: The Anatomy of the Soul
The Ten Articles of 2022 I Wish Had Been Read by More People
by John Ellis Over the course of 2022, I wrote 68 articles (not counting this one) – using almost 146,000 words. Looking back over those articles, I’m proud of many of them and only see a few I wish I hadn’t written or that need serious rewriting. Among the article I’m proud of are quite … Continue reading The Ten Articles of 2022 I Wish Had Been Read by More People
Discipling 101: Maybe Have a Beer Instead of Doing a Book Study
by John Ellis This is going to be short (and not the totality of my thoughts about discipling). My objective doesn’t need a lot of words because it ain’t complicated. So, let’s get to it: Programs, action plans, and curriculum aren’t very conducive for discipling because everyone’s discipling needs are different. How can you plan/program … Continue reading Discipling 101: Maybe Have a Beer Instead of Doing a Book Study
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
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by John Ellis We’re one day closer to Putin launching his nukes. While it may not necessarily be inevitable, it’s likely not even probably inevitable, but the beats of history make it sound inevitable. That’s a bold claim – a thuddingly dramatic opening sentence, I know – but if you haven’t heard, Putin has begun … Continue reading Untitled
Losing Cultural Hegemony Leaves Fascism as the Most Viable Option for Retaining Power: Here’s Looking at You, GOP!
by John Ellis The leaders of the anti-CRT/anti-social justice movement’s game plan relies on the effectiveness of scare-words as a control mechanism. I debated adding a charitable qualifier to my accusation, something like “many” or “a vocal contingent,” but after thinking through it, I concluded that even those who are operating in good faith are … Continue reading Losing Cultural Hegemony Leaves Fascism as the Most Viable Option for Retaining Power: Here’s Looking at You, GOP!
Are Republicans an Existential Threat to this Country? (Part 1)
by John Ellis While reading Michael Korda’s biography of Dwight D. Eisenhower, IKE: An American Hero, I was struck by how basic competency is merely the baseline for successful leadership; high levels of sagacity in particular areas are also demanded. Scanning the landscape of generals on hand in the early 1940s, both American and British, … Continue reading Are Republicans an Existential Threat to this Country? (Part 1)
Lessons Christians in America Can Learn from ‘Coolidge’ by Amity Shlaes
“If the federal government were to go out of business, the common run of people would not detect the difference.” Calvin Coolidge By John Ellis Calvin Coolidge is a hero (maybe the hero) for old-school conservatives who still stubbornly cling to the classical liberalism that was long valued but now scorned by the bulk of … Continue reading Lessons Christians in America Can Learn from ‘Coolidge’ by Amity Shlaes
The Second Amendment: Conservative’s Moloch
Image by Otto Pankok (1893-1966) by John Ellis A mere twenty-seven words hold this nation hostage. Well known, but not necessarily understood, the Second Amendment states, “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Those words, … Continue reading The Second Amendment: Conservative’s Moloch
Practically Known Theology 