by John Ellis Diversity has become a buzzword among reformed churches over the last couple of decades. While buzziness can bring more heat than light, the desire for churches to reflect the beautiful diversity of God’s Kingdom is good and right. Most often, this desire and the accompanying strategies focus on ethnic diversity. The segregation … Continue reading Respecter of Persons: The Lack of Socio-Economic Diversity on Reformed (White) Evangelical Elder Boards
Tag: Faith
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
Bob Jones University: The End Is Nigh
by John Ellis This morning, Bob Jones University, my almost alma mater, introduced Dr. Bruce McAllister as the school’s seventh president. The announcement was wrapped in a mood of relieved optimism. Watching it live, the whole thing seemed to me like a giant sigh of relief from those who love a version of Bob Jones … Continue reading Bob Jones University: The End Is Nigh
A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 10 “Back at BJU”
(The previous chapters can be found by clicking on A Godless Fundamentalist under Topics on the right hand side of this page. To receive email notifications whenever subsequent chapters are published, hit the follow button.) by John Ellis While standing in the Snack Shop that first evening back after my unanticipated arrival on BJU's campus, … Continue reading A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 10 “Back at BJU”
A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 5
by John Ellis During my transition from a student at a Christian day school to a Bob Jones University student, grunge music and its accompanying culture became my god. It didn’t happen overnight, though. The 1993-94 school year, my senior year, provided me with clarity about my beliefs, or lack thereof, as well as boldness … Continue reading A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 5
A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 4
by John Ellis One of the sad ironies embedded in my authority figures devotion to protecting my testimony was that while they were busy guarding my external actions, Satan was further warping and hardening my rebellious heart of stone. Even if my authority figures had been successful in protecting me from outward acts of sin … Continue reading A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 4
A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 3
by John Ellis Every so often, I wish that my kids could have the schooling experience that I did. My time within the Christian school movement, from kindergarten through high school, was, for the most part, fun and contained a sense of community. I can’t help but wonder if my kids who attend public school … Continue reading A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 3
A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 2
by John Ellis Desiring sympathy and solidarity as we seek an autonomous existence apart from God isn’t new. That’s part of the trap our first parents, Adam and Eve, walked into. In Genesis 3, the Bible calls Serpent-Satan, “crafty.” He is beguiling and a master at feigning understanding through his soothing slither of commiserating words. … Continue reading A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 2
A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 1
by John Ellis On August 2, 1975, I was born for the first time. Interestingly, one of the most vivid metaphors that Jesus used to describe salvation is birth. During a clandestine meeting with a Jewish religious leader, Jesus made the astonishing claim, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he … Continue reading A Godless Fundamentalist: Chapter 1
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
Practically Known Theology 