by John Ellis A little after 2am this morning, I woke up. That’s not unusual; as I approach 50, the platitude “sleep like a baby” makes more and more sense. It makes more and more sense by way of contrast, to be clear. What was semi-unusual about this morning is that I couldn’t get back … Continue reading Should Christians Reject the Word/Concept of Worldview?: Part 2
Tag: Philosophy
Should Christians Reject the Word/Concept of ‘Worldview?’ Yes. Maybe. Yes?
by John Ellis I have grown to dislike and, finally, I think, reject the word/concept of worldview. Paradoxically, it is too tribalistic and not tribalistic enough. I’m going to work backwards and begin with “not tribalistic enough.” Or at least, I’m going to try. As you’ll soon see, I believe, the two sides of the … Continue reading Should Christians Reject the Word/Concept of ‘Worldview?’ Yes. Maybe. Yes?
Eschatological Despair, Part 2
(Read part 1 by clicking here.) by John Ellis For the longest time, Derrida famously refused to allow a photo of himself to be included on his books’ dust jackets. Besides his desire to undercut the fetishization of the author, he also rejected author photos on the basis of what philosopher John McDowell has called … Continue reading Eschatological Despair, Part 2
Art for Art’s Sake is Idolatry
by John Ellis Borrowing and, as his objective suited, warping Aristotle’s aesthetic disinterestedness, Lord Shaftesbury (Anthony Ashley Cooper) helped create the notion of art for art’s sake. The aesthetic ideals of John Locke’s famed pupil prioritized the enjoyment of beauty for beauty’s sake apart from utility. A true response to art does not broach the … Continue reading Art for Art’s Sake is Idolatry
Do You Read Primary Sources? If Not, You Should
by John Ellis I’m enjoying working through Stuart Hackett’s The Resurrection of Theism: Prolegomena to Christian Apologetics. A dense book, in which Dr. Hackett interacts and contends with some of the world’s greatest thinkers throughout the ages as he makes his argument, it does not make for breezy reading. The Resurrection of Theism most likely … Continue reading Do You Read Primary Sources? If Not, You Should
White Evangelicalism’s Race Up the Tower of Babel’s Stairs
by John Ellis Kierkegaard believed that marriage is the “deepest form of revelation.” While not factual, the truth embedded in Kierkegaard’s belief makes forgiving his error well-worth it. The deepest form of revelation is Jesus Christ, and if you want to include the Word, so be it, I will happily concur. In Ephesians 5, though, … Continue reading White Evangelicalism’s Race Up the Tower of Babel’s Stairs
A Secular Age: An Invaluable Book Christians Should Read
by John Ellis Sitting on the table next to my chair are ever rotating stacks of books that I’m reading. Two books, though, as their companions have moved back to their homes on my bookshelves to be replaced by new companions, remain constant: The Bible and A Secular Age. Over the last couple of years, … Continue reading A Secular Age: An Invaluable Book Christians Should Read
Erasing the Sacred/Secular Divide Should Come With a Warning Label
by John Ellis I recently read a news story out of South Carolina about a pizza delivery driver who suffered a seizure during a delivery. Waking up, dazed, injured, and trapped in her car, she found herself in a water-filled ravine. Thankfully, two men who saw her car careen off the road sprang into action, … Continue reading Erasing the Sacred/Secular Divide Should Come With a Warning Label
With Your Vote, Are You Worshipping Religious Liberty or Are You Worshipping Jesus?
by John Ellis “There remains a fundamental tension in Christianity. Flourishing is good, nevertheless seeking it is not our ultimate goal.” Charles Taylor[1] Voting can be a sticky wicket for Christians. Rarely, at least on the national stage, are we presented with options that align comfortably with a conscience informed by the Holy Spirit, God’s … Continue reading With Your Vote, Are You Worshipping Religious Liberty or Are You Worshipping Jesus?
Show Me Your Sources and I’ll Show You Mine: Our Epistemological Crisis
“This book is about the possibility that Huxley, not Orwell, was right.” Neil Postman, Amusing Ourselves to Death by John Ellis After I received an especially bad review, the theatre’s technical director attempted to console me with the words, “Remember, opinions are like a******s; everyone has one, and they mostly stink.” Crude, yet containing much … Continue reading Show Me Your Sources and I’ll Show You Mine: Our Epistemological Crisis
Practically Known Theology 