by John Ellis It’s rare that a conversation with an Uber passenger catches me by surprise. One such conversation happened on a Sunday morning several months ago while giving a ride to a man on his way to church. Per my usual with any Uber passenger on the way to church, I asked questions about … Continue reading Donald Trump, ICE, and the Muzzling of the Church’s Prophetic Voice
Tag: racism
Donald Trump Totalitarian Watch: Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Territory (Unless It’s Named Greenland)
by John Ellis I’m rereading The Radical and the Republican: Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, and the Triumph of Antislavery Politics by James Oakes. It was part of an assigned reading list for a class I took years ago. It’s an excellent book, and one that I’ve read several times since then, although I do believe … Continue reading Donald Trump Totalitarian Watch: Thou Shalt Not Covet Thy Neighbor’s Territory (Unless It’s Named Greenland)
Deadly Worship Services: How Corporate Worship Serves the Curse
by John Ellis As a teaser, I ended my previous article with this quote from Antonin Artaud: “And if there is still one hellish, truly accursed thing in our time, it is our artistic dallying with forms, instead of being like victims burnt at the stake, signaling through the flames.”[1] Artaud’s highly imagistic words underline … Continue reading Deadly Worship Services: How Corporate Worship Serves the Curse
The Profaning of “O Holy Night”
by John Ellis “O Holy Night” is not only one of my favorite Christmas carols, it is also one of my favorite songs across all genres. In my first play after college, a production of The Homecoming by Earl Hamner, Jr., I played the lead Clay-Boy, better known as John-Boy from the TV series The … Continue reading The Profaning of “O Holy Night”
CRT Does Not (Most Likely) Define Racism the Same Way You Do
by John Ellis It should go without saying that defining terms is essential when engaged in argument/discussion. Sadly, though, it apparently needs to be said, both frequently and loudly. Too many are far too quick to bludgeon those with whom they disagree with definitions of terms that those being bludgeoned don’t agree with nor recognize. … Continue reading CRT Does Not (Most Likely) Define Racism the Same Way You Do
Palestine and Israel, Chapter 3 (part 1): The Paris Peace Conference’s Codified Racism
French Premier Georges Clemenceau, American President Woodrow Wilson, and British Prime Minister Lloyd George. by John Ellis The signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, may have officially ended the military battles of World War I, but the fighting was far from over. The carnage, suffering, and demolished infrastructures left in the war’s wake … Continue reading Palestine and Israel, Chapter 3 (part 1): The Paris Peace Conference’s Codified Racism
It’s Time for Christians to Actually Meet Critical Race Theory
by John Ellis Critical Race Theory (CRT) is currently one of the hottest of the hot button issues boiling within evangelicalism. I first became acquainted with it in 2017 when a man in our church began warning the elders (and anyone else who would listen) about its presence in some of the seminaries and para-church … Continue reading It’s Time for Christians to Actually Meet Critical Race Theory
With “Another Wasted Life” Rhiannon Giddens Helps Followers of King Jesus See Injustice (How We Respond Is Up to Us)
by John Ellis As a general rule, my wife and I do not share the same musical taste. Over the years, though, we have discovered bands and musicians that we both enjoy. The brilliant singer, musician, and songwriter Rhiannon Giddens sits near the very top of the list of musicians that my wife and I … Continue reading With “Another Wasted Life” Rhiannon Giddens Helps Followers of King Jesus See Injustice (How We Respond Is Up to Us)
Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America
by John Ellis Michael Emerson and Christian Smith’s book Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America is one of the seminal books in the conversation about race and evangelicalism in this country. Published in 2000, some would argue that the two sociologists’ book is the genesis for the current iteration … Continue reading Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America
Claiming that Africa Shares Responsibility for the Transatlantic Slave Trade Is Historically Deceptive (Not to Mention Racist)
by John Ellis I met Patrick Buchanan in 1996. He was in Greenville, SC, wooing voters for his bid to become the Republican nominee for the presidential election later that year.[1] A friend and fellow student at Bob Jones University had scored an invitation to a private reception for the paleoconservative stalwart. I tagged along. … Continue reading Claiming that Africa Shares Responsibility for the Transatlantic Slave Trade Is Historically Deceptive (Not to Mention Racist)
Practically Known Theology 