James Ernest

Grief and gratitude

My mother died Thursday evening. For me she is an icon of the fruit of the Spirit.

If you are not yet reading Heather Cox Richardson’s daily Letters from an American—why not? I am an ordinary US citizen with the education of a theologian, biblical scholar, and pastor, and I work as a religious book publisher. My interests in current American politics are theological, ecclesial, pastoral. Heather Cox Richardson is a historyContinue reading “Trump-Russia is not a hoax”

How COVID-19 has sorted us out

Thomas Paine wrote: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” The trials of the American Revolution would distinguish the “summer soldier and the sunshine patriot” for the true patriot. Well, any crisis tries the souls of those who live through it. The crisis puts a spotlight on actors who must respond to it, andContinue reading “How COVID-19 has sorted us out”

Christmas, typology, and Antichrist

If anyone invites you to a Christmas celebration honoring “Jesus Christ AND . . .,” run as fast as you can in the opposite direction.

Celebrating the birth of Antichrist in Kentucky

In this nativity scene, what lies in the manger is the serpent. But to Congressman Massie and those who see with like eyes, it is sweet baby Jesus. The gun per se, though it has been used for great evil and in truth was designed for such use, is a tool, an implement. As itsContinue reading “Celebrating the birth of Antichrist in Kentucky”

The real choice

The most basic choice you make is not between left and right, liberal and conservative. Something else is more basic.

Evangelicalism in the USA: Discipleship failure owing to catechesis failure

The components of the recent discipleship disasters in evangelical Christianity in the United States. The evangelical churches were left vulnerable because they did not catechize well.

On labeling and name-calling

There is no good reason to categorize every thought in the world, and every person in the world, using one or the other of two labels. There are very good reasons not to.

What I heard at the school board meeting last night

What I heard and saw at the 10/18/2021 meeting of the Board of Education of Caledonia (MI) Community schools.

Claiming innocence (Psalm 69)

Really, Psalmist? Again? More tears, more moaning, more self-pity? More in number than the hairs of your head? So you have counted them? Either the hairs or the enemies? Good lord, if you had a violin in addition to that harp somebody in your own house would have to shoot you. Are you sure aboutContinue reading “Claiming innocence (Psalm 69)”