John G. Stackhouse Jr.'s Blog, page 12

Ravi Zacharias as Exemplary Apologist: A Demurral

Some have asked me why, particularly in the pages of The Washington Post, I have not shared in the adulation awarded Ravi Zacharias at his recent passing. I am troubled by the report of his relationship with Lori Anne Thompson. I … Continued

The Final Disillusionment

COVID-19 has been a ruthless teacher. It has rendered many previous assumptions dubious, if not derisory, as it has surfaced corresponding inconvenient truths. Epidemics happen elsewhere. Especially Africa, with Ebola and HIV/AIDS. And Asia, with SARS. Not Europe and North America. … Continued

What Will We Remember from COVID-19?

Housebound, and enjoying a brief respite from the cancer that is killing him, the New Yorker’s longtime art critic Peter Schjeldahl has been pondering Big Questions. Given his profession, his Big Questions might seem rather different than yours or mine. Among them, this … Continued

Can We Thank God Here and Now?

“In everything, give thanks,” commands the Apostle Paul (I Thessalonians 5:18). And, impressively, Paul wrote that sort of thing all the time to the churches under his care, even while he himself was in prison (Philippians 4:6). But seriously: in everything? … Continued

Publisher—or Printer? Christian Nonfiction in a Digital Age

As the shadows lengthen in my career, I field more and more inquiries from younger colleagues about the vagaries of publishing. For those who have a dissertation or other narrowly focused monograph to publish, there is certain advice I can … Continued

Losing Lorna

Alas, a great loss to Canadian broadcasting and to Canadian evangelicalism: the retirement, dreadfully early, of Lorna Dueck. I’ve known Lorna for a couple of decades, but only well for the last half-dozen years. My first encounter with her was … Continued

Advance Notice

And it’s the only one I’ll bother you with on this blog. I’ve just returned the page proofs of my forthcoming book to the publisher, so my work is pretty much done and I await the publication of it in … Continued

How Can We Stop Evil from Happening? Or Is the Question, Will We?

Why did Gabriel Wortman, the Nova Scotian murderer and arsonist, indulge himself repeatedly in the most selfish act one can undertake: ending the life of another person? For, at root, that is what he did: indulge himself at the most … Continued

Will We Learn, or Just Return?

“I’m getting sick of this virus!” the six-year-old said, stamping her little sandals, while the adults wryly chuckled over the ambiguity in her expostulation. Getting back to normal is what she wants. And it’s what so many of us want. … Continued

Why Are They Still Going to Church?

Mainstream North American media recently have scoffed at white American evangelicals for continuing to meet on Sundays while, it seems, the rest of the world is in lockdown. And many of the rest of us, including many Canadian evangelicals, have … Continued