What if that is who we are?
TWO YEARS AGO TODAY, as I watched the chaos unfold at the US Capitol, a strange thought crossed my mind: "That looks very American," I...
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ACROSS THE LINES
My abiding interests are in history, religion and politics, with special emphasis on matters of life and death and on matters of nationalism (as shaped by my work on the US-Mexico border).
These interests may appear unrelated, but they don't feel that way to me.
How do we come to embrace different identities for ourselves?
What are the deep and abiding passions that unite us - and divide us - from one another?
For more, visit this archive of my published writing.
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John Fanestil
- Jan 5, 2022
- 4 min
Who We Are: Oppositional, Conspiracy-Minded & Prone to Violence
Despite concerted attempts to minimize it, the unprecedented attack on the U.S. Capitol one year ago tomorrow has turned January 6 into...
83 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Dec 27, 2021
- 2 min
Soon, Victory! Year-End Reflections on Life & Death ... and Basketball
In its year-end review of stories from California, the New York Times included this article, written by Soumya Karlamangla, about the San...
67 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Oct 12, 2021
- 9 min
White Christian Nationalism in Larger Context
The Deep Roots of Our Current Discontent by John Fanestil (copyright 2021) Standing out among the crowds ransacking the U.S. Capitol on...
105 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Sep 22, 2021
- 4 min
Nathan Hale - the Inside Story of an American Revolutionary
Two hundred forty-five years ago today, Nathan Hale was killed by hanging in New York by British troops under the command of General...
110 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Sep 7, 2021
- 1 min
Reviews ... and you?
Dear friends: I hope you will enjoy, as I did, this full-page review of my new book in Saturday's San Diego Union-Tribune. Below my...
43 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Jul 19, 2021
- 1 min
WORDS CAN'T EXPRESS
Yesterday I gifted my parents a copy of my new book, ONE LIFE TO GIVE: Martyrdom and the making of the American Revolution. In this book...
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John Fanestil
- Jul 6, 2021
- 1 min
THE SOLDIERS' DECLARATION
How did soldiers who fought in the American Revolution experience the Declaration of Independence? Few would have read it, but most...
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John Fanestil
- Jul 3, 2021
- 4 min
Why did Thomas Jefferson Paint King George a Tyrant?
An excerpt from ONE LIFE TO GIVE: Martyrdom and the Making of the American Revolution (Fortress Press, 2021, all rights reserved) The way...
337 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Jun 20, 2021
- 1 min
ONE LIFE TO GIVE is now available for Pre-Order
My new book is now available for pre-order. Pre-order an autographed copy directly from me, order from the publisher Fortress Press, or...
23 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Apr 20, 2021
- 6 min
Making Sense of the Mob - Deciphering the Insurrectionist's Invocation
Within a few days of the most momentous January 6 in American history, many media outlets embraced Jacob Chansley -- a.k.a. Jake Angeli,...
215 views1 comment
John Fanestil
- Apr 3, 2021
- 2 min
Easter and the "Crisis" on the US-Mexico Border
"On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb." - John 20:1 The crisis unfolding on the US-Mexico...
24 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Feb 10, 2021
- 2 min
The Gospel as Obituary, the Obituary as Gospel
Have you ever thought of the Christian gospels as obituaries? In many ways that's what they are - extended accounts of one person's life...
38 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Feb 5, 2021
- 1 min
JOIN ME THIS LENT: Lessons on Living through Trying Times
I have been thinking deeply about what we can learn from the enormous suffering that surrounds us during this time of an historic...
57 views1 comment
John Fanestil
- Jan 29, 2021
- 3 min
JOE BIDEN AND THE BORDER WALL
Opinion published in the San Diego Union-Tribune, January 26, 2021 Donald Trump’s determination to build a “big, beautiful” wall on the...
16 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Jan 14, 2021
- 1 min
AMERICA THE TERRIBLE
O terrible these troubled days, The raging mob in vain Has stormed the hallowed Capitol gates And left a horrid stain! America! America!...
33 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Jan 10, 2021
- 3 min
THE FIRST LINES OF HISTORY - President Donald Trump
Donald J. Trump, the bombastic real estate tycoon and reality TV star who was elected the 45th President of the United States in 2016,...
20 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Jan 1, 2021
- 1 min
WORDS: What this blog is about
The word cloud gives an idea of what I've been writing about the last many years. In my first book, MRS. HUNTER'S HAPPY DEATH: Lessons on...
13 views0 comments
John Fanestil
- Dec 4, 2020
- 1 min
THE ADVENT THAT FEELS LIKE LENT
This is the Advent that feels like Lent With candles illumining not a wreath But a path lined with crosses As far as the eye can see This...
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John Fanestil
- Nov 3, 2020
- 2 min
A CHRISTIAN PRAYER FOR A DIVIDED NATION ON ELECTION DAY
O God, here we are in the USA, casting and counting ballots on this Election Day. Here we are, a nation divided. Lord, have mercy upon...
8 views0 comments
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