Jonathan Merritt
Confucius for Christians? Evangelical college professor learns from unlikely source
By Jonathan Merritt — September 8, 2015
There are Christians, and there are Confucians. But according to Gregg Ten Elshof, there should also be "Confucian Christians."
Christian moviemakers opt for black cast after glut of whitewashed Bible films
By Jonathan Merritt — August 12, 2015
The movie industry has a long history of casting white actors to play African and Middle Eastern Bible characters. But religious audiences can witness a stark departure from this trend when Sony's “War Room” hits theaters on August 28.
Southern Baptists cozy up to GOP after pulling back
By Jonathan Merritt — July 24, 2015
Southern Baptists are platforming Jeb Bush and Marco Rubio at their forthcoming mission conference, but in April they disinvited Ben Carson from their pastors' conference. When it comes to partisanship, it looks like America's largest Protestant denomination has taken one step forward and two steps back.
Some say Apostle Paul was sexist, but this mainline mega-pastor calls him ‘an exemplar’
By Jonathan Merritt — July 21, 2015
Pastor of America's most influential mainline Protestant church wants Christians to give the Apostle Paul a second look. "Paul gives us an exemplar for the way in which God calls all believers to live," he says.
‘Judge not’: Jesus said it, but what did he mean?
By Jonathan Merritt — July 6, 2015
One of Jesus most famous teachings is, "Do not judge or you too will be judged." But in the very same chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus also teaches that we should judge people by the "fruit" of their lives. Is judging others an absolute no-no or not?
Afraid of doubt? John Piper’s son says he fears for your faith
By Jonathan Merritt — June 24, 2015
"I refuse to answer questions about God or the Bible with neat constructs or nicely buttoned up answers," Barnabas Piper says. "My aim is to cause a certain amount of discomfort for Christians who've never questioned."
What does it take to forgive someone like Dylann Roof?
By Jonathan Merritt — June 22, 2015
Family members of Emmanuel AME Church shooting victims forgive the suspected killer. How does one serve a feast of forgiveness to a person who hasn’t even ordered a single serving?
3 things you need to know about Southern Baptists’ anti-gay marriage resolution
By Jonathan Merritt — June 18, 2015
The nation's largest Protestant denomination passed an official resolution this week calling on the Supreme Court to "uphold the right of the people to define marriage as exclusively the union of a man and a woman." Here's what you need to know.
Stop making deals with God: An interview with author Doug Pagitt
By Jonathan Merritt — June 17, 2015
We all have stories about God in our head, and some of them are flat out misleading. One of the most common, according to pastor and author Doug Pagitt, goes like this: "If I’m faithful in doing this, then God promises to do that.”
Give Anne Lamott (and the rest of us) a little grace on transgender issues
By Jonathan Merritt — June 12, 2015
Bestselling author Anne Lamott incited public outrage by making offensive comments about Caitlyn Jenner. Jonathan Merritt asks, "Can we not offer each other a little grace in such a moment?"
Nancy Pearcey’s mission to reinvigorate the evangelical mind
By Jonathan Merritt — June 10, 2015
Historian Mark Noll once argued that evangelicalism was an intellectually weak movement. Nancy Pearcey hopes to lead a movement to change that.
Madeleine L’Engle’s foundation awards grant to LGBTQ group from Wheaton College
By Jonathan Merritt — June 5, 2015
OneWheaton is an unofficial LGBTQ advocacy group comprised of alumni and students from America's most prestigious evangelical college. They've just received a grant from the legacy foundation of one of America's most prestigious Christian authors.
‘To Write Love on Her Arms’ founder wrestles with faith as he seeks to inspire hope
By Jonathan Merritt — June 1, 2015
"I have a lot more questions now compared to 10 years ago," says Jamie Tworkowski. "I say 'I don't know' more, and I'm okay with that."
After being trapped inside his own body for a decade, ‘ghost boy’ shares how faith sustained him
By Jonathan Merritt — May 28, 2015
A strange illness sent Martin Pistorius into a vegetative state where, unknown to those around him, he could still perceive and hear everything around him. A decade later, he emerged to tell the story of faith amid despair.
Who are ‘the least of these’? Scholars say Mother Teresa and others may be wrong
By Jonathan Merritt — May 22, 2015
The common understanding of Jesus’ famous phrase may be inaccurate and inconsistent with the way most Christians throughout history have understood it.
