Bob Smietana
Bob Smietana is a veteran religion writer and national reporter for Religion News Service.
All Stories by Bob Smietana
New Tim Keller Center for Apologetics hopes to help churches reach a changing country
By Bob Smietana — February 7, 2023
(RNS) — Named for the popular author and retired pastor, the new center hopes to help churches deal with a ‘post-Christendom’ America.
After 30 years, Buddhist-inspired message of ‘Groundhog Day’ still holds spiritual power
By Bob Smietana — February 2, 2023
WOODSTOCK, Ill. (RNS) — Part Hollywood love story and part secular spiritual parable, the 1993 film shows life can be better if we pay attention.
American Atheists board members exit, dogged by misconduct allegations
By Bob Smietana — February 1, 2023
(RNS) — Several fans have accused popular atheist podcaster Andrew Torrez, who recently stepped down from the board of American Atheists, of harassment.
His art was an act of ‘sacred listening’ says ‘Portraits in Faith’ photographer
By Bob Smietana — January 27, 2023
(RNS)— A selection of Daniel Epstein's portraits is now on display as part of an exhibit called 'See the Other,' at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools.
‘He Gets Us’ organizers hope to spend $1 billion to promote Jesus. Will anyone care?
By Bob Smietana — January 26, 2023
(RNS)—This year’s Super Bowl will feature a $20 million pair of pro-Jesus ads promoting the idea that Jesus ‘gets us,’ part of the larger ‘He Gets Us’ campaign. Organizers hope to spend a billion dollars in the next three years to redeem Jesus’ brand.
YouVersion Bible app hires former Facebook exec to fuel growth
By Bob Smietana — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — Now in its 15th year, the team behind the popular Bible app has big plans for the future.
At Boston-area church, a theology lab tackles complex topics with humility, curiosity
By Bob Smietana — January 19, 2023
(RNS) — In recent years, Highrock Church has held a series of conversations about topics such as Black theology and American evangelicalism — hoping to model conversations where people with differing points of view can listen to one another.
Johnny Hunt, disgraced former SBC pastor, makes defiant return to the pulpit
By Bob Smietana — January 18, 2023
(RNS) — Hunt told a Florida megachurch that false allegations had ruined his life but he still has faith in Jesus.
Federal court dismisses LGBTQ students’ class-action discrimination lawsuit
By Kathryn Post and Bob Smietana — January 13, 2023
(RNS) — The lawsuit claimed that the US Department of Education failed to protect LGBTQ+ students at religious schools from discrimination.
Diane Langberg on church leaders and abuse: ‘We have utterly failed God’
By Bob Smietana — January 12, 2023
(RNS) — For five decades, psychologist Diane Langberg has worked with survivors of abuse and trauma. She remains amazed by their courage — and dismayed by the way church leaders have failed survivors of abuse.
Dispute over abuse hotline reveals how far the SBC still has to go
By Bob Smietana — January 11, 2023
(RNS) — A group of Southern Baptist leaders is working to implement a set of reforms to respond better to sexual abuse. But many survivors still distrust them.
Chicago pastor James Meeks bids a tearful farewell after 38 years at Salem Baptist
By Bob Smietana — January 9, 2023
(RNS) — After 38 years as a pastor, Meeks said he wanted to leave while his church was still doing well. The Rev. Charlie Dates, who grew up at Salem, will become pastor of one of Chicago's largest congregations. The farewell service was attended by politicians and friends, including Jesse Jackson and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Who are the Christian nationalists? A taxonomy for the post-Jan. 6 world
By Bob Smietana — January 6, 2023
(RNS) — A guide to emerging Christian nationalist voices.
More Americans stay away from church as pandemic nears year three
By Bob Smietana — January 5, 2023
(RNS) — Many Americans already had dropped out of church life before the pandemic. COVID-19 gave them a reason to let go completely, according to a new survey.
In Haiti, a crisis of violence, chaos, and cholera goes largely ignored by outside world
By Bob Smietana — December 27, 2022
(RNS) — Charities do what they can to help the impoverished nation, but international action is needed to bring order and restore infrastructure, experts on the ground say.
