Chris Herlinger

Chris Herlinger is an author at Religion News Service.

All Stories by Chris Herlinger

Dartmouth physicist, known for doubting skeptics, wins 2019 Templeton Prize

By Chris Herlinger — March 19, 2019

(RNS) — Gleiser, the first Latin American to win the award honoring contributions to "affirming life’s spiritual dimension," describes himself as an agnostic but is an avowed critic of atheism.

Lord Jonathan Sacks wins Templeton Prize

By Chris Herlinger — March 2, 2016

(RNS) The former chief rabbi of England became a prominent public figure in advocating for religious institutions to turn away from extremism in an era of terrorism and violence.

In Catholic Colombia, LGBT people find growing acceptance

By Chris Herlinger — August 24, 2015

BOGOTA, Colombia (RNS) Not long ago, the thought of a transgender person speaking openly to a Catholic priest here would have seemed unthinkable. Now cultural shifts are making way for LGBT acceptance.

Jean Vanier, friend of developmentally disabled, wins Templeton Prize

By Chris Herlinger — March 11, 2015

(RNS) Jean Vanier believes that people with developmental disabilities offer spiritual lessons and gifts to a world too driven by success and power.

Garden of Eden exhibit takes artists back to where it all began

By Chris Herlinger — August 5, 2014

NEW YORK (RNS) Even with archetypes that are so well-known, the themes contained in Genesis about the storied paradise where it all began can still capture the imagination of contemporary artists, who find in it new echoes, meanings and insights.

Czech priest, philosopher Tomas Halik wins 2014 Templeton Prize

By Chris Herlinger — March 13, 2014

(RNS) Saying he dislikes dogmatic figures on either end of the religious spectrum, Tomas Halik said his work is aimed at “seekers,” the segment of those asking questions about religious and spiritual issues but unaffiliated with religion or atheism.

Marc Chagall’s Jesus paintings focus of Jewish Museum exhibit

By Chris Herlinger — January 17, 2014

(RNS) The first U.S. exhibition exploring the "darker works" of Marc Chagall (1887-1985) shows a Jewish artist obsessed with Jesus.

Desmond Tutu wins 2013 Templeton Prize for work on forgiveness

By Chris Herlinger — April 4, 2013

(RNS) The back-to-back wins by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu signal a shift for the Templeton Prize, which in recent years had gone to little-known physicists and theologians.

Exhibit highlights blacks’ connection to Scripture

By Chris Herlinger — February 26, 2013

NEW YORK (RNS) One fact is unmistakable after seeing a new exhibit of African American art at New York's Museum of Biblical Art: Biblical narratives have been the key constant in the lives of African-American Christians.

Christian left sees optimism in Obama’s second term

By Chris Herlinger — February 8, 2013

(RNS) Heartened by his inaugural calls for gay rights and for bold action on climate change, those on the U.S. Christian left are confident that Barack Obama will now claim the progressive legacy they believe he craves.

Exhibit highlights Tiffany’s lasting impact on American church design

By Chris Herlinger — December 5, 2012

NEW YORK (RNS) An exhibit at the Museum of Biblical Art in New York City reveals a spiritual side of master designer and craftsman Louis C. Tiffany, the man responsible for decorating some of the nation's landmark churches. By Chris Herlinger.

Soldiers’ Bibles exhibit a walk through American history

By Chris Herlinger — May 2, 2012

NEW YORK (RNS) The Museum of Biblical Art's exhibition, "Finding Comfort in Difficult Times: A Selection of Soldiers' Bibles'' is like a ruminative walk in which a piece of American religious history comes alive. By Chris Herlinger.

About that modern music: Would Benedict approve?

By Chris Herlinger — April 21, 2008

Among the locales Pope Benedict’s limousine passed Saturday evening on Manhattan’s Upper East Side was the Park Avenue Armory, a large 1881 building whose Drill Hall, reminiscent of a huge, cavernous European train shed, is slowly being turned into a performing arts space. As it turns out, a concert of sacred music by the great […]

“You Rock!”

By Chris Herlinger — April 19, 2008

As more than one commentator has pointed out, Pope Benedict – German intellectual, scholar and theologian-may never match his charismatic predecessor’s claim on public affection. However, that may be changing, at least in the city hosting the pope this weekend. The New York Post, that bell-weather of New York tabloid coverage, today features a full, […]

Was the pope talking about Darfur?