Jonathan Merritt
Jonathan Merritt is senior columnist for Religion News Service and a contributing writer for The Atlantic. He has published more than 2500 articles in outlets like USA Today, The Week, Buzzfeed and National Journal. Jonathan is author of "Jesus is Better Than You Imagined" and "A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars." He resides in Brooklyn, NY.
Eugene Peterson authorized biography backs up that ‘yes’ on LGBTQ inclusion
(RNS) — When Peterson died in 2018, many wondered what he actually thought about same-sex relationships.
Biden’s first 100 days: What’s not for evangelicals to like?
(RNS) — Biden’s agenda for his first 100 days shares many concerns championed by white evangelicals.
Liberty University football team realizes Falwell’s winning vision, but at what cost?
(RNS) — Liberty is one of three teams in the running for the NCAA’s top tier playoffs.
It’s time to rescue the ‘pro-life’ label from anti-abortion activists
(RNS) — The ‘pro-life’ term was once a moral call to arms, but it has become a mere political checkbox.
How will the post-pandemic church pay the bills?
(RNS) — The pandemic may accelerate a long-term decline in congregational giving and force churches to develop new sources of revenue to survive.
Evangelicals perfected cancel culture. Now it’s coming for them.
(RNS) — One Alabama megachurch preacher is experiencing a cautionary tale about a central spiritual idea: What goes around comes around.
Al Mohler, Southern Baptist leader, says he was ‘stupid’ to defend slavery in 1998 CNN interview
(RNS) — The Rev. Al Mohler, longtime Southern Baptist leader, repudiated past comments defending slavery, calling them ‘stupid,’ says he is ashamed of seminary title with a link to slaveholder.
Mohler’s turn to Trump is the crowning flip-flop of his career
(RNS) — Many, including Mohler’s friends and colleagues, have pointed out that his decision to favor Trump is consistent with a career marked as much by ambition as conviction.
From dating to the workplace, the ancient Enneagram can transform relationships
(RNS) — The Enneagram has recently developed a cult following and is now being used to help people form healthy relationships.
Paige Patterson has resigned. Imagine if he were Tim Cook.
(RNS) — Many of the secular communities in America that Southern Baptists have painted as evil possess more moral courage than they do.
What Alcoholics Anonymous could teach Paige Patterson
The beleaguered baptist leader should join a 12-step program. It might teach him how to make amends.
On Mother’s Day, let’s listen to our moms’ cries for justice
(RNS) — “We cannot honor our mothers in this #MeToo moment without listening to the cries of generations of women who have suffered sexual violence and domestic abuse because of an unrighteous order that we imagined to be from God,” writes Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove.
Why Paige Patterson’s apology may not be enough
(RNS) — Southern Baptists cannot move on because they’ve been thrust into a larger cultural conversation.
How American Christians can break free from ‘slaveholder religion’
(RNS) — It’s been 150 years since the Civil War ended, but does the racist theology remain?
‘Doubting Thomas’ story is about gratitude, not doubt
Post-enlightenment Christians read this as a story of dogma and doubt. But it is actually a story of thanks.
