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.
All Stories by Jonathan Merritt
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.
Charles Manson’s chaplain speaks out amid national death row debate
By Jonathan Merritt — May 19, 2015
After spending years as a chaplain at San Quentin, America's most notorious prison, Reverend Earl Smith concludes, "death is final and the system can be flawed."
Prominent theologian finds joy amid incurable cancer diagnosis
By Jonathan Merritt — May 15, 2015
"The suffering of cancer raises raw questions about God, life, and death," says J. Todd Billings. "In this context, theological clichés are not enough."
The importance of doing your homework
By Jonathan Merritt — May 13, 2015
An ancient rabbi once said that if you prove you can’t be trusted in small things, it will be difficult for others to trust you when it matters most.
Evangelicals’ claims of conservative supremacy are overstated — and misread America’s religious landscape
By Jonathan Merritt — May 13, 2015
A popular evangelical trope is not as true as some assumed. Regardless, evangelicals would do well to focus on reaching people who are apathetic or antagonistic to the claims of Christianity.
Meet the gay celibate Catholic who’s shaking up the sexuality debates: Eve Tushnet talks about self-acceptance
By Jonathan Merritt — May 11, 2015
(RNS) Eve Tushnet created a stir with her book “Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith.” We asked her why it is important to her to self-identify as a lesbian and whether she’s missing something about the uniqueness of erotic intimacy.
Evangelicals want to follow the Global South on gays. They should be careful what they ask for (COMMENTARY)
By Jonathan Merritt — May 8, 2015
(RNS) When it comes to LGBT rights, calls for dialogue with global Christians are more about political posturing than a desire to really listen to our global brothers and sisters.
Follow other nations’ lead on gays? Be careful what you ask for
By Jonathan Merritt — May 8, 2015
It is inconsistent to exploit non-Western perspectives on LGBT rights but refuse to hear those same voices on matters such as nation building, the waging of imperialistic wars, immigration, environmental policy, and foreign aid.
Meet the gay celibate Catholic who’s shaking up the sexuality debates
By Jonathan Merritt — May 6, 2015
Eve Tushnet is a popular blogger and author of "Gay and Christian." But is she missing something about the uniqueness and importance of erotic intimacy?
The solution to situations like Baltimore is somewhat spiritual
By Jonathan Merritt — May 5, 2015
The police captain who directed security operations for the city of Ferguson after Michael Brown’s death says faith may be the secret to solving racially charged conflicts involving law enforcement
Q&A: David Brooks on character, sin and rumors about his religious journey
By Jonathan Merritt — May 1, 2015
NEW YORK (RNS) David Brooks is the rarest breed in politics -- a conservative Jew who's captivated by notions of sin, character and the appeal of liberal Catholic activist Dorothy Day.
BONUS INTERVIEW: NYT’s David Brooks talks humility, technology, and more
By Jonathan Merritt — May 1, 2015
A bonus interview with the New York Times columnist becomes a window into his mind and heart.
David Brooks on morality, theology, and his personal religious journey
By Jonathan Merritt — May 1, 2015
On sensitive moral and theological matters, the "New York Times" columnist is ready to share his thinking. But not completely.
Are Christians dead wrong about the execution of Jesus Christ?
By Jonathan Merritt — April 29, 2015
"Jesus did not teach that God’s wrath burns against us but that God loves us," says theologian Tony Jones. He argues that the traditional Christian view of atonement was largely a medieval invention.
In Boston, engaging both sides of the church’s debate on gays (ANALYSIS)
By Jonathan Merritt — April 24, 2015
BOSTON (RNS) The shift in this year's Q conference reflects the reality that conversations about human sexality do not occur in echo chambers of monologue, isolated from those who disagree.
