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
Christian writer Margaret Feinberg shares breast cancer struggles, lessons on joy
By Jonathan Merritt — January 14, 2015
(RNS) Feinberg decided to see the experience as an opportunity to rediscover a cornerstone Christian virtue: joy.
Did God command genocide in the Bible?
By Jonathan Merritt — January 12, 2015
Can you imagine someone ripping a newborn baby from its mother's breast and severing its head from it's body? The Bible seems to say that God once commanded such actions.
Why this Christian author had to change her name
By Jonathan Merritt — January 9, 2015
This popular blogger and author changed her name after she experienced an unexpected life change. Now she's getting honest about her struggles with her conservative Christian audience.
Persecution of Christians reached historic levels in 2014. Will 2015 be worse?
By Jonathan Merritt — January 7, 2015
(RNS) Muslim extremists are the primary drivers of Christian persecution worldwide.
Persecution of Christians reached record high in 2014. Will 2015 be worse?
By Jonathan Merritt — January 7, 2015
100 million Christians worldwide now face persecution because of their faith. Some blame the rise of Islamic radicalism and inaction by the Obama administration.
If the Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage in 2015, how will evangelicals respond?
By Jonathan Merritt — January 5, 2015
(RNS) “A Supreme Court ruling might be the last word in legal terms," Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore said, "but it is hardly the last word in cultural or spiritual terms.”
If the Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage in 2015, how will evangelicals respond?
By Jonathan Merritt — January 5, 2015
(RNS) “A Supreme Court ruling might be the last word in legal terms," Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore said, "but it is hardly the last word in cultural or spiritual terms.”
Seeing the Gospels through a Jewish lens: An interview with Amy-Jill Levine
By Jonathan Merritt — January 2, 2015
A historian at Vanderbilt University says modern Christians may be missing the point of some of Jesus' most popular parables.
Billy Graham’s grandson warns against New Year’s resolutions
By Jonathan Merritt — January 1, 2015
Never shying away from controversy, Tullian Tchividjian is picking another fight--this time, with New Years resolutions. He says the practice of setting them can be spiritually damaging.
How Christians forgot Jesus’ Jewishness, and why they should recover it
By Jonathan Merritt — December 29, 2014
Jesus was not the first Christian; he was a faithful practicing Jewish person. According to one Catholic historian, forgetting this fact has severe consequences.
Countdown to Santa: How to keep Christ in Christmas tomorrow
By Jonathan Merritt — December 24, 2014
Author Amy Julia-Becker gives three surprising ways to honor Christmas' religious roots. Hint: It won't require swearing off gift giving.
10 inaccuracies plaguing the ‘Exodus’ movie
By Jonathan Merritt — December 19, 2014
Ridley Scott's epic film deviates from the biblical narrative in at least these 10 places.
Prominent pastor: “The Spirit inside of you is better than Jesus beside you”
By Jonathan Merritt — December 17, 2014
Mega-church pastor J.D. Greear has been quietly amassing influence among conservative evangelicals. Now, he's making waves with a new book about the Holy Spirit.
‘Exodus’ underwhelms at box office. Did #BoycottExodusMovie work?
By Jonathan Merritt — December 15, 2014
On CNN, RNS' Jonathan Merritt discusses Exodus' race problem, which he believes may have contributed to its underwhelming opening weekend.
How (not) to respond to grieving friends: An interview with Sara Hagerty
By Jonathan Merritt — December 12, 2014
The popular author shares valuable lessons she learned from years of wrestling with marital difficulties, financial pressure, and a brutal battle with infertility.
