Donate to RNS
Support our work
Our top donors

On Faith and Culture

How American Christians can break free from ‘slaveholder religion’
By Jonathan Merritt — May 2, 2018
(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
By Jonathan Merritt — April 11, 2018
Post-enlightenment Christians read this as a story of dogma and doubt. But it is actually a story of thanks.

From hell to atonement, musician Audrey Assad has been quietly evolving
By Jonathan Merritt — April 5, 2018
(RNS) — 'I suppose if there is anything I could say I reject, it is the idea that God’s love and acceptance is dependent on our right belief. I no longer see how that could be possible,' said Audrey Assad.

Why isn’t there a ‘War on Easter’ like Christmas?
By Jonathan Merritt — March 28, 2018
Despite their many similarities, Easter has avoided the controversy that stalks Christmas. Here's why.

Evangelicals haven’t always cozied up to Russia
By Jonathan Merritt — March 21, 2018
(RNS) — A generation ago, evangelical luminaries denounced the Soviet Union and Russian leadership in the strongest possible terms.

Can former journalist Lee Strobel make a convincing case for miracles?
By Jonathan Merritt — March 14, 2018
Former editor for "The Chicago Tribune" compiles evidence to prove miracles. But is it effective to build a logical case for a mystical event?

Advice for dealing with critics — from a religion writer with plenty of them
By Jonathan Merritt — March 9, 2018
If you have courage enough to speak up in this divided and uncivil moment, you'll soon find yourself facing a wave of criticism and resistance.

Responding to American Christianity’s obsession with youth
By Jonathan Merritt — March 1, 2018
Author Andrew Root says, "As the church finds itself with an authenticity deficit, it often runs to youthful forms to legitimate it."

Desiring God, mental health, and the truth about ‘chronological snobbery’
By Jonathan Merritt — February 16, 2018
"Thank God for psychologists and Lexapro," writes Jonathan Merritt. "Without them, I might be dead today."

What living with a death sentence can teach all of us about life
By Jonathan Merritt — February 6, 2018
(RNS) — 'If someone found cancer to be a gift, wonderful. But there is a certain cruelty to asking suffering people to bear the weight of other people’s theological conundrums,' Christian historian Kate Bowler tells RNS' Jonathan Merritt. (Commentary)

Is the ‘evangelical’ label worth preserving or nah?
By Jonathan Merritt — February 2, 2018
Should we abandon the term or work to revive it? Theologian John Stackhouse weighs in.

Nancy Pearcey and Jonathan Merritt spar on the hottest of hot topics
By Jonathan Merritt — January 26, 2018
Pearcey's razor-sharp mind combined with a compelling personal story makes her a powerful, if undervalued, champion for conservatives.

Moving beyond a fear-based faith
By Jonathan Merritt — January 19, 2018
Fear is largely seen as a psychological issue. But it is also a spiritual issue, according to author Benjamin Corey.  

‘Double persecution’: The untold plight of Christian women worldwide
By Jonathan Merritt — January 10, 2018
Every day, six Christian women are reportedly raped, sexually harassed or forced to marry under threat of execution due to their faith.

The 12 most dangerous countries for Christians
By Jonathan Merritt — January 10, 2018
While American Christians are a privileged majority, their brothers and sisters in many places are a persecuted minority. 
← Page 1
Page 2 of 35
Page 3 →
On Faith and Culture
Jonathan Merritt is a senior columnist and contributing editor 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 the author of "Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing - and How We Can Revive Them," "Jesus is Better Than You Imagined," and "A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars." He resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Latest Stories

Opinion
I have faith: A secular response to tragedy
News
Man or robot? Justin Baldoni takes on toxic masculinity in a new book
News
Pagan ‘metaphysical’ shops navigate threats from Christian critics
News
Palestinians, Israel police clash at Al-Aqsa Mosque; 53 hurt
News
For some pastors, the past year was a sign from God it was time to quit