On Faith and Culture

Forget ‘Happy Holidays.’ Let’s talk about Congress this Christmas.
Talking about public policy may not seem like a festive activity, but it is sorely needed.

After Roy Moore, evangelicals must trade wishful thinking for soul-searching
Some people choose to live in houses filled with covered mirrors, but Christians cannot afford to be those kinds of people.

Amid a sex abuse crisis, a new conservative Christian vision for womanhood?
Julie Roys says feminism may have contributed to our current crisis and fundamentalists may be making it worse.

Needed: A coalition of feminists and conservative Christians
It is time for the two groups to set aside their differences and unite for the common good.

A funeral director says many churches (unknowingly) promote a ‘death negative’ narrative
Caleb Wilde says many churches teach that “death, and our mortality, is at heart both shameful and has little to no redeeming value.”

Against Clarity: A progressive Christian opposes rating churches on LGBT acceptance
(RNS) — ‘Human sexuality is not,’ writes Barbara G. Wheeler, ‘the decisive issue that determines whether a church body is acceptable or not.’ (COMMENTARY)

Why pastor Robert Jeffress’ interview with Sean Hannity was so maddening to so many
(RNS) — Who knew that a simple meeting between a preacher and a pundit would be so controversial? But it starts to make sense when you consider the preacher. And the pundit. And the meeting itself. (COMMENTARY)

Church Clarity pressures pastors and churches to disclose views on homosexuality
(RNS) — Prominent pastors are finding themselves on the hot seat thanks to a new group’s efforts to call out leaders who lack clear stances, writes Jonathan Merritt. (COMMENTARY)

Alan Jacobs’ antidote to Christian anti-intellectualism
“if you don’t care what anyone else thinks about you, you can easily find yourself locked in an echo-chamber,” Jacobs says.

First Look: Trump talks Israel on Mike Huckabee’s new TBN show
Trump’s peace plan, the president says, will be decided “in the not-too-distant future” and “everybody says it is not going to work.”

The gospel for gun-loving Christians
How exactly can someone do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly while carrying a deadly assault rifle? asks David Gringor in a commentary.

Sociologist Rodney Stark gets cranky about religion
(RNS) — The man who defended the Crusades talks about the definition of religion, the nature of atheism and the benefit of heresy.

What is the ‘Enneagram,’ and why are Christians suddenly so enamored by it?
Everything you wanted to know about the Enneagram but are afraid to ask.

Take a deep breath. The Nashville Statement won’t change anything
(RNS) — ‘A closer look at this statement reveals a number of fatal flaws, which are likely to render it impotent,’ writes Jonathan Merritt.

Brian Zahnd: No, God didn’t command genocide in the Old Testament
The following is an adaptation from “Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God.” I have decided to feature it here because it was one of the most profound and readable theological reflections that I’ve encountered in my life. I highly recommend that you order it. Even a casual reader of the Bible notices that […]
