Amish-Mennonite
Becca Stevens believes her ‘farmer’s theology’ can change the world
By Jonathan Merritt — July 17, 2015
"We need to till the earth of our hearts, watering it and weeding the unruly places," says the episcopal priest and founder of Thistle Farms.
Pope Francis, if you’re listening to U.S. critics, start with gun makers
By Jonathan Merritt — July 14, 2015
Pope Francis says he'll open his ears -- and presumably his mind -- to hear his American critics. Here are two places he should start listening.
When she converted from Islam to Christianity, did this woman risk her life?
By Jonathan Merritt — July 9, 2015
Rifqa Bary made headlines when she claimed her Muslim parents threatened to kill her. But a report by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) found discrepancies in Bary's story. Here she shares her story.
‘Judge not’: Jesus said it, but what did he mean?
By Jonathan Merritt — July 6, 2015
One of Jesus most famous teachings is, "Do not judge or you too will be judged." But in the very same chapter of Matthew's Gospel, Jesus also teaches that we should judge people by the "fruit" of their lives. Is judging others an absolute no-no or not?
After gay marriage, expect conservative amnesia
By Jonathan Merritt — July 2, 2015
Often the losers knit together a version of past events that disposes of the more damning details and casts their side in a more favorable light. But when it comes to history, forgetting the facts is a most dangerous delusion.
Afraid of doubt? John Piper’s son says he fears for your faith
By Jonathan Merritt — June 24, 2015
"I refuse to answer questions about God or the Bible with neat constructs or nicely buttoned up answers," Barnabas Piper says. "My aim is to cause a certain amount of discomfort for Christians who've never questioned."
What does it take to forgive someone like Dylann Roof?
By Jonathan Merritt — June 22, 2015
Family members of Emmanuel AME Church shooting victims forgive the suspected killer. How does one serve a feast of forgiveness to a person who hasn’t even ordered a single serving?
3 things you need to know about Southern Baptists’ anti-gay marriage resolution
By Jonathan Merritt — June 18, 2015
The nation's largest Protestant denomination passed an official resolution this week calling on the Supreme Court to "uphold the right of the people to define marriage as exclusively the union of a man and a woman." Here's what you need to know.
Stop making deals with God: An interview with author Doug Pagitt
By Jonathan Merritt — June 17, 2015
We all have stories about God in our head, and some of them are flat out misleading. One of the most common, according to pastor and author Doug Pagitt, goes like this: "If I’m faithful in doing this, then God promises to do that.”
Give Anne Lamott (and the rest of us) a little grace on transgender issues
By Jonathan Merritt — June 12, 2015
Bestselling author Anne Lamott incited public outrage by making offensive comments about Caitlyn Jenner. Jonathan Merritt asks, "Can we not offer each other a little grace in such a moment?"
Nancy Pearcey’s mission to reinvigorate the evangelical mind
By Jonathan Merritt — June 10, 2015
Historian Mark Noll once argued that evangelicalism was an intellectually weak movement. Nancy Pearcey hopes to lead a movement to change that.
Madeleine L’Engle’s foundation awards grant to LGBTQ group from Wheaton College
By Jonathan Merritt — June 5, 2015
OneWheaton is an unofficial LGBTQ advocacy group comprised of alumni and students from America's most prestigious evangelical college. They've just received a grant from the legacy foundation of one of America's most prestigious Christian authors.
Shepherds, shamers, and shunners: The rise of church discipline in America (Part 2)
By Jonathan Merritt — June 4, 2015
Some conservative Christians are promoting a more aggressive approach to church discipline. But others say this approach does more damage than good.
Shepherds, shamers, and shunners: The rise of church discipline in America (Part 1)
By Jonathan Merritt — June 3, 2015
Some conservative Christians are promoting a more aggressive approach to church discipline. But others say this approach does more damage than good.
‘To Write Love on Her Arms’ founder wrestles with faith as he seeks to inspire hope
By Jonathan Merritt — June 1, 2015
"I have a lot more questions now compared to 10 years ago," says Jamie Tworkowski. "I say 'I don't know' more, and I'm okay with that."
