Christianity
Transgender issues are more complicated than some Christians portray
By Jonathan Merritt — August 19, 2013
Some Christians' portrayals of transgender issues seem to leave out critical pieces of the puzzle.
Faith and the fight to get sober: An interview with Heather Kopp
By Jonathan Merritt — July 26, 2013
Heather Kopp, a former self-described "Christian drunk," shares her incredible story of faith and recovery.
‘Pagan’ is getting a makeover. Not everyone got the memo.
By David Gibson — July 11, 2013
(RNS) As the monotheistic Abrahamic religions began to spread, “pagan” took on negative connotations as the antithesis of the “true faith” of the monotheists. Pagans were polytheists who believed in various gods and held to questionable moral codes.
REVIEW: ‘The Lone Ranger’ remake thrashes Christianity
By Jeffrey Weiss — July 9, 2013
(RNS) If “Man of Steel” panders to Christians, in “The Lone Ranger,” Christians are portrayed as unattractive, ineffectual, hateful or flat-out hypocritically evil.
Superman: Jesus figure or ‘anti-Christ’?
By David Gibson — June 27, 2013
(RNS) Superman has always been identified with Jesus, which is why Warner Bros. Pictures made a big pitch to churches and pastors to get the flock to see the new “Man of Steel” movie. But many Christians are leaving the theater saying this Superman isn’t Jesus; he’s "the anti-Christ."
The church in a land of climate change
By Jonathan Merritt — May 29, 2013
In places like Malawi, the Church may hold the key to addressing climate concerns.
Jackie Robinson’s faith missing from ’42’ movie
By Eric Metaxas — April 12, 2013
(RNS) The new biopic about Jackie Robinson, the Dodger great who broke baseball’s color line, opened Friday (April 12). But there's a mysterious hole at the center of this otherwise worthy film: Robinson’s faith, which was integral to his success.
Is Francis the first Protestant Pope?
By Jonathan Merritt — April 10, 2013
Many Protestants are warming to Pope Francis. Could this newfound affection lead to mending fences between the estranged Christian bodies?
Christian leaders mourn with Rick Warren over son’s suicide
By Jonathan Merritt — April 6, 2013
Christian leaders from across the spectrum express their sadness and support over Pastor Rick Warren's son's suicide.
Marcus Mumford & the trouble with labels
By Cathleen Falsani — April 3, 2013
(RNS) Labels can be helpful when, for instance, applied to cans of soup or barrels of toxic waste. But they are less so when affixed to human beings -- particularly when labels are meant to summarize one's spiritual identity.
To NC Republicans seeking to establish an official state religion: Shame on you.
By Omid Safi — April 3, 2013
(RNS) — There is an absolute disconnect between the North Carolina that we live in and the patronizing, prejudiced legislation coming out of the state's legislature.
Why I support same-sex marriage: a religious argument in solidarity
By Omid Safi — March 27, 2013
This is the reason that I ultimately came over from the cautious supporting “civil union” side to supporting full marriage. We don’t want a society in which some people are “kind of” married, sort of married. We don’t want a two-tiered model of marriage. We don’t want a two-tiered model of justice. We don’t want a two-tiered model of citizenship. A two-tiered justice is not justice, and a two-tiered citizenship is not real citizenship.
Not your mother’s morals: An interview with Jonathan Fitzgerald
By Jonathan Merritt — March 19, 2013
At 31, Jonathan Fitzgerald has become one of the most thoughtful cultural observers among a rising generation of Christians. Here, he talks about his new book, morality, pop culture, and whether he believes God is “still important” today.
How to Pray: Presence in the Heart
By Omid Safi — February 28, 2013
We have to be taught how to pray: "There is no prayer without the presence of the heart."
The Love Language legacy: A Valentine’s Day interview with Gary Chapman
By Jonathan Merritt — February 13, 2013
(RNS)— The author and pastor looks back at the unexpected success of the Five Love Languages.
