Superman Spirituality: Is Hollywood Manipulating Christians?

Does marketing "Man of Steel" to faith-based audiences make Christians pawns?

CultureJonathanJune 20, 2013arts, capitalism, comics, Film, Grace Hill Media, Hollywood, Jonathan Merritt, Man of Steel, marketing, Mel Gibson, money, movies, Passion of the Christ, Superman, The Bible

Breaking Old Rhythms: An Interview with Amena Brown

Christian spoken word artist Amena Brown talks about race, poetry, and breaking free.

CultureJonathanJune 17, 2013Amena Brown, Communication, Gender, Jonathan Merritt, leadership, poetry, Race, Racism

What Southern Baptists Must Do to Slow Their Decline

America's largest Protestant denomination is declining. What must they do to stop the bleeding?

God's Advice to Dads: An Interview with James Merritt

Jonathan asks his father about challenges to parenting and what advice God would give dads.

Gender Roles: Timeless Truth or Cultural Phenomenon?

Are there timeless, Biblical roles for men and women or is this a post-industrial phenomenon?

CultureJonathanJune 6, 2013Bible, church, complementarian, Controversy, egalitarian, family, female, Gender, gender roles, History, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, male, Marriage, Mary Kassian, men, Owen Strachan, Rachel Held Evans, Scot McKnight, Sex, sexes, sociology, theology, Women, work

Evangelicals and the Growing Gender Debate

As society discusses women in the workplace, evangelicals have been having their own debates.

CultureJonathanJune 6, 2013Bible, church, complementarian, Controversy, egalitarian, family, female, Gender, gender roles, History, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, male, Marriage, Mary Kassian, men, Owen Strachan, Rachel Held Evans, Scot McKnight, Sex, sexes, sociology, theology, Women, work

Loving People with Disabilities: An interview with Amy Julia Becker

Amy Julia Becker sparks a conversation on loving "the least of these."

CultureJonathanJune 6, 2013Amy Julia Becker, children, church, churches, disabled, Down Syndrome, handicapped, Jonathan Merritt, Ministry, mothering, mothers, parenting, Patheos, The New York Times

Did Media Learn Lesson on Abortion Reporting?

The alleged atrocities of Douglas Karpen may be "worse than Gosnell," but is anyone listening?

Rethinking Membership: An Interview with Thom Rainer

The CEO of LifeWay talks about American attitudes toward church membership.

The Church in a Land of Climate Change

In places like Malawi, churches may hold the key to addressing climate concerns.

Life of a Free-Range Preacher: An Interview with Barbara Taylor

One of the most influential living preachers talks about why she left ministry and why she still hopes.

CultureJonathanMay 31, 2013Barbara Brown Taylor, book, Christian, Christianity, church, Episcopalian, interview, Jonathan Merritt, Leaving Church, Merritt, Ministry, Priest

Misguided Faith Healers Should Go to Jail

What should happen to someone whose religious beliefs result in the death of a child?

CultureJonathanMay 31, 2013child rights, child welfare, Controversy, Death, Evangelical, evangelicalism, Faith healer, fundamentalism, Herbert and Catherine Schaible, Jonathan Merritt, justice, law, Philadelphia, politics, Scandal, Shawn Francis Peters, University of Wisconsin

Plotting Goodness Together: An Interview with Shane Claiborne

Activist and author Shane Claiborne talks about church, politics, and "red letter" Christianity.

CultureJonathanMay 22, 2013Christianity, christians, Evangelical, evangelicalism, government, Irresistible Revolution, Jonathan Merritt, Merritt, neo-monasticism, New Monasticism, political, politics, Red Letter Christians, Red Letter Revolution, Shane Claiborne, simple way, Tony Campolo

Is God Going to Incinerate the Earth?

Some evangelicals believe the Earth will end in a cosmic barbecue.

CultureJonathanMay 22, 2013apocalypse, apocalyptic, Apostle Peter, Baylor University, Bible, end times, Evangelical, evangelicalism, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, left behind, Merritt, Scripture

Remembering Generosity: An Interview with Jeff Shinabarger

The author and innovator calls people to prioritize margin and generosity.

CultureJonathanMay 19, 2013balance, generosity, GiftCardGiver, Jeff Sinabarger, Jonathan Merritt, Merritt, Plywood People, Plywoodpeople, Stress, time, work

Some Things Just Aren't Funny: A Response to Mark Driscoll

Driscoll says people need to lighten up about his Catalyst Conference comments.

CultureJonathanMay 19, 2013Catalyst Conference, climate change, Controversy, creation care, disease, environmentalism, hunger, illness, Jonathan Merritt, Malawi, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, poverty, rhetoric

The Post-Church Christian: An Interview with Carson Nyquist

Carson Nyquist and his father wrestle with generational issues that often divide churches.

Is Mark Driscoll This Generation's Pat Robertson?

Is the controversial pastor heading down the path of the blundering Pat Robertson?

Can the Church Turn the World Upside Down?

Tearfund is pioneering new ways to restore communities through mobilizing local churches.

CultureJonathanMay 3, 2013Acts, Africa, Apostle Paul, Christian, Christianity, church, curiosity, investigation, Jonathan Merritt, journalism, Malawi, Merritt, mission, mission trip, missions, poverty, TearFund, travel

God's Favorite Place on Earth: An Interview with Frank Viola

Viola talks about his book, women in the church, and accusations that he's unorthodox.

CultureJonathanMay 3, 2013Bethany, Bible, book, books, Christianity, christians, Controversy, evangelicalism, Frank Viola, God, heaven, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, Scandal

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