Jonathan Merritt
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Jonathan Merritt

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Baptists’ Expulsion of Gay-Affirming Church Serves As Warning
Baptists’ Expulsion of Gay-Affirming Church Serves As Warning

If it won't fly in California, don't expect it to work among other Southern Baptists.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 16, 2014California, Danny Cortez, gay marriage, Jonathan Merritt, LGBT, New Heart Community Church, Reformation Project, Southern Baptist Convention
Have Evangelicals Diluted Jesus’ Radical Message?
Have Evangelicals Diluted Jesus’ Radical Message?

A popular Christian blogger says evangelicals have created a domesticated, American Jesus.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 15, 2014Benjamin Corey, Bible, certainty, Christianity, conservative, Culture, Denominations, doubt, evangelicalism, Forgiveness, fundamentalism, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, liberal, logic, theology, trends
Was ‘Christianity Today’ Justified in Rejecting This Controversial Ad?
Was ‘Christianity Today’ Justified in Rejecting This Controversial Ad?

This situation highlights a perennial issue Christians are facing on sexuality debates.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 15, 2014advertising, Christianity Today, church, Controversy, debate, dialogue, Evangelicals for Marriage Equality, gay marriage, Homosexuality, Marriage, politics, Relevant Magazine, Sexuality, shame, Sojourners, theology, World Magazine
How Syria Ruined Its Future While Trying to Save It
How Syria Ruined Its Future While Trying to Save It

War-ravaged children will be unequipped to rebuild Syria when the conflict concludes.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 9, 2014foreign policy, Jonathan Merritt, Obama, politics, Syria, World Vision
Two Words That Can Forever Shape Your Life
Two Words That Can Forever Shape Your Life

A Christian social entrepreneur says "yes" and "no" can change our lives.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 8, 2014books, business, choices, David C- Cook, Jeff Shinabarger, Jonathan Merritt, social entrepreneurship
Chick-fil-A Founder Dies, Leaves Legacy of Faith in Business
Chick-fil-A Founder Dies, Leaves Legacy of Faith in Business

Truett Cathy remained true to his religious roots even when it cost him personally.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 8, 2014business, Chick-fil-A, Controversy, fast food, Homosexuality, Jonathan Merritt, LGBT, marketplace, Truett Cathy
Why I Am Hopeful About the Church's Future
Why I Am Hopeful About the Church's Future

The Church is dwindling. Could this be a good thing?

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CultureJonathanSeptember 7, 2014Christianity, church, competition, Homosexuality, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, Ministry, morality, Pastors, Sexuality, Simon Siwek, theology, trends
Have Americans Made God in Their Image?
Have Americans Made God in Their Image?

Matthew Paul Turner argues from history that Christians have Americanized God.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 2, 2014America, Celebrity, Culture, evangelicalism, George Whitfield, History, Jonathan Edwards, Jonathan Merritt, Matthew Paul Turner, Phoebe Palmer, theology
Pastor Eugene Cho Says This Generation is "Overrated"
Pastor Eugene Cho Says This Generation is "Overrated"

The Seattle pastor comes out swinging in his new book.

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CultureJonathanSeptember 2, 2014Activism, criticism, Eugene Cho, evangelism, Generations, Injustice, Jonathan Merritt, justice, Ministry, narcissism, One Days Wages, Pastor, poverty, Seattle, slacktivism
Desmond Tutu’s Four Steps to Forgiving Others
Desmond Tutu’s Four Steps to Forgiving Others

The Nobel prize winner offers advice on how to heal the heart after being hurt.

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CultureJonathanAugust 25, 2014Anglicanism, bitterness, church, Desmond Tutu, Forgiveness, HarperOne, healing, Jonathan Merritt, Leslie Leyland Fields, reconciliation, South Africa, theology
Why Christians Shouldn’t Celebrate Mark Driscoll’s Demise
Why Christians Shouldn’t Celebrate Mark Driscoll’s Demise

Pastor Mark Driscoll's leave of absence is a relief, but hold off on glee.

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CultureJonathanAugust 25, 2014church, Controversy, Forgiveness, homophobia, Jonathan Merritt, leadership, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, Ministry, sexism, theology, Timothy Keller
Is The Christian Music Industry Flipping on LGBT Issues?
Is The Christian Music Industry Flipping on LGBT Issues?

From Vicky Beeching to Jars of Clay, Christian music seems to be shifting on gay marriage.

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CultureJonathanAugust 21, 2014Art, Controversy, Culture, Homosexuality, Jars of Clay, Jennifer Knapp, Jonathan Merritt, LGBT, Matthew Paul Turner, Music, politics, Sexuality, theology, trends, Vicky Beeching, worship
Why James Martin’s Middle East Pilgrimage Matters
Why James Martin’s Middle East Pilgrimage Matters

"America" magazine editor says he discovered surprising new truths about Jesus.

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CultureJonathanAugust 19, 2014Bible, Catholicism, Catholics, Gospels, HarperOne, Israel, James Martin, Jesus, Middle East, Palestine, Scripture, theology
Christian Musician Vicky Beeching Comes Out: An Interview
Christian Musician Vicky Beeching Comes Out: An Interview

Beeching, whose songs are among the "top 25 most sung" in North American churches, says she's gay.

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CultureJonathanAugust 15, 2014Art, Controversy, Homosexuality, Jonathan Merritt, LGBT, Music, Sexuality, theology, Vicky Beeching
How Christians Can Stop Being Bullies and Win Converts
How Christians Can Stop Being Bullies and Win Converts

Isn't it time we start practicing what we preach?

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CultureJonathanAugust 13, 2014Brooklyn Magazine, bullying, Controversy, hate, Jerry Falwell, Jonathan Merritt, Sally Quinn, The Washington Post, The Week Magazine, trends
A Third Way for Christians on The ‘Gay Issue?’
A Third Way for Christians on The ‘Gay Issue?’

One author argues for a third way approach to this divisive debate.

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CultureJonathanAugust 11, 2014church, Controversy, debate, disagreement, Gay, generous spaciousness, Homosexuality, Jonathan Merritt, lesbian, LGBT, Marriage, theology
Brian McLaren Reflects on 25 Years of Emergence
Brian McLaren Reflects on 25 Years of Emergence

A quarter-century after its start, an Emergent Church leader reflects on what it was really about.

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CultureJonathanAugust 8, 2014Brian McLaren, Buddhism, emergent church, Emerging Church, evangelicalism, Homosexuality, interfaith, Islam, Jonathan Merritt, Mainline Protestantism, theology
Why We Should Accept Mark Driscoll’s Apology
Why We Should Accept Mark Driscoll’s Apology

Mark Driscoll says he's sorry for inappropriate comments. We should forgive.

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CultureJonathanAugust 5, 2014abuse, apology, Brennan Manning, Controversy, grace, Jonathan Merritt, Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church, oppression
Is Animal Suffering an Achilles Heel For Creationists?
Is Animal Suffering an Achilles Heel For Creationists?

A Fulbright scholar creates waves for creationists and Biblical literalists.

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CultureJonathanJuly 31, 2014animals, Charles Darwin, church, Controversy, Creationism, Darwin, Darwinism, Death, debates, evolution, Intervarsity Press, Jonathan Merritt, philosophy, politics, Ronald Osborn, Science, suffering, theistic evolution, theology
Jefferson Bethke Fights Injustice With Candle Company
Jefferson Bethke Fights Injustice With Candle Company

Bethke has the Midas touch. Retail giant, Nordstrom, is expected to place an order soon.

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CultureJonathanJuly 30, 2014business, Celebrate Recovery, charity, Claro, Claro Candles, compassion, evangelicalism, Exile International, Food For The Hungry, Genesis Project, Jefferson Bethke, Nordstrom, Plant With Purpose, Resotration Gateway, social entrepreneurship, The Water Fight, World Vision
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