Articles

Why TV's ‘Broadway Boyfriends’ will keep singing with Hillsong

Why TV's ‘Broadway Boyfriends’ will keep singing with Hillsong

The real story behind the mega-church's recent controversy.

TheologyJonathanAugust 13, 2015Art, Bible, Brian Houston, Broadway, Carl Lentz, church, entertainment, evangelicalism, gay marriage, Hillsong Church, Homosexuality, Jesus, Josh Canfield, Reed Kelly, Sexuality, Survivor, television

Russell Moore: Pope Francis for evangelicals?

Russell Moore: Pope Francis for evangelicals?

In some ways, the two are strikingly similar.

CultureJonathanAugust 13, 2015Baptist, Catholic, environmentlism, Homosexuality, politics, Pope Francis, Roman Catholic, Russell Moore, Southern Baptist

Brothers and Sisters, You are Not Professional Journalists

Brothers and Sisters, You are Not Professional Journalists

A person shouldn't use words they don't understand.

CultureJonathanJuly 27, 2015Augustine, criticism, integrity, journalism, news, opinion, reporting, Writer's Boot Camp, Writing

Can this woman's ‘farmer’s theology’ change the world?

Can this woman's ‘farmer’s theology’ change the world?

Becca Stevens is planting seeds and seeing fruit in her ministry to victimized women.

CultureJonathanJuly 27, 2015Becca Stevens, Bible, Episcopal, Jesus, Jesus Christ, prostitution, sacrament, social justice, theology, Thistle Farms, women’s issues

Was the Apostle Paul sexist or ‘an exemplar?'

Was the Apostle Paul sexist or ‘an exemplar?'

America's most influential mainline church's pastor weighs in.

CultureJonathanJuly 27, 2015Adam Hamilton, Apostle Paul, Bible, gospel, idolatry, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, Muhammad, New Testament, Plato, The Call

Did this woman risk her life to leave Islam for Christianity?

Did this woman risk her life to leave Islam for Christianity?

Rifqa Bary claims her Muslim parents threatened to kill her.

CultureJonathanJuly 23, 2015abuse, Charlie Crist, Christianity, conversion, evangelism, Florida, Hiding in the Light, Islam, Marco Rubio, media, Muslim, politics, Rifqa Bary

On Planned Parenthood, ‘New York Times’ whiffs

On Planned Parenthood, ‘New York Times’ whiffs

A society cannot fix what it will not acknowledge is broken.

CultureJonathanJuly 23, 2015abortion, abortion rights, Kirsten Powers, media, New York Times, news, Planned Parenthood, politics, pro-choice, pro-life, USA Today

If Pope is listening to critics, he should start with gun makers

If Pope is listening to critics, he should start with gun makers

Pope Francis says he'll open his ears and mind to U.S. critics.

CultureJonathanJuly 23, 2015Catholicism, guns, hypocrisy, Injustice, Iraq, ISIS, justice, Nazi, peace, Pope Francis, Swiss Guard, Vatican, Vatican City, War, weapons

‘Judge not': Jesus said it, but what did he mean?

‘Judge not': Jesus said it, but what did he mean?

Is judging others an absolute no-no for Christians or not?

CultureJonathanJuly 23, 2015Christianity, gay marriage, gay rights, gospel, Hugh Halter, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, Judgment, politics, sin, Supreme Court

After gay marriage, expect conservative amnesia

After gay marriage, expect conservative amnesia

History is not always written by the victors.

Afraid of doubt? John Piper’s son says he fears for your faith

Afraid of doubt? John Piper’s son says he fears for your faith

Barnabas Piper wants to create "discomfort for Christians who've never questioned."

CultureJonathanJune 24, 2015apologetics, Barnabas Piper, certainty, doubt, evil, faith, idolatry, John Piper, Jonathan Merritt, natural disasters, problem of evil, questions, sin, theodicy

What does it take to forgive someone like Dylann Roof?

What does it take to forgive someone like Dylann Roof?

How does one serve forgiveness to a person who hasn’t even ordered it?

CultureJonathanJune 24, 2015Charleston shooting, crucifixion, Dylan Roof, Forgiveness, guns, hate, hate crime, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, murder, Race, Racism, violence

Explainer: Southern Baptists’ anti-gay marriage resolution

Explainer: Southern Baptists’ anti-gay marriage resolution

Here's the 3 things you need to know.

CultureJonathanJune 18, 2015Albert Mohler, Denominations, Fox News, gay marriage, James Merritt, Jonathan Merritt, LGBT, Ronnie Floyd, Southern Baptist Convention, Todd Starnes

Do you make deals with God? Then stop.

Ever said this: "If I’m faithful in doing this, then God promises to do that"?

CultureJonathanJune 18, 2015Bible, Doug Pagitt, emergent, Emerging Church, evangelicalism, freedom, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, nonviolence, theology

Give Anne Lamott (and all of us) grace on transgender issues

Give Anne Lamott (and all of us) grace on transgender issues

Lamar incited public outrage with comments about Caitlyn Jenner.

CultureJonathanJune 12, 2015Anne Lamott, Caitlyn Jenner, Daily Kos, grace, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, kindness, mercy, transgender issues, twitter, Vanity Fair

Jazz Hands for Jesus: Inside Broadway's Religion Revival

Jazz Hands for Jesus: Inside Broadway's Religion Revival

Why the influx of faith-based shows matters for America

CultureJonathanJune 12, 2015Amazing Grace, Art, Broadway, Culture, Jonathan Merritt, Music, New York City, theater

Nancy Pearcey’s mission to reinvigorate the evangelical mind

Nancy Pearcey’s mission to reinvigorate the evangelical mind

A woman you may not know is making a huge impact on faith.

CultureJonathanJune 12, 2015apologetics, Atheism, Christianity, Chuck Colson, education, enlightenment, evangelicalism, Gender, Jonathan Merritt, Nancy Pearcey, postmodernism, sexism, truth

Bestselling author's foundation funds Wheaton LGBTQ group

Bestselling author's foundation funds Wheaton LGBTQ group

The gift may be viewed as further proof of a shifting landscape on sexuality.

CultureJonathanJune 6, 2015grants, Jonathan Merritt, LGBTQ, Madeleine L’Engle, money, OneWheaton, Wheaton Collegeone of America's most prestigious Christian authors-

The Rise of Church Discipline in America

The Rise of Church Discipline in America

A mega-church's behavior prompts debate about ecclesial discipline.

CultureJonathanJune 6, 20159Marks, Acts 29, church, church discipline, IX Marks, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Leeman, Matt Chandler, Randall Balmer, Thomas Oden, Village Church, Wade Burleson

‘To Write Love on Her Arms’ founder wrestles with faith

‘To Write Love on Her Arms’ founder wrestles with faith

Jamie Tworkowski sparked a movement and now questions his faith.

CultureJonathanJune 1, 2015addiction, depression, doubt, Jamie Tworkowski, Jonathan Merritt, suicide