How predatory behavior goes undetected in congregations. A man who had long sexually abused children sat in front of his pastor, wanting to confess his crimes. He began cautiously, mentioning that there had been accusations against him. He got no further, as his minister broke in, “Well, that’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard of,” …
A new documentary shows how a gentle Presbyterian minister turned TV inside out. Morgan Neville’s new documentary about Fred Rogers, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, reminds us that the television icon was an ordained minister … and then shows us protesters at his funeral predicting his damnation. It tells us that he was a lifelong …
From sex-selective abortion to sexual abuse, it encompasses the entire female life cycle. As a theologian and sociologist, Elaine Storkey has documented how women are abused, exploited, and killed across the globe. This work has propelled her into leadership roles with Tearfund, a UK-based Christian relief organization, and Restore, an international Christian alliance dedicated to …
Showing hospitality to strangers is an important biblical value. What about showing hospitality to God? For as long as I can remember, my wife and I hosted dinners—birthday parties for congregants, baby showers, Thanksgiving dinners for displaced New Yorkers, dinners to honor people, and many others. In 2005, I hosted a man I barely knew. …
The “soulcraft” found in faith-based learning is just what higher ed needs right now. High school graduation is a season of joy as we witness a sea of smiling young graduates, ready for anything. However, those smiles far too often mask the years of anxiety over getting into the right college that led up to …
How Billy Graham got the mainstream media to broadcast God’s message to the world. Billy Graham's ministry spanned more than six decades. He preached the gospel to more live audiences than anyone in history—nearly 215 million individuals in more than 185 countries and territories. Billions more were reached by media outlets around the world. Preaching …
Bible scholars have been waiting for the Gospel fragment’s publication for years. The Egypt Exploration Society has recently published a Greek papyrus that is likely the earliest fragment of the Gospel of Mark, dating it from between A.D. 150–250. One might expect happiness at such a publication, but this important fragment actually disappointed many observers. …
An introduction to one of the most controversial public intellectuals of our time. He’s a Canadian psychology professor. A YouTube star. A bestselling author. He’s Jordan Peterson. Here’s how New York Times columnist David Brooks describes him: In his videos, he analyzes classic and biblical texts, he eviscerates identity politics and political correctness and, most …
Let’s ask the early church fathers. Sometimes we start our history in the wrong place. It can be tempting to trace our roots back to the origin of our denomination or even the origin of Christianity in our country. But taking a longer view by tracing our roots back to the early church fathers leads …
Billy Graham kept the focus on God at all times. How did he do it? Future historians will find more than enough material from Billy Graham's life and work to keep them occupied. But one of the main questions they will want to answer is: What was the secret of his success? One vital component …