The Christian Century: Thoughtful, Independent, Progressive

The certainty summit

In 1978, a who’s who of conservative evangelical leaders met in Chicago to draft a statement on biblical inerrancy. It would change the course of church and state.

by Liz Charlotte Grant

Voices

Progressive Christians should read the Bible

It’s a rich, multivocal library. And we can’t afford to be ignorant of a book that’s being weaponized against vulnerable people.

by Debie Thomas

News

African theologians look to Nicene Creed’s anniversary year to reshape spiritual future

by Fredrick Nzwili

Interviews

The D.C. church that beat the Proud Boys in court now owns their name

“There was no disagreement as to whether we should engage,” says Metropolitan AME pastor Bill Lamar, “but there was definitely a risk calculation.”

Jasmin Pittman interviews William H. Lamar IV

Features

The imitation of the Spirit

Christians are taught to practice imitatio Christi, empowered by the Holy Spirit. What if we flipped this narrative?

by Meg Giordano

Books

A matter of love, not certainty

In Carl Hughes’s hands, Kierkegaard helps to distinguish Luther’s desire for certainty from his appreciation for mystery.

by David Newheiser

Poems for a difficult life of faith

Like Paul, Spencer Reece has journeyed to see what he would suffer as a servant of Christ.

by Diane Glancy

The story of Richmond’s “cathedral of the Confederacy”

Christopher Graham’s book focuses on the racism of one Virginia congregation. It will challenge all those who cause harm in the name of virtue.

by Peyton Williams

Inside the lives of everyday workers

Mark Larson’s collection of soulful interviews is a worthy successor to Studs Terkel’s 1974 classic Working.

by Jesse Lava

In This Issue

In the Lectionary

March 23, Lent 3C (Luke 13:1-9)

Who can resist the gardener’s advice to dig around deeply and replenish the soil?

by Peter S. Hawkins

In the Lectionary

March 16, Lent 2C (Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35)

We live with a clear-eyed hope that refuses to squint in the face of suffering.

by Mark Ralls

Voices

Progressive Christians should read the Bible

It’s a rich, multivocal library. And we can’t afford to be ignorant of a book that’s being weaponized against vulnerable people.

by Debie Thomas

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In the Lectionary

March 23, Lent 3C (Luke 13:1-9)

Who can resist the gardener’s advice to dig around deeply and replenish the soil?

by Peter S. Hawkins

What is the Bible for?

A rip-roaring library to inspire ongoing conversation

by Brian D. McLaren

Screen Time

When nice guys are dangerous

Two recent buzzy, twisty thrillers put gender dynamics at the center of the drama.

by Kathryn Reklis

Sunday’s Coming

Heavenly minded (Philippians 3:17–4:1)

Our prevailing practical wisdom to focus on the here and now cuts sharply against the grain of Paul’s advice.

Voices

Brian Bantum

The substance of small things I’ve seen

Hope and change mean something different to me now than they did in 2009.

Debie Thomas

Progressive Christians should read the Bible

It’s a rich, multivocal library. And we can’t afford to be ignorant of a book that’s being weaponized against vulnerable people.

Alejandra Oliva

The call of a remnant prairie

I’ve seen artists enchanted and haunted by the prairie, their work changed by spending time in the grasses.

Illustration of columnist Mellisa Florer-Bixler

Melissa Florer-Bixler

An ungovernable faith

By refusing to swear oaths, 16th-century Anabaptists took away the state’s primary tool for control.

Julian DeShazier

White supremacy shows up in unexpected places

Supremacy feels so good on the inside that we are all vulnerable to its sirens.

Peter Choi

Dust and glory

Our origin in dirt can teach us humility. But what if it also bears the divine image?

Politics

Features

The certainty summit

In 1978, a who’s who of conservative evangelical leaders met in Chicago to draft a statement on biblical inerrancy. It would change the course of church and state.

by Liz Charlotte Grant