
Since 1900, the Christian Century has published reporting, commentary, poetry, and essays on the role of faith in a pluralistic society.
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The old, evil idea of humans as units of production
When people’s value is reduced to their economic contributions, they are dehumanized.
What makes an American home?
A literary look at the walls that protect us—and keep us captive
by Amy Frykholm
What the Bible actually says about abortion, slavery, and other controversial topics
Should scripture inform our ethics? How, and which parts?
by Jane McBride
The suffering Jesus in Shawn Copeland’s theology
African American spirituality and God’s act of solidarity
The kinds of stories Toni Morrison told
No one has done more to transform the language for thinking about America’s racial past.
Reparations is a spiritual issue
No full reparation for slavery can ever be made. We should try anyway.
by Nibs Stroupe
A black pastor writes to the white church about its complicity in oppression
Lenny Duncan’s letter is full of hope and fury, love and lament—like Paul’s epistles.
by Tim Brown
Lynched but not forgotten
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice represents a watershed moment in the idea and practice of what a public memorial can be.
by Pete Candler
Marxism and the New Testament
As Roland Boer and Christina Petterson see it, the Gospels contradict the witness of Jesus about slavery and property.
The complex story of race and religion in the American South
Paul Harvey's history shows how things could have gone very differently.
The vocation of being a stranger
As a mother and a woman of color, I read Camille Dungy's book as a personal roadmap.
by Josina Guess
Toni Morrison on the invention of the stranger
Slaying the monsters
Theological issues might be “settled” for us, but there is a big world out there that needs to hear our voices.
Criticism of the slave trade from 200 years ago speaks to us today—and not just about race.
Yaa Gyasi's novel reveals the freedoms and captivities we all inherit.
Theologies of entitlement, enslaving, and extinguishing indigenous communities have shaped policy since the 15th century.
There’s a place in society for prophetic denunciation. There’s also a place for restraint.
Matthew L. Skinner recommends the best recently published books in his field.
selected by Matthew L. Skinner
Colson Whitehead has created a world as compelling—and as intolerable—as our own.
When Dylann Roof murdered the Charleston nine at a Bible study in June 2015, his intent was “to start a race war.” He didn’t succeed.