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In "God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music," Leah Payne traces the history and trajectory of CCM and how it has shaped evangelicals.

In the wake of gun violence that left three adults and three children dead, the students and their families have formed tight bonds out of their shared suffering.

The percentage of Americans who never attend services outnumbers those who go every week, according to a new report.

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Dangerous Dogma

Church

The nation’s largest Protestant denomination has settled a sexual abuse lawsuit against one of its prominent leaders who had been accused of allegedly molesting young men for decades.

Best known for launching a round-the-clock prayer and missions group, Bickle admitted to ‘past misconduct’ earlier this month.

Young musicians have taken to the organ at a time when there has been a decline in the number of instruments and in the professionals who play them.

Nation

'Today’s announcement establishes uniform policies to safeguard Americans from religious discrimination in social services,' said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.

A religious instruction program for students to be let out of school to study the Bible is being adopted by more than a quarter of public school districts in Ohio, and across more than a dozen states.

The survey found support for Christian Nationalism concentrated in two religious groups: white evangelical Protestants and Hispanic Protestants.

World

A tiny Christian minority sitting on one of the Holy Land's most valuable pieces of real estate has rebelled against a real-estate deal that would sacrifice nearly 25% of its land in Jerusalem.

The lush Cedars of God Forest, some 2000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level near the northern town of Bcharre, is part of a landscape cherished by Christians.

Inspired by Palestinian Christians canceling Christmas lights and festivities in Bethlehem, British Christians urge Christians elsewhere to show solidarity by not lighting the “peace candle” that is traditionally lit on the second Sunday in Advent.

Editorials

Now that the trustees at Southwest Baptist University dropped their push for new governing documents, Brian Kaylor offers six next steps that leaders of the school and the Missouri Baptist Convention should take.

Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor responds to critics of a Word&Way clergy statement urging Christians to get a COVID-19 vaccine. And Kaylor challenges the anti-vaxxer message of “faith over fear.”

Editors Brian Kaylor and Beau Underwood outline the theological reasons for a COVID-19 vaccination outreach effort centered around clergy. Such an act is not only a matter of public health, it is also a witness to what we believe about the Gospel.

Word&Way Voices

Edward Walsh reflects on his experiences in the Middle East and what following the teachings of Jesus should look like in this time of conflict.

Contributing writer Sarah Blackwell champions the idea that churches can offer counter-cultural recreational programs to put youth sports back at the right size and scale.

While Texas Gov. Greg Abbott lampooned sanctuary cities by sending buses full of desperate people seeking safety for themselves and their families, he did not anticipate that they would be received with open hearts, houses, and churches.

E-Newsletter

Carolyn Chen’s "Work Pray Code: When Work Becomes Religion in Silicon Valley" explores how work has displaced religion in so many people’s lives. If we can’t serve both God and mammon, it feels like a lot of people have chosen the latter.

This issue of A Public Witness goes to church with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to contrast his recent “sermon” with how the stories of the first Christmas deal with politicians.

For this issue of A Public Witness, Brian and Beau briefly highlight 15 of their favorite books beyond those from our monthly giveaway reviews.

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Podcasts

In episode 59 of Dangerous Dogma, Diana Butler Bass, author of Freeing Jesus, talks about her writings on religion, history, and fundamentalism. She also discusses her Substack newsletter The Cottage.

In episode 58 of Dangerous Dogma, Max Finberg, president and CEO of Growing Hope Globally, talks about the organization he leads. He also discusses advocacy, working in government, and ending global hunger.

Marcia Pally, a professor at New York University and guest professor at Humboldt University-Berlin, talks with Word&Way President Brian Kaylor about her new book White Evangelicals and Right-Wing Populism: How Did We Get Here? She also discusses Jan. 6, political history, and economics.  

In episode 56 of Dangerous Dogma, Terri Hord Owens, General Ministery and President of The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), talks about her experiences in leading a Mainline Protestant denomination today. She also discusses racism, COVID, and communion.

Books

In "Jesus the Refugee: Ancient Injustice and Modern Solidarity," D. Glenn Butner Jr. draws on scripture, theology, and legal analysis to provide a compelling and important look at one of the major crises of our time.

In "The Word Made Fresh: Preaching God's Love for Every Body," George A. Mason offers us a collection of progressive sermons preached during his thirty-year ministry at Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas.

Ryan Burge’s "The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going" shines new light on our transformational moment in American religious life.

The book "Theology and Star Trek" explores how creator Gene Roddenberry may not have wanted to include God-talk in his franchise, but the rich science fiction universe still provides numerous opportunities for theological reflection.