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Science is part of God’s wonder,’ said one pastor. ‘And I think it’s good for us to celebrate that as Christians.’

A U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June 2022 has given new hope to those who want the Ten Commandments publicly displayed.

This issue of A Public Witness looks at responses to Richard Dawkins recently claiming the label 'cultural Christian' despite his past tirades against religion to consider what this reveals about the unChristian nature of Christian Nationalism.

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Dangerous Dogma

Church

For nearly a century, Southern Baptist churches have banded together to raise funds for mission in the US and around the world, raising more than $20 billion through their Cooperative Program. But the trust that once held the program together is fraying.

Many American congregations tend to focus on traditional families, recollecting a mid-20th-century model for church growth or else simply as a model of what a Christian life should be.

A pair of new lawsuits, including one that includes civil RICO claims, come at a time when the SBC Executive Committee faces a fiscal and leadership crisis.

Nation

This issue of A Public Witness looks at recent and dangerous efforts from Donald Trump, Michael Flynn, Charlie Kirk, and others to define religious adherence by partisanship.

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.

Catholic Charities locations have become the target of far-right media personalities, conspiracy theorists, and even members of Congress.

World

Nicaragua’s government released a prominent Catholic bishop and 18 other clergy members imprisoned in a crackdown by President Daniel Ortega and handed them over to Vatican authorities who welcomed them in Rome. 

This issue of A Public Witness takes a look at past efforts from Christian clergy to bless weapons of war before returning to a current conflict to hear from a pastor in the little town of Bethlehem.

Orthodox Christians packed churches Saturday night for Christmas Eve services during ongoing conflicts including the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars.

Editorials

Word&Way Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor reflects on dangers of rhetoric by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the Republican politician misquotes Ephesians 6 to demonize his opponents.

On Sunday evening, a man opened fire in a shopping mall in Greenwood, Indiana, killing three people and wounding two others before also being shot dead. What city officials said in response sparked some odd headlines.

Editor-in-Chief Brian Kaylor responds to comments by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler, who attacked Americans United for Separation of Church and State while he advocated for government prayers in public schools.

Word&Way Voices

Many churches hold Blue Christmas services that allow people a sacred space for mourning. Perhaps the laments that come from political loss also need to be acknowledged in this season of anticipation.

We live in a time of great precariousness and it is important to be reminded that the only kingdom sure to last is the kingdom of God.

Often it doesn’t seem like Jesus was terribly concerned with politics, and certainly not with obtaining earthly power. But he was playing the long game of spiritual, social, and yes, political transformation.

E-Newsletter

This issue of A Public Witness looks at feedback we received on social media from proponents of the lesser magistrates philosophy and explores why Christians should instead value democracy.

This issue of A Public Witness examines how numerous states are considering bills to limit or ban marriage for minors, which has garnered opposition from several conservative Christian ministers and activists.

This issue of A Public Witness takes you inside the Family Research Council’s “National Gathering for Prayer and Repentance” featuring Speaker Mike Johnson and a couple dozen other Republican lawmakers.

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Podcasts

In episode 78 of Dangerous Dogma, Adriene Thorne, the new senior pastor at the Riverside Church in New York City, talks about pastoring at this historic congregation. She also discusses becoming the first African American woman to lead Riverside and the

Lee Spitzer, historian for the Baptist World Alliance and affiliate professor of church history at Northern Seminary in Chicago, talks about his new book Sympathy, Solidarity, and Silence: Three Europeans Baptist Responses to the Holocaust.

Pamela Cooper-White of Union Theological Seminary talks about her book The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In and How to Talk Across the Divide. She also discusses pastoral counseling and her perspective as an Episcopal priest.

Mike McMahon, executive director of the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada, talks about the work of the Hymn Society. He also discusses music and issues like COVID, welcoming immigrants, and scandals involving Hillsong.

Books

In "Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible," Daniel Cooperrider analyzes the Bible's treatment of the environment and intersperses his own reflections on experiences in nature.

This issue of A Public Witness delves into Kathryn Cramer Brownell’s new book “24/7 Politics: Cable Television & the Fragmenting of America from Watergate to Fox News” exploring why our current media landscape looks the way it does.

In "Church Conflicts: The Cross, Apocalyptic, and Political Resistance," noted New Testament scholar Ernst Käsemann explores the significance of Christian apocalyptic for the church in times of crisis.

Henri Nouwen's "Community" provides a complete picture community and why it is such a necessary and integral part of the spiritual life.