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When Caesar gets demanding

“What will be God’s,” asks Tertullian, “if all things are Caesar’s?” It’s a challenging question at a time when the state is asking us to acquiesce to a secret, unaccountable police force.

by Michael Woolf

Art that stretches us

I’ve been thinking about different ways visual art can challenge our perceptions and assumptions.

by Peter W. Marty

“That girl from Andover”

Phyllis Trible gave me two gifts: her groundbreaking biblical scholarship and an unassuming friendship.

by Julie Faith Parker

Shared songs with new meaning

My colleague’s Black church was taking a break from anti-racism work with White churches. So we decided to sing together.

by Melissa Florer-Bixler

Please, liberal Christians, read Eugene Peterson

I’m not too proud to beg.

by Katherine Willis Pershey

Books

Illuminating the icons

Theologian Eve Tibbs’s book on Eastern Orthodox iconography is accessible, enlightening, and beautifully illustrated.

by Scot McKnight

Weeping with the prophets

Richard Rohr begs readers to journey from anger to sadness to compassionate love.

by Jen Pollock Michel

Writing through grief

In her new memoir, Miriam Toews explores connections between suicide, silence, and writing.

by Julie L. Moore

Aura et labora

In Robert Baird’s debut novel, a religion scholar’s young son starts emitting a holy glow that might or might not be real.

by Benjamin J. Dueholm

News

New poll: Muslim voters didn't cost Dems 2024 election, but they may have found their voice

Faith leaders join Democrats to decry health care cuts, expiring SNAP benefits

by Jack Jenkins

Why rabbis across the US are taking sides in New York's mayoral race

by Benyamin Cohen

Latino pastors refit preaching, pastoral care to trauma of mass deportations

by Aleja Hertzler-McCain

In This Issue

Illuminating the icons

Theologian Eve Tibbs’s book on Eastern Orthodox iconography is accessible, enlightening, and beautifully illustrated.

by Scot McKnight

Art that stretches us

I’ve been thinking about different ways visual art can challenge our perceptions and assumptions.

by Peter W. Marty

Shared songs with new meaning

My colleague’s Black church was taking a break from anti-racism work with White churches. So we decided to sing together.

by Melissa Florer-Bixler

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Voices

Illustration of columnist Mellisa Florer-Bixler

Melissa Florer-Bixler

Shared songs with new meaning

My colleague’s Black church was taking a break from anti-racism work with White churches. So we decided to sing together.

Illustration of columnist Julian DeShazier

Julian DeShazier

Pastors and professionals

The church doesn’t just need leadership development. It needs processes, ongoing assessment, and shared accountability.

Sketch of Phil Christman

Phil Christman

Abolish ICE, and don’t stop there

Law enforcement officers generally resist any attempt to bring them to heel, and they are usually successful.

Sketch of Peter Choi

Peter Choi

What type of knowledge does the psalmist have?

Cultural anthropologist Johannes Fabian’s work has helped me better understand scripture—and my own faith.

Image of Alejandra Oliva

Alejandra Oliva

My summer of acedia

I encountered Kathleen Norris’s Acedia and Me at a time when just about everything felt like more trouble than it was worth.

Illustration of columnist Rachel Mann

Rachel Mann

The silent, suffering God

I’ve spent weeks in the hospital this year. I keep waiting for God to speak.

Politics

When Caesar gets demanding

“What will be God’s,” asks Tertullian, “if all things are Caesar’s?” It’s a challenging question at a time when the state is asking us to acquiesce to a secret, unaccountable police force.

by Michael Woolf

Shared songs with new meaning

My colleague’s Black church was taking a break from anti-racism work with White churches. So we decided to sing together.

by Melissa Florer-Bixler

God’s relentless gaze

Like the surveillance state, the Christ Pantocrator icon asserts an omnipresent authority. But it also asserts divine mercy and love.

by Arthur Aghajanian

From the Editors

Facing fascism

As lawless gangs of ICE agents terrorize city neighborhoods, it’s getting harder to maintain that the United States is a democracy.