From its roots in the early Eastern church, through the Benedictine centuries, to the birth of new kinds of religious orders in the Middle Ages

The unpredictable Charles Sheldon gave it a try.

The story behind his long list.

Where worshippers place their posteriors also shapes their interiors

A brief history of the Christmas tree.

The central section of the timeline shows the growth of evangelical parachurch organizations, institutions, and associations during this era. Founders names are in parentheses.

Dig Deeper into this issue's theme

New gifts from the death camps, plus a new book on quitting church to follow Jesus.

Newdow and InnerChange rejected in court, archeologists debate new find's support of the Bible.

The theme of Christ's death followed Michelangelo through his whole life.

Michelangelo Buonarotti reached the pinnacle of fame as a sculptor, painter, and architect, yet he longed for something more.

Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel make a profound statement about the creation story—and the artist's own creativity.

Justification by faith, in living color.

The masterpieces of Fra Angelico showed painter Bruce Herman the beauty of Christian truth—and his own calling as a Christian artist.

Interesting facts about Michelangelo and the Renaissance

Five artists who captured the imagination of the church

Rebirth and reform in Renaissance Italy.