Cover Story
Cover Story
Here Come the Radicals!
David Platt, Francis Chan, Shane Claiborne, and now Kyle Idleman are dominating the Christian best-seller lists by attacking our comfortable Christianity. But is ‘radical faith’ enough?
Features
Django Unchained and the Quest for Revenge
Violent and troubling visions of our own culture can help Christians answer the call to love.
Bigger Than We Think
The doctrine of Creation goes deeper than just explaining how the world began.
The Sabbath Swimming Lesson
When unemployment threatens to sink us, God keeps our heads above water.
Hotter Than All the Fifty Shades in the World
How God’s design for marital romance provides the “tension” for sustained passion.
The Love Shack
William Paul Young explains the theology behind his best-selling novels and why he’s no longer at war with himself.
Orphans in Limbo
Russia’s recent adoption announcements leave American parents confused—and 700,000 Russian children waiting.
More from this Issue
Testimony
The Atheist’s Dilemma
I tried to face down an overwhelming body of evidence, as well as the living God.
Giving It Everything
What we like about the new radicals. Really.
News
News
Why Latino Enrollments Are on the Rise
A new alliance of Christian schools wants to see Hispanics compose 25 percent off their student body by 2015.
I Love You—I Just Don’t Trust You
A new study finds a connection between trust and theology. An infographic.
News
How a Catholic-Pentecostal Split Could Help Nigeria’s Militant Islamists
United body divides for the first time in 40 years over politics and Islam.
News
Quotation Marks
Recent comments of note on religious liberty, China’s one child policy, and other issues.
News
Radical Proposal to Weed Out ‘Fake Pastors’ Splits Kenyans
Should courts vet clergy for integrity?
News
Should an Iowa Dentist Have Fired his Attractive Assistant?
He feared he would try to have an affair. Did he do the right thing?
News
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Courts Shouldn’t ‘Second-Guess’ Pastoral Counseling of Sex Abuse Victims
Legal observers question whether clergy-penitent privilege applies to denomination accused of covering up crimes.
Reviews
My Top 5 Books on Creativity
Literature that reveals what art and beauty ought to be.
Review
Is Longer Life Better?
Gilbert Meilaender looks at the case for using science to extend human life.
Review
Anxious About Assurance
How can we be sure that we are saved? A Calvinist and Lutheran answer.
Happy Meals
Rachel Marie Stone believes food is far more than fuel.
Quick Takes
Three recent books of note.
Wilson’s Bookmarks
The editor of Books & Culture’s recent reads.
Excerpt
Jesus Doesn’t Need Help
Well-intentioned impulses can lead to modeling ourselves after the wrong Christ.
Views
Who Defines Doctrine?
Often it’s not the theologians but the people. Here’s why.
More Than a Right
We need a better way to discuss women’s ordination.
What Classic Spiritual Discipline Needs the Most Renewal Among American Christians?
Three leading Christians on growing in Christ.
Editorial
The Future of Today’s Christianity
We have news to offer that is good for us and our children’s children.
Letters to the Editor
Readers write and respond to the December issue.