A Rise in Black Christian Nationalism?

Last updated on: May 29, 2025 at 3:30 pm By Ansley Quiros

If you follow data and polling around religion and American politics, you’ve probably (whether knowingly or unknowingly) utilized the work of the Public Religion Research Institute. PRRI, an organization founded by Robbie P. Jones and directed by CEO Melissa Deckman, aims “to help journalists, scholars, thought leaders, clergy, and the general public better understand debates on public policy issues and the important cultural and religious dynamics shaping American society and politics.” In addition to creating space for academics and analysts... Read more

1893: Feminists, Hidden Gospels, Witches, and Occult Powers

Last updated on: May 29, 2025 at 6:48 am By Philip Jenkins

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I have been describing the cultural and spiritual transformations that occurred in the United States in the critical year of 1893. These include the US encounter with Global Faiths in the World Parliament of Religions, and the popular discovery of Biblical Higher Criticism during the heresy trial of scholar Charles August Briggs. Today I want to talk about what was arguably a still more important theme that was epitomized by a book that appeared in that year, namely Woman, Church... Read more

Chronicling the Elusive Joseph Smith

Last updated on: May 28, 2025 at 7:54 am By Daniel K. Williams

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A review of John G. Turner, Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet (Yale University Press, 2025) Few figures in American religious history are as difficult to write about as Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That’s not because of a lack of records. Smith left behind numerous writings, including sermons, books, prophetic revelations, and personal correspondence. Numerous friends and acquaintances (as well as personal enemies) left behind their own... Read more

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Who Can Be Called “Pastor”?

Last updated on: May 23, 2025 at 4:17 pm By Jacob Randolph

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It’s almost Southern Baptist Convention season again and, as the argument over women’s roles in the church is destined to come to the floor again this year, I thought it might be apropos to bring this piece from 2023 back around. (If you’d like another angle, I also wrote a complementary piece [no pun intended] for Baptist News Global a few years ago.) Who Can Be Called “Pastor”? On Southern Baptists, Ancient Bishops, and What Goes without Saying Pope Callistus... Read more

1893: Reading the Bible as Mythology

Last updated on: May 21, 2025 at 4:49 pm By Philip Jenkins

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I am currently writing about the year 1893, and arguing that it was of immense significance in American culture, and especially in religious matters. If you were a literate American with any interest whatever in religion or spirituality, these were heady and even revolutionary times. And for once, the religious excitement ventured far beyond the familiar frontiers of Christianity and Judaism. The range of available spiritual options broadened massively, as did the number of acceptable perspectives on traditional faith. Modern... Read more

When Did Pentecostals Start Liking the Pope?

Last updated on: May 28, 2025 at 1:34 pm By Alex Mayfield

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Growing up Pentecostal, my introduction to Catholic life came slowly and almost accidentally when a friend started sharing about her upcoming confirmation in between Pre-Algebra and English class. “You get a new name? That’s so cool,” I said excitedly. “Meh,” she responded. Unlike me, she was not a burgeoning theology nerd. Her baptismal name was probably just going to be Mary, and it would only come at the end of a very long, very tedious catechism class. Still, I thought,... Read more

Nicene Worship: Then and Now

Last updated on: May 19, 2025 at 3:57 pm By Adam Renberg

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I had the privilege of attending a conference in Rome on the Council of Nicaea about a month ago. Throughout the various plenaries, panels, and discussions, different historical and theological aspects of the council were explored in rigorous and exciting ways—it was a joy to be a part of! It was not until the final event of the conference that I felt we had truly gotten to the heart of Nicaea, though. The final event was a social, in which... Read more

From Sede Vacante to Habemus Papam: Welcoming Pope Leo XIV

Last updated on: May 17, 2025 at 3:21 pm By Verónica A. Gutiérrez

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Last Thursday morning, May 8, 2025, as I finished up a morning Zoom call with a Mexican theologian to discuss the theological implications of my Juan Diego manuscript, I looked at the time and nearly panicked. Had I missed it? Hastily searching online for a live feed from the Vatican, I ended up with French audio. Moments later, white smoke began billowing from the Sistine Chapel chimney: the evening vote in Rome had resulted in a new Supreme Pontiff for... Read more

1893 And The Making of Modern America

Last updated on: May 12, 2025 at 9:53 am By Philip Jenkins

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There are years when everything seems to happen at once, years that shape conditions for decades to come. 1915 is one such, 1968 another – and as I have learned through writing a good many books, 1893 is another, and above all in matters of religion and spirituality. Now, I know what you are probably thinking here. 1893 is already very famous in such matters, as the time of the very influential World’s Parliament of Religions, held in Chicago, and... Read more

Joan vs Joan: Feelings and Tanks

Last updated on: May 15, 2025 at 8:21 am By Michael Jimenez

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“Above all, she is the girl who ‘feels’ things”—Joan Didion about Joan Baez (Didion, 48) It was one of the first times I arrived on campus, a late August or early September day in Pasadena. I was wearing a shirt that had a picture of a tank followed by the words ” A Lot”. My wife tells me all the time how much she hates these type of adolescent shirts that someone my age should probably stop wearing. She often... Read more