December 3, 2024

Today’s Briefing

Last week, British lawmakers voted for the first time in favor of assisted dying for terminally ill patients in a move Christian leaders referred to as “a very black Friday for the vulnerable.”

As the US Supreme Court hears arguments today over a Tennessee ban on hormone therapy and puberty blockers for minors, Christians can have a better conversation about transgender issues than they did about gay issues.

Justin Giboney pushes back against the “comparison morality” that led some to defend President Joe Biden’s decision to pardon his son.

Latino evangelicals want a straight answer on immigration.

A self-published author reckons with embarrassing low book sales and sees how God used his “failure” anyway.

Behind the Story

From editorial director of news Kate Shellnutt: One of our initiatives at Christianity Today involves bringing younger generations into our work, inviting them “into a community that pursues the kingdom of God together.” Right now, 40 percent of CT’s audience is under 35, and we want to be doing more to tap into emerging conversations, technologies, and leaders.

Earlier this year, we launched the NextGen Accelerator, a fellowship program for young creatives. A few of them are journalists or aspiring journalists. One fellow, Anna Mares, began reporting for CT last year. Another, Christopher Kuo, had his first story run this week. Kuo is a former New York Times fellow living in Limerick, Ireland, who wrote about the UK’s proposal to legalize assisted dying.

It’s such an encouragement to me as an editor to connect with young, talented writers who are excited about the work we are doing at CT and want to be a part of it!

In Other News

Filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza apologizes for false claims he made promoting a conspiracy that the 2020 election was stolen. The Christian media company that distributed the discredited film apologized ahead of the 2024 election as part of a legal settlement.
Around 150 Indigenous Baptists in Mexico are unable to return to their homes in a majority-Catholic village.
A Calvary Chapel in Maine is suing the state university system for discrimination, claiming it was not allowed to purchase a campus building due to its Christian beliefs.
Christmas celebrations have been canceled in Bethlehem.

Today in Christian History

December 4, 749: Greek Orthodox theologian and hymnographer John of Damascus dies near Jerusalem. One of the great theologians of the Eastern Orthodox church, he wrote comprehensively on the theology of Eastern Christianity and fought against those who wanted to rid the church of icons (see issue 54: Eastern Orthodoxy and issue 74: Christians & Muslims).

The Christianity Today Book Awards

Let’s say you want to write a book. You’ve got a captivating story to tell or a compelling argument to make. You’ve got a gift with words. That’s a good…

Christianity Today’s Book of the Year

The CT Book Awards often resemble those viral online images that look completely different to different segments of the population. Gather any group of judges, and their evaluations inevitably land…

Winning the Pro-Life Battles, Losing the Persuasion War

The pro-life movement won a historic victory at the US Supreme Court with Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. It has not, however, won over many hearts and minds. In…

Strike Up the Band: Sixpence None the Richer Goes Back on Tour

I caught a stranger staring at my black and white Sixpence None the Richer shirt. “I’m trying not to one-hit wonder that band,” he confessed. The comment says a lot…

in the magazine

As this issue hits your mailboxes after the US election and as you prepare for the holidays, it can be easy to feel lost in darkness. In this issue, you’ll read of the piercing light of Christ that illuminates the darkness of drug addiction at home and abroad, as Angela Fulton in Vietnam and Maria Baer in Portland report about Christian rehab centers. Also, Carrie McKean explores the complicated path of estrangement and Brad East explains the doctrine of providence. Elissa Yukiko Weichbrodt shows us how art surprises, delights, and retools our imagination for the Incarnation, while Jeremy Treat reminds us of an ancient African bishop’s teachings about Immanuel. Finally, may you be surprised by the nearness of the “Winter Child,” whom poet Malcolm Guite guides us enticingly toward. Happy Advent and Merry Christmas.

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