Journalistic Spadework

One writer we know dropped out of journalism school in order to take a degree in history. “I knew how to write,” he said. “But I desperately needed something to write about.” Researching the story, getting the “something to write about,” is the hard work of magazine journalism. And for this issue, two staff writers paid their dues—one with the books, another on the scene.

For “The Abortion Wars” (p. 16), Tim Stafford read everything available on the history of conflict over abortion. But he also talked to former CT editors from the period in which evangelicals caught the vision of the moral horror of abortion. It was a strange feeling to read Tim’s initial draft and find how the history of this magazine intertwines with the history of the abortion debate.

Meanwhile, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Kim Lawton was trying to attend the trial of televangelist Jim Bakker. Knowing how second-hand information can be distorted, CT wanted its own eyes and ears in the cramped courtroom—so small that only 14 journalists were allowed in the first day. And since seats were on a first-come, first-served basis, Kim showed up at 6:00 A M. There she found paid stand-ins for the network superstars. She got in, but the next day the rules changed, and Kim’s number wasn’t drawn in the lottery. Day three found her again on the inside for the most bizarre happenings: the fainting of a key witness and Bakker’s last appearance before his nervous breakdown.

DAVID NEFF, Senior Associate Editor

Our Latest

News

Amid Fragile Cease-Fire, Limited Aid Reaches Gazans

Locals see the price of flour rise and fall as truce is strained and some borders remain closed.

News

Federal Job Cuts Hit Home as Virginia Picks Its Next Governor

Meanwhile, the GOP candidate draws from Trump’s playbook to focus on transgender issues in schools. 

Religious OCD and Me

Scrupulosity latches onto the thing we hold most dear—our relationship with God.

Why ‘The Screwtape Letters’ Is Uncomfortable to Watch

The two-actor play uses C. S. Lewis’s classic work to warn people—especially Christians—about the dangers of lukewarm faith.

News

Fewer Hong Kong Youth Interested in Seminary

Many feel disillusioned about the church and its lack of engagement amid the turmoil of the past few years.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Tiffany Loftin: How Everyday People Win Big Change

A conversation about the challenges of sustaining joy while fighting injustice.

Public Theology Project

A Real Revival Is Not Controllable 

It implies a movement of the Spirit, not just a boost in numbers.

From Our Community

For Vince Bacote, the Black Evangelical Story Has Something for Everyone

The theologian behind a recent documentary on what compelled him to tell a challenging and beautiful story.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube