A Women’s Issue

The 50—make that 51—reasons I love this magazine.

Answer: "Christianity Today seems like a men's magazine."

The question? "What are your impressions of CT?"—one of several asked by Mark Galli and Ted Olsen during my interview for the copy editor position here several years ago. Given the slightest air of fresh-faced disdain in my answer, I'm still a bit surprised they offered me the job.

Five years later—especially with the appearance of the issue in your hands—I can happily report that CT has come a long way, baby.

The shift in part is cultural. The week this issue went to press, a copy of a new book from journalist Hanna Rosin came across my desk, its timing apt. An extension of her 2010 Atlantic cover story, The End of Men examines the reasons why, for the first time in history, women in the West are outpacing men in education and nearly every profession. These major shifts can't help dramatically affecting local churches, where the majority of regular attendees continue to be women (see Spotlight).

We at CT have long believed that such gains can mean much kingdom fruit, as we have covered in the magazine time and again. As more Christian women lead nonprofits, write Bible studies, create new laws, make music, teach, publish novels, and helm colleges, the body of Christ will be enriched, strengthened, and more clearly reflect the fullness of God's purposes for humanity. Our cover package on the "50 Women You Should Know" highlights women profoundly shaping the church and the faith. Some names are household and have appeared in CT before; others, we hadn't heard of before our (admittedly unscientific) survey. Don't miss the list as well as the introductory essay from another Christian woman making waves, online editor Sarah Pulliam Bailey (page 22). Sarah's tireless efforts made this cover story possible.

Actually, the list of 50 women could easily become 51—if you go on to count CT's newest column (page 66). Some of you will recognize the author, Karen Swallow Prior, from CT's website for women. We couldn't be more thrilled to introduce Her.meneutics to our print readers. In her column, Karen, chair of Liberty University's English and modern languages department, tackles classic literature. But the topics we will cover are varied, as will be the writers who contribute to the column. Look for a second installment in the December issue, and look for daily doses at ChristianityToday.com/women.

And now, a historical tidbit: As far as anyone on staff can recall, this is the first Inside CT column written by a woman. A men's magazine, indeed.

Next issue: Why religious institutions deserve special treatment by the government; and Andy Crouch traces how "the common good" became an evangelical buzz phrase.

Also in this issue

The CT archives are a rich treasure of biblical wisdom and insight from our past. Some things we would say differently today, and some stances we've changed. But overall, we're amazed at how relevant so much of this content is. We trust that you'll find it a helpful resource.

Cover Story

50 Women You Should Know

Excerpt

How We Hide Our Suffering

Downton Abbey's Real Legacy

The Yes and No of Healing

News

Uganda Tells 1 Million Couples: You're Not Really Married

Review

The Foreign Mission Field Two Minutes Away

News

How Not to Care for Widows

'Once Upon a Time:' When Pagans Get Real

News

Christian Colleges Try Massive Online Courses

Review

The Love We Dare Not Ignore

Love Isn't Easy in Man Camp Ministry

Is It Stealing From God to Split Your Tithe Between the Church and Other Charities?

Justin Zoradi Believes Education Can Eradicate Poverty

How to Eat, Play, Love—And Do Other Christian Acts

Ajith Fernando: On the Anvil of Suffering

News

Why Churches Worship Illegally—In Paris

News

Opening the Adoption Files

Wilson's Bookmarks

The Bonds of Freedom

Review

Born to Sing: No Plan B

Review

Review: Finding God

Review

Review: The Gentle Giant of Dynamite Hill

My Top 5 Books on The Cold War

How Books Helped Save My Soul

Editorial

Abusing the Megaphone

Letters to the Editor

The Regnerus Affair

News

Is Megachurch Worship Addictive?

News

Quotation Marks

News

Go Figure

The Spiritual Sex

News

Gleanings

The Confessions of Scott Stapp

View issue

Our Latest

News

Died: John Huffman, Pastor Who Told Richard Nixon to Confess

The Presbyterian minister and CT board member committed to serve the Lord and “let the chips fall where they may.”

The Pastor Who Rescues People from Japan’s ‘Suicide Cliff’

Yoichi Fujiyabu has spent three decades sharing God’s love to people who want to end their lives.

An Ode to the Long Season

Why fans love a game designed to break their hearts.

Is This Heaven? No, It’s Banana Ball

What baseball’s most amusing team gets right about joy in sports.

News

Black Clergy and Christians Grapple with Charlie Kirk’s Legacy

Many say the activist’s inflammatory statements on race should inform how we remember his life.

News

A Sudden Death: Voddie Baucham, Who Warned the Church of Fault Lines

Known for confronting critical theory, moral relativism, and secular ideologies, Baucham died a month into leading a new seminary in Florida.

Why Many Black Christians Reject the Evangelical and Mainline Labels

The history of a prominent church pastored by MLK in Alabama shows the reason African Americans often don’t embrace either term.

News

Pastor Abducted in Nigeria Amid Escalating Kidnapping Crisis

Armed gang continues to hold him after family paid the ransom.

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