The End of Nominal Protestantism

What does the rise of the religiously unaffiliated mean for the future of mainline denominations?

The End of Nominal Protestantism

The End of Nominal Protestantism

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This article appeared in the December, 2012 issue of Christianity Today as "Spotlight: The End of Nominal Protestantism".

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.

December

Christianity Today December, 2012

Cover Story

Incredible Journeys: What to Make of Visits to Heaven

My Top 5 Books on Israel & Palestine

Gary Burge

Review

Rest Works

Leslie Leyland Fields

This American Christian Life

Elesha Coffman

Do American Christians Need the Message of Grace or a Call to Holiness?

Will Willimon, Halee Gray Scott, and Margaret Feinberg

Excerpt

Why Everyone Needs Theology

Kelly M. Kapic

Why Jonathan Bock Wants More Christians in the Arts

Mark Moring

The Relentless Passion of Francis Chan

Interview by Mark Galli

News

African Pastors Lead Crusade for Circumcision

Moses Wasamu in Nairobi, Kenya

Review

Home Away from Home

Paul Marshall

Genocide in Shades of Pink

Marian V. Liautaud

Why 'Mere Christianity' Should Have Bombed

John G. Stackhouse Jr.

Three Is the Loveliest Number

Michael Reeves

Misreading the Magnificat

Created to Make Homes

Ryan Salyards

News

Should Churches Discourage Belief in Santa Claus?

Compiled by Ruth Moon

Breast-feeding in the Back Pew

R.M. Stone

Editorial

Subverting the Taliban

A Christianity Today Editorial

Was the Real St. Nick Better than Santa Claus?

Interview by Elissa Cooper

News

State-Sponsored Pilgrimages Under Review in Nigeria

Sunday Oguntola in Lagos

News

Exodus International Fragments Over Focus

Weston Gentry

News

After D'Souza's Departure, The King's College Seeks Doctrine Over Politics

Melissa Steffan

Team of Champions

Harold Smith

News

Quotation Marks

Review

The White Umbrella

Matt Reynolds

Review

The Terrible Speed of Mercy

Matt Reynolds

Review

Brigham Young

Todd C. Ream

A Veggie Good Time

Mark Moring

Wilson's Bookmarks

John Wilson

Letters to the Editor

News

Go Figure

News

Gleanings

Our Latest

cosmic-plinko

Wonderology

Cosmic Plinko

Are we here by chance?

People attend the Easter drone show at The Church on Masters Road in Manvel, Texas.

News

Churches Try Drones and Skydiving Bunnies for Easter Outreach

“We want to make it about Jesus and getting people excited about the Easter season and going to church somewhere.”

A photo of Benjamin Watson at mic with the title of the podcast The Just Life overlaid on the image

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Tony Dungy: What It Costs to Stand for Your Faith

Speaking up for the value of all life in the face of criticism.

The Evangelical Roots of North Korea’s Kim Family

Interview by Mike Cosper

Q&A with Jonathan Cheng on how the Christian gospel can be twisted for political aims.

The U.S. Supreme Court building on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

SCOTUS Ruling on ‘Conversion Therapy’ Is a Win for Christians

This week’s Chiles v. Salazar ruling allows counselors freedom to serve their clients in the ways they see fit.

man being interviewed

From Our Community

A Renewed Subscription and a Broadened Perspective

Hannah Glad

How one Texan lawyer found himself reading CT again and supporting the One Kingdom Campaign.

An image of Jesus coming out of the tomb.

Public Theology Project

Easter Is Not a Zombie Story

Jesus joined us in death—and defeated it.

An image of Iran and a CT magazine cover.

What $18 Would Get You

Daniel Silliman

In 1979, CT investigated deceptive Christians, made the case for psychology, and watched Islam with concern.