Wonder on the Web

Links to amazing stuff

Holy Masquerade

Apparently Egyptian commoners had mummy masks made of papyrus, and scientists have now discovered inside of one what may be the oldest copy of a gospel we have. Imagine being the peasant who’s buried with first-century scraps of Mark’s gospel on his face. Gives new meaning to the prophet’s call to “bind [these words] on your forehead” (Deut. 11:18).

When Church Plants Run Like Startups

“How does one even start a church in the land of $3,000 studio apartments?” asks Annie Gaus in The Guardian. She profiles Silicon Valley pastors who parallel church plants and startups. “Churches are the original crowdfunders,” apparently. Gaus’s prose is that rare type that carries one along with a subtle strength, pointing through the words to the story.

Poetry for Lent

We’re en route to Easter, but for now, it’s still appropriate to contemplate our mortality. One good way to do that is reading T. S. Eliot’s famous conversion poem, Ash Wednesday. It’s wonderfully accessible, at points. And then sometimes the allusions render it incomprehensible. This annotated version eases the burden for those of who aren’t Dante scholars.

Why the Wilderness Anyhow?

Lent is not about your spiritual growth. Or so says our CT colleague Kevin Emmert. Comparing Jesus’ 40 days of temptation and our observation of Lent, he sees discrepancy: namely, that Jesus fasted on behalf of us, but we don’t focus our fasts on others. A compelling argument.

Pop, Pop

If you ever experienced the childhood delight of watching and listening as popcorn popped on the stove (or the terror the first time you forgot to put the lid on), you’ll appreciate this minute-long video on the physics of popcorn

Also in this issue

The Behemoth was a small digital magazine about a big God and his big world. It aimed to help people behold the glory of God all around them, in the worlds of science, history, theology, medicine, sociology, Bible, and personal narrative.

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News

As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire

University president praises the community’s “calm resilience” as students and staff shelter in place in fireproof buildings.

The Russell Moore Show

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, and Russell discuss this year’s reads.

News

The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal

Seventeen years after the former Hindu kingdom became a secular state, Christians have a pathway to legal recognition.

The Holy Family and Mine

Nativity scenes show us the loving parents we all need—and remind me that my own parents estranged me over my faith.

Why Christians Oppose Euthanasia

The immorality of killing the old and ill has never been in question for Christians. Nor is our duty to care for those the world devalues.

China’s Churches Go Deep Rather than Wide at Christmas

In place of large evangelism outreaches, churches try to be more intentional in the face of religious restrictions and theological changes.

Wire Story

Study: Evangelical Churches Aren’t Particularly Political

Even if members are politically active and many leaders are often outspoken about issues and candidates they support, most congregations make great efforts to keep politics out of the church when they gather.

News

Investigation to Look at 82 Years of Missionary School Abuse

Adult alumni “commanded a seat at the table” to negotiate for full inquiry.

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