Not a Mere Museum Piece

Why the Bible is better-suited for DC than I am.

U.S. Air Force / Getty Images

I have written before that, as a seminarian, I quit subscribing to Christianity Today when it relocated decades ago from Washington, DC, to Carol Stream, Illinois. At the time, I thought it irresponsible to leave the corridors of national power, where I believed evangelicals should be if they were to remain relevant to the culture.

In retrospect, moving from DC was wise. Had we remained there, we would have felt increasingly tempted by partisan politics, taking one side or another and along the way self-righteously condemning those who disagreed with our particular political solutions. We would have become Christian Politics Today.

Instead, our calling as a magazine is to speak the truth in love (beautiful orthodoxy!) on all manner of issues, grounded not in political opinion but in the great teaching of Scripture, looking for Jesus not in the halls of Congress but in his work in and through his church, the one institution he promised to remain with.

We do not ignore politics, to be sure. But the climate today is more politicized than ever, and the temptation to be political is ever present. Thus we remind ourselves that the most political thing we Christians do every week happens in worship, when we recognize that Jesus is Lord.

That said, some Christians certainly do need to be in the corridors of power. And that is why locating the Museum of the Bible there is a good move. To have a Bible-centered museum in the same place as the Smithsonian museums, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum suggests rightly that you cannot understand America unless you are familiar with the Bible. It’s part and parcel of our national heritage.

The founders of the Museum of the Bible are, of course, hoping for more than a tip of the hat to heritage. They believe, as do we, that simple exposure to the Bible is enough to do wonders. It remains “alive and active” (Heb. 4:12), a means by which people encounter the living God.

The Bible enters into nearly every piece in this issue—from an examination of Micah 6:8 to pieces on suicide and antibiotics. Sometimes the connection is obvious and direct. At other times biblical teaching is more or less assumed. In either case, the Bible for us is not a mere museum piece, let alone a stick upon which we raise a partisan political flag. We hope that whenever it is read or referenced in our pages, readers will meet Jesus Christ anew. No matter where our offices are located.

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.

Our Latest

High Time for an Honest Conversation about THC

Legal cannabis may be here to stay, but the Christian conversation is just getting started.

The National Guard Debate Needs a Dose of Honesty

Criticizing federal overreach while remaining silent about local failures does not serve the cause of justice.

News

Saudi Arabian Prison Frees Kenyan After ‘Blood Money’ Payout

A Christian mother relied on the Muslim practice of “diyat” to bring her son home alive.

Why Fans Trust Forrest Frank

The enormously popular Christian artist says he experienced miraculous healing. His parasocial friends say “amen.”

How a Missionary Family in Lebanon Produced an American Hero

Bill Eddy’s Arabic acumen served US interests and forged Middle East ties.

Eight Divine Names in One Glorious Passage

Hebrew terms for God appear across the Old Testament. The prophet Isaiah brings them all together.

The Bulletin

Venezuelan Boat Attack, Payday Loans, and USAID Fire Sale

The Bulletin discusses the attack on an alleged Venezuelan drug boat, predatory lending, and the destruction of items from cancelled USAID projects.

Why an Early American Missionary Family Was Beloved in Lebanon

Over five decades of multigenerational ministry, the Eddys pioneered health and educational outreach.

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