Looking for a Detox for Unhealthy Masculinity

And other responses to our July/August issue.

Abigail Erickson

It’s time to change the way we talk and think about male sexuality,” writes Zachary Wagner in the Speaking Out section of our July/August issue. The church, Wagner argues, hasn’t done its part to set boys up for success. Purity culture has too often cast men as “sexual animals,” rather than offering Jesus as an example of gentle self-control and godly maturity.

Wagner’s reflection—based on his book Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality—joins a conversation that’s been taking place inside and outside Christian circles this year. Richard Reeves’s book Of Boys and Men and Christine Emba’s Washington Post column “Men are lost. Here’s a map out of the wilderness” are among the attempts to diagnose why men are struggling—in school, in the workplace, in families—and what can be done to help. Commenters on CT’s social media pages found Wagner’s vision of Christ-centered masculinity encouraging. “Thank you for putting Jesus as the highest example instead of politics or helpful debate,” wrote one woman.

Though a few said the article either went too far in support of “the feminist movement” or didn’t go far enough in “deconstructing the patriarchy,” and others wished Wagner had offered more concrete advice, many of those who commented found his take, in their words, “refreshing,” “timely,” and deserving of an “AMEN.”

Kate Lucky senior editor, audience engagement

Nondenominational Churches Are Growing and Multiplying in DC

Very few persons under the age of 60 or 65 are interested in or even know of anything related to a “denomination.” There’s a majority of youth that have no clue what a “church” is or even care. So these writings appear to be more of a traditional understanding of Christianity, even if they call themselves “nondenominational.”

David Traverzo Houston, TX

I was taken aback by comments in the article by Daniel Silliman. He states conservative nondenominational churches “teach that the gospel is political, but not partisan.” And a little further he quotes pastor Tonetta Landis-Aina as saying the same thing. To me, those statements are treading on dangerous ground and possibly giving tacit approval for actions and motivations that can easily cross the line into partisanship, whether one is liberal or conservative. Of course Jesus cares that we look out for the disadvantaged, but I would never characterize the gospel as being political!

Carol Ball Encinitas, CA

A denominational Christian like me (Presbyterian Church in Ireland) needs to consider carefully the blessings of not carrying denominational baggage. But what about accountability? There are structures in denominations to call to account a leader who goes rogue. I am disappointed that the article did not address this crucial issue.

John Faris Bangor, Ireland

Is God Pleased by Our Worship?

M. Daniel Carroll R. gets much right about the hollowed-out worship I believe many believers feel today. This is a well-timed article that names and brings to light a serious problem in the body of Christ. Sometimes our worship can and has led us further from God himself, and this article does get to the heart of our need to be confronted by the idea that we must be careful not to worship false gods.

At the same time, I felt uneasiness with his message about social justice being the center of our worship. My wife and I have led life-giving, Christ-centered drug and alcohol programs as Salvation Army officers that left men and families changed and engaged in Spirit-led churches. The writer is careful to distinguish between politicized social justice and godless humanist programs. However, I have run up against social justice advocates around the world and in our own country that hated Christ-centered programs and made it difficult in their spheres of influence.

John Greholver Hastings, MN

The church has gone so far from practices of humility, service, and truth that my soul has suffered. I feel sickened when attending church services that are not worshiping with humility. It is not easy to gather together without the distractions of entertainment and politics of government. CT really helps me be encouraged that God’s people are interspersed in the population and glad to serve by calling out the sin that seems to be destroying the calling of the church.

Sharon Hilderbrant Littleton, CO

I Loved Studying Math. I Needed God to Show Me Why.

I too was a physics and math major and came to the same conclusions as he did about the reality and influence of mathematical truths. I like the variety among the people highlighted in the testimony column each month. A testimony need not be dramatic to be valid and to bring glory to God.

Bill Dean Carmichael, CA

Behind the Scenes

Generations After Slavery, Georgia Neighbors Find Freedom and Repair in Christ

Our July/August cover story actually started as an online movie review. I learned that some Berry College professors were involved in a documentary called Her Name Was Hester. Journalist Melissa Morgan Kelley couldn’t make it to the movie showing, but she drove from her home in Atlanta to northeast Georgia to meet the subjects for herself. As soon as she recounted the conversations from her visit with these neighbors brought together by their shared faith and surprising history, I knew we had to make it a bigger feature story.

Kate Shellnutt editorial director, news

Also in this issue

How are the ways we interact with artificial intelligence shaping us? Our cover story this month explores how Christians working in tech fields are thinking through the ethical and spiritual implications of this and other AI-related questions. Also in this issue: Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s prison poetry, compensation for women’s ministry leaders, and insights from Hebrews on Christ’s solidarity in human suffering.

Cover Story

AI Will Shape Your Soul

New Yorkers Watch as Their Only Evangelical Colleges Close

Putting Christian and Missionary Alliance Theology in Song

Honor Thy Church Mothers—with Wages

Christians Seek to Expand Holy Land Tours to Include Christians

Colombian Christians Preached Social Justice. Practicing It Is Harder.

The Bots and the Bees

Testimony

I Hadn’t Committed Suicide. But I Was Spiritually Dead.

Culture War Is Not Spiritual Warfare

Stowaway Pastor Survives Atlantic Crossing

Praise Him with Harp and Tuba?

My High Priest Understands My Pain

5 Books on the Witness of the Old Testament Prophets

How to Handle Toxic Friendships

The Middle Ground Leads to Nowhere

Christian Imagination Can Change Our Culture Wars

Do Not Conform to the Work Habits of AI

The Cost of Creativity: Bonhoeffer Set Aside Ethics For Art. Did He Choose Well?

Take a Risk and Make a Friend

Review

The Gospel Is Greater Than Its Greatest Proclaimers

Review

Sticking Out and Fitting In as an Asian American Believer

New & Noteworthy Fiction

View issue

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Review

The Virgin Birth Is More Than an Incredible Occurrence

We’re eager to ask whether it could have happened. We shouldn’t forget to ask what it means.

The Nine Days of Filipino Christmas

Some Protestants observe the Catholic tradition of Simbang Gabi, predawn services in the days leading up to Christmas.

Why Armenian Christians Recall Noah’s Ark in December

The biblical account of the Flood resonates with a persecuted church born near Mount Ararat.

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Join CT for a Live Book Awards Event

A conversation with Russell Moore, Book of the Year winner Gavin Ortlund, and Award of Merit winner Brad East.

Excerpt

There’s No Such Thing as a ‘Proper’ Christmas Carol

As we learn from the surprising journeys of several holiday classics, the term defies easy definition.

Advent Calls Us Out of Our Despair

Sitting in the dark helps us truly appreciate the light.

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