Creating a magazine is always full of surprises. In developing this issue, we discussed the diverse, global, and often-fractured landscape of evangelicalism. I guessed what would emerge: analysis on “worship wars,” gender divides, and other ways we’ve segmented ourselves into factions where any “evangelism” we do is just online shouting matches for our in-group. Frankly, we’re tiring of that.
At some level, heaping analysis atop analysis does not lead to acting in love or to showing hospitality to strangers—whereby, the Book of Hebrews reminds us, some have unknowingly entertained angels (13:2). Even if we charitably chalk an abundance of analysis up to a desire to be thoughtful, it still gives us an opportunity to shirk responsibility or maintain a theoretical distance from discomfort, pain, or suffering.
Rather than focusing on division, we framed this issue on Jesus’ cosmic, life-altering grace. As we act in response to grace, Jesus’ upside-down kingdom reorients our relationship with power and helps us see, serve, and love people very different from us.
Like Paul, we may need to be struck by a blinding light in the middle of the road. We may need the prayers and touch of someone like Ananias, against whom Paul was “breathing out murderous threats” (Acts 9:1). As poet John Donne knew, we must be acted upon from the outside. Donne asked God to “break, blow, burn, and make me new.” Divine grace both enthralls and knocks us down.
In this issue, Molly Worthen reminds us that our snobbery is a blockade to wrestling with Jesus (while highlighting that CCM worship songs were part of her conversion). Elizabeth Bruenig shares in a Q&A about the transforming power of forgiveness against the backdrop of death row. And Daniel Silliman’s essay lifts the veil on modern-day gambling to expose the yearning heart of the spiritual but not religious. In each essay, there is a tone: a suppleness, a lightness, a sense that we are fellow pilgrims in need of the transforming work of the Spirit.
We’re also pleased to feature the Compassion Awards, a longtime project of executive editor Marvin Olasky, now housed at Christianity Today. Here we profile seven nonprofits who do real good in their communities—from immigration advocacy to temporary housing and more—inspiring compassion over cruelty.
The late Tim Keller often spoke about the essence of the gospel thus: We’re more evil than we think and more loved than we could imagine. This issue invites you to imagine with us. Seeking Jesus’ kingdom means our message will look foolish and be a stumbling block to those who don’t believe—maybe even to those on the right or left of us (1 Cor. 1:23). We’re okay with that. We invite you to seek the surprising kingdom with us as you read, share, and discuss not only the facts of the Good News and our broken world, but also the power of Christ to make all things new.
Ashley Hales is editorial director for print at Christianity Today.
This article appeared in the September/October 2025 issue of Christianity Today as "Editor's Note".
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