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February 17, 2026

This edition is sponsored by Gloo

Today’s Briefing

As Christian refugees disappeared in Minnesota, their churches prayed, fasted—and lawyered up. Emily Belz reports from the Twin Cities.

It’s never too late to start celebrating the 1,400-year-old tradition of Ash Wednesday.

Andrew Wilson takes a look at the psalm that Martin Luther celebrated as the core of Scripture.

How the Lord’s Supper can heal church hurt.

CT’s Lent devotionals begin today.

Behind the Story

Senior editorial project manager Mia Staub: Tonight, I am attending my first ever Ash Wednesday service. I grew up in a nondenominational church but I don’t think I had even heard of Ash Wednesday until I was in college, when classmates showed up with ashes on their heads.

Now that our church is having its first Ash Wednesday service, I have thought through some somewhat silly but also genuine questions: Is there something specific I should or shouldn’t wear? Should I preemptively pin back my bangs? How long do I keep the ashes on my forehead? But more seriously, I have been asking about this upcoming season of self-denial. What are sins I need to be forgiven of? Is there something God is asking me to fast from in this season, like scrolling social media or binging TV shows? What ways should I be seeking reconciliation with others and with God?

Whether this is your first, second, or thirtieth Ash Wednesday service—or you have never partaken—this season acknowledges the sacrifice of Christ and the longing for a restored heaven on earth. This is the daily reality humanity faces, and I am grateful for a dedicated season to reflect on the ways Christ embodied our suffering before we celebrate the hope we find in the Resurrection.

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In Other News

Rev. Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader who mounted two bids for the presidency, died Tuesday at age 84. CT published an in-depth profile of Jackson and his role in the church back in 2002.
Russian president Vladimir Putin is using Christianity, specifically the Russian Orthodox Church, to try to expand his country’s influence in Africa.
A young content creator in Ohio is trying to visit 47 Christian denominations in as many weeks, though he has no plans to change from his nondenominational roots.

Thank you to our 2025 Sustaining Partners

Sustaining Partners are special friends of CT who give $1,000 or more to the ministry each year. These important partners are helping more people around the world see how God is at working bringing his kingdom on earth. Learn more about joining this community.

Today in Christian History

February 18, 1546: German reformer Martin Luther dies in Eisleben. In one of his pockets he had placed the beginning of a projected manuscript against Roman Catholics. In another pocket was a slip of paper reminding him, “We are beggars, that’s the truth” (see issue 39: Luther’s Later Years).

Cities Church Isn’t Alone in Experiencing Hostility

When protesters disrupted a worship service at Cities Church in St. Paul in January, the disturbance became the latest example of hostility against churches and places of worship. The Family…

From Communism to Christ

Several episodes in season 5 of The Chosen begin with Jesus and the apostles gathered for the Last Supper, a Passover meal. In a ritual familiar from my Jewish childhood,…

We’ve Still Got Heaven Wrong

I imagine if N. T. Wright had his way, we might never again use the word heaven. In Wright’s view, for churches and believers to more deeply inhabit the biblical…

Emotions Don’t Just Happen to You

What does it feel like to be a Christian? For some, this will sound like precisely the wrong question to ask. But say all you want about “happy clappy” Christianity or a toxic emphasis…

in the magazine

Cover of the January / February 2026 of Christianity Today.

When Jesus taught, he used parables. The kingdom of God is like yeast, a net, a pearl. Then and today, to grasp wisdom and spiritual insight, we need the concrete. We need stories. In this issue of Christianity Today, we focus on testimony—the stories we tell, hear, and proclaim about God’s redemptive work in the world. Testimony is a personal application of the Good News. You’ll read Marvin Olasky’s testimony from Communism to Christ, Jen Wilkin’s call to biblical literacy, and a profile on the friendship between theologian Miroslav Volf and poet Christian Wiman. In an essay on pickleball, David Zahl reminds us that play is also a testament to God’s grace. As you read, we hope you’ll apply the truths of the gospel in your own life, church, and neighborhood. May your life be a testimony to the reality of God’s kingdom.

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