December (Web-only) 2013

2013 Movie Picks: Mark Moring
Zombies, boats, pirates, Calvin & Hobbes, tales of Nazi Germany, and Matthew McConaughey.

Hot Wives, the Harlem Shake, and Our Favorite Posts from 2013
Readers and writers pick the best of Her.meneutics.

Chris Tomlin: On Top of the World
The most-sung artist in music history opens up about worship, justice, humility, and leading people to experience God on the most successful tour of his career.

Subjectivity Overload
The problem with sentimentality, porn, and emotion for emotion’s sake.

A Real Cause for Christian Outrage
Believers around the world are dying for their faith. Where’s the evangelical groundswell for them?

Our Love Affair with the Letter 'i'
Digital technology has the hallmarks of an alternative religion. How can we enjoy its blessings without falling into idolatry?

Blogging, Tweeting, and Instagramming in the Image of God
How the 'media event' of Scripture can teach us to use social media wisely.

Womanhood by the Book
Lessons from Jesus Feminist, Talking Taboo, and the Book of Jezebel.

Christmas Is For Everyone
The holiday’s jumble of pagan and Christian traditions just reflects how central it is for the imagination of the West.

Christ Doesn't Need Our Christmas Charity
Peter Greer, president/CEO of HOPE International, warns against do-gooderism that flaunts its goodness.

We're Not 'Too Fat' for Pictures
On being remembered for how we loved, not how much we weighed.

Your Husband Looks at Porn: Now What?
Advice from a husband and counselor on how to respond when your spouse is struggling

The 'Scandalous,' Nonsensical Portrayal of Christian Faith on TV
Scripted television still doesn’t get evangelicals.

Ann Voskamp's Simple, Upside-Down Christmas
The author of the year’s most popular Advent devotional shares her family traditions.

Why Jesus Doesn't Belong in Christmas Décor
Our attempts to portray our Savior, babe or not, fall sinfully short.

The Arrogance and Impatience of Church Planters
How slowing down helps us start stronger churches.

Should I Give a Cow or Cash for Christmas?
A guide to wise, charitable holiday giving.

How Julia Child and Tim Keller Schooled Me In Femininity
True womanhood runs deeper than our girly-girl stereotypes. (Thank God!)

American Hustle
A con artist film that is sometimes great fun, but never reaches the height of its characters' hairdos.

The Quick Take for December 13, 2013
New House of Cards trailer, Christmas picks on Netflix, and more.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
Can we really appreciate what's at stake if there's no risk involved?

China's Hardship-Hardened Church
Vibrant amid persecution, it seeks faithfulness over freedom.

Ladies, Who Needs a Drink?
More women are pouring themselves a glass—including me and my Christian friends.

The Case of the Mysterious Missing Books
Why do we fail to include some of this year's best books?

Frozen: A Disney Movie Where Sisters Actually Care For Each Other
Seeing sisterly love at the box office.

A Prayer for the Anxiety-Ridden Christian
Don’t tell us to “just pray.” Pray with us and for us.

Why Christians Should Care about Nelson Mandela, Justice, and Gospel Proclamation
An imperfect leader, Mandela pursued justice in a god-fearing way that should inspire us.

The Real Problem with Mark Driscoll's 'Citation Errors'
And it isn't plagiarism.

Fallen Angels? Christians and the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show
A response to ‘I’d rather marry a Proverbs 31 woman than a Victoria’s Secret model’

Doctrine that Actually Delights
J.I. Packer's Knowing God turns 40

What We Get Wrong About Gift-Giving
This Christmas, I’m letting the Bible, instead of my emotions, shape my gift list.

A Nelson Mandela Inspired Fantasy
What if evangelical leaders were to imitate the great South African—Yikes!

Inside Llewyn Davis
The Coens are legend-building again, this time with a striking resemblance to one of their old characters.

Died: Nelson Mandela, South African Leader Who Stood Against Apartheid
The legacy of the president who prized reconciliation has much to teach Christians about the necessity, the difficulty, and the limits of politics.

Let Advent Break Your Heart
Pausing in the pregnant darkness of “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Why Artists Belong in the Church Nursery
Good things happen when the bearded arts guy takes on the toddler room.

And Then God Said, 'You've Got Mail'
Millennials’ digital overload calls for lessons in mindfulness.

We're Just Not That Into Him
Are Christians too quick to judge their friends’ relationships?

The Most Difficult Time Of The Year
10 ways for people in recovery to relieve Christmas anxiety.