Ideas

What Was the Best News of 2014?

Observers weigh in on the year’s events that will most shape evangelical life, thought, or mission.

Steve Mueller, Flickr

“Engagement between evangelicals and Catholics has gone to a whole new level. In June, I had a three-hour project meeting with Pope Francis—with no agenda. In my tenure, I have not seen that kind of openness. There’s a shift taking place under Francis. He seems clearly geared toward evangelicals.” ~Geoff Tunnicliffe, secretary general, World Evangelical Alliance

“The decision by World Vision to immediately and completely revoke a new policy allowing for the hiring of persons in same-sex marriages. This was Christianity at its best. In a difficult circumstance, our brothers and sisters lovingly held accountable those in error, leading to repentance and a course correction.” ~Eric Teetsel, director, Manhattan Declaration

“Missionaries working with Ebola patients in West Africa brought attention to the continual work of missionaries around the world. Similarly, the ‘We are N’ movement brought more attention to persecuted minorities and made religious freedom advocacy trendy in a social media context.” ~Sarah Pulliam Bailey, national correspondent, Religion News Service

“The news of persecution of believers overseas seems to finally be shaking the North American church out of our bargain-basement prosperity gospel. As churches pray and work for freedom and justice, this could free us from the thin gruel of civil religion, and enable us to see who we are: the global body of Christ.” ~Russell Moore, president, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

“Immigrants are becoming Christians and starting new churches in large numbers. Our evangelical denominations are growing. Financial stewardship is on the rise. And most of our evangelical pastors are morally faithful and doctrinally orthodox. The good news is that there is plenty of good news about the Good News.” ~Leith Anderson, president, National Association of Evangelicals

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

The Bulletin

Attitudes Toward Israel, Kash Patel’s Lawsuit, and John Mark Comer’s Fame

Clarissa Moll, Russell Moore

Americans’ growing frustrations with Israel, Kash Patel sues The Atlantic for $250 million, and the popularity of John Mark Comer.

News

How a Kidnapping Changed a Theologian’s Mind

Interview by Emmanuel Nwachukwu

An interview with Sunday Bobai Agang about the lessons he learned from his abduction last month.

On America’s 250th, Remember Liberty Denied

Thomas S. Kidd

Three history books on the US slave trade.

News

What Christian Athletes Can’t Do

An NBA player’s fall resurrects an old anxiety: When does talking about faith become “detrimental conduct”?

News

Facing Arrest, Cuban Christian Influencers Continue Call for Freedom

Hannah Herrera

Young people are using social media to spread the gospel and denounce the Communist regime.

Public Theology Project

Against the Casinofication of the Church

The Atlantic’s McKay Coppins told me about problems that feel eerily similar to what I see in the church.

Wire Story

The Religion Gender Gap Among the Young Is Disappearing

Bob Smietana - Religion News Service

Women still dominate church pews, but studies find that devotion among Gen Z women has cooled to levels on par with Gen Z men.

Just War Theory Is Supposed to Be Frustrating

The venerable theological tradition makes war slower, riskier, costlier, and less efficient—and that’s the point.

addApple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseellipseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squarefolderGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintremoveRSSRSSSaveSavesaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube