Christianity Today

December, 2017

Volume 61, Number 10

Jan_Feb_2018 January/February, 2018
November, 2017

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.

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Cover Story

Cover Story

Secrets of Effective Giving

Bruce Wydick

Here’s when and how you can best help the poor.

Cover Story

Blessed Are the Handouts

Bruce Wydick

Why some Christian poverty experts believe we should give cash to the poor, no strings attached.

Features

The Holy Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and Future

John D. Witvliet

Our Christmas stories may be missing their most important character.

The Reformation, Viewed from the East

Bradley Nassif

An Eastern Orthodox theologian assesses Luther’s famous doctrine of ‘sola fide.’

The Clergy Behind Science as We Know It

Jennifer Powell McNutt

Enlightenment-era pastors didn’t oppose modern science. They helped advance it.

Matt Chandler Never Wanted a Big Church. How He Ended Up With Six.

Over the next five years, each Dallas-area location gets a Village of its own.

More from this Issue

Our December Issue: Being Shrewd Samaritans

Andy Olsen

We’re learning more than ever about good giving.

Reply All

Responses to our October issue.

Testimony

A Drug Dealer Led Me to Faith

Mark Clark

After a childhood marred by substance abuse and a deadbeat dad, I made a friend who would change my life.

News

News

Should Pastors Address Current Events in Their Sermons?

Pastors across the U.S. weigh in.

News

Gleanings: December 2017

CT Staff

Important developments in the church and the world (as they appeared in our December issue).

News

The Great Call of China: Churches Poised to Become Major Exporters

Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra

Hundreds pledge lives to missions at ‘Chinese Urbana’ as red tape rises.

News

Calvin of Arabia: Protestant Theology Translated into Arabic

Griffin Paul Jackson

Labor of love brings the Reformation’s seminal work into the Middle East.

Reviews

5 Books That Reveal the Bible’s Influence in American History

Paul Gutjahr

Selected by Paul Gutjahr, Ruth Halls Professor of English at Indiana University and editor of ‘The Oxford Handbook of the Bible in America.’

Buildings That Bear Witness to God

Interview by W. David O. Taylor

How theology sheds new light on the purposes of architecture.

Review

Handel’s Messiah: A Brilliant Blend of Transcendence and Transgression

Terry Glaspey

How the composer (and his lesser-known collaborator) wedded Scripture and music in daring new ways.

Review

The Christian Leader’s Guide to Economics

Jeff Haanen

The so-called “dismal science” is a powerful tool for wealth creation, but also for healing broken communities.

New & Noteworthy Books

Matt Reynolds

Compiled by Matt Reynolds.

Views

The Loving Father Who Judges?

Peter sees no conflict with God’s compassion and his justice.

What Student Ministry Really Needs? Homework.

Teens should take Bible study as seriously as school and sports practice.

Editorial

In Defense of Pro-Life ‘Hypocrisy’

Matt Reynolds

Analogies between abortion and other “life issues” are shakier than we sometimes suppose.

Additional Articles

All Archives

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