March 13, 2025

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weekend reads

“Avoid men who are sexually aggressive. Don’t get drunk in public. Listen to your moral instincts. Assess whether a man would make a good father before sleeping with him. Consider the stability of monogamous marriage.” The kind of advice that concludes Louise Perry’s A New Guide to Sex in the 21st Century is a “diluted version of traditionally Christian guidance,” writes our reviewer Kara Bettis Carvalho.

More radical for Perry’s Gen Z readers will be the writer’s call to “recognize the differing interests between men and women and especially the vulnerability of women,” our reviewer continues. “In his wisdom, God created male and female, both reflecting God’s image in the bodies we inhabit. In a world that wants to erase this difference, the church must better understand and confidently articulate the beauty of God’s created order, male and female alike. It is perhaps the most valuable gift we can offer the next generation.”

This week, we also published the story of a man in Detroit who’s trying to offer that gift to young boys. His approach: emotional training and martial arts. “I saw what the hypermasculine or monofaceted manhood looks like,” Jason Wilson told CT. “And no one was at peace. No one was happy.”

Plus, one more piece related to gendered expectations: a satirical take on the particular burdens carried by pastors’ wives.

P.S. Now through March 17, join CT and save $20 on your first year. Gain unlimited access to insightful journalism, biblical perspectives, and rich theological insights that offer hope and direction in complex times. In a world of misinformation and conflicting views, find truth and hope in a community striving to follow Jesus faithfully. Join now.

A New Guide to What the Church Has Always Said About Sex

The Man Tackling the Masculinity Crisis

Why I Want a Pastor’s Wife

weekend listen

This week, CT interviews acclaimed travel writer Rick Steves about how faith informs his travels and how a posture of pilgrimage forms better global citizens.

“If you see this world as ‘We’re all brothers and sisters,’ ‘love thy neighbor’ has nothing to do with proximity.” | Listen here.

Faith and Pilgrimage with Rick Steves

paid content

How’s your insurance looking? U.S. consumers are set to face record-high auto insurance costs in 2025, according to a recent report. The average annual premium for full coverage is expected to hit $2,101, approximately $175 per month, marking the seventh consecutive year of rate increases. To mitigate costs, drivers are encouraged to regularly shop for insurance and explore discounts.

View Money’s Best Car Insurance list to shop around and see if you can save.

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editors’ picks

Ashley Hales, editorial director, print: I have a cowritten Bible study (with my husband, Bryce) out April 8. It’s an eight-week study with video content on the Sermon on the Mount.

Kate Shellnutt, editorial director, news: Full Swing is a fun little Netflix docuseries following golfers through the tournament season. I first tuned in just to see my hometown of Augusta, Georgia, during Masters Week. I ended up delighted at how the show explored the motivations of the players—including champion Scottie Scheffler, who discusses his Christian faith—and the ethics of pro sports with the emergence of the Saudi-owned LIV Golf league. The third season is out now.

Caroline Fea, associate engagement editor: I made this two-ingredient pizza dough with friends a few weeks ago. We added garlic powder and Italian seasoning to the dough for more flavor; I recommend baking it until golden before adding toppings for a less floppy crust. As a bonus, if you’re into it, the dough is pretty high in protein! (Senior copy editor Alex Mellen says, “Can confirm. I make all kinds of bread with it! Breadsticks, bagels, calzones.”)

2025 Holiday Gift Guide for Book Lovers

This holiday season, we invite you to share comfort, quiet, or excitement with each person on your gift list. From beautifully illustrated Bibles and devotionals to novels and picture books,…

prayers of the people

From the CEO of OpenDoors US: “In my role … I always hear a common refrain from our persecuted brothers and sisters: ‘Pray with us.’ Prayer can bring us into solidarity with persecuted Christians, can provide comfort and hope, and, as Scripture shows us, can even change the hearts of those who lead governments like Iran’s that threaten the well-being of God’s followers.”

For Christians in India facing increased persecution, from physical attacks and arrests to vandalized churches and denied burial rights.
For the lawyers, churches, and immigrant ministries helping asylum seekers navigate the US system.

‘Come as You Are’ Is Not a Slogan for the Church

Stanley Hauerwas meditates on the necessity of the gospel, the politics of the kingdom, and the high demands of sanctification.

The Korean Evangelicals Who Want Their President Back in Power

At a recent rally, pro-Yoon Christians decried Communist infiltration and adopted MAGA rhetoric.

‘Mickey 17’ Laughs at Hope

The new film from Bong Joon-ho smirks at scientific hubris, political corruption, and any attempt to make things better.

Gateway Church Founder Robert Morris Indicted on Child Sex Abuse Charges

Less than a year after resigning over allegations dating back to the 1980s, the former megachurch pastor faces a criminal case in Oklahoma.

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IN THE MAGAZINE

Even amid scandals, cultural shifts, and declining institutional trust, we at Christianity Today recognize the beauty of Christ’s church. In this issue, you’ll read of the various biblical metaphors for the church, and of the faithfulness of Japanese pastors. You’ll hear how one British podcaster is rethinking apologetics, and Collin Hansen’s hope for evangelical institutions two years after Tim Keller’s death. You’ll be reminded of the power of the Resurrection, and how the church is both more fragile and much stronger than we think from editor in chief Russell Moore. This Lent and Easter season, may you take great courage in Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:18—“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.”

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