Scripture — Articles — Jonathan Merritt

Sex outside of marriage can be holy, says Christian minister.

I suspect that McCleneghan’s book on sex that seeks to free Christians from shame will be persuasive to many believers who feel some cognitive dissonance when it comes to sex.

Culture, Theology, TrendsJonathanJuly 31, 2016Bible, books, chastity, Christian, Christianity, Controversy, Love, Marriage, Scripture, Sex, Sexuality

5 surprising encounters Jesus had with women

"Jesus reserved some amazing Scriptural truth exclusively for women," says Mary Demuth.

CultureJonathanMarch 24, 2015adultery, Bible, complementarian, egalitarian, Frank Viola, Gender, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, Mary Demuth, men, Scripture, Sex, The Day I Met Jesus, Women

Have Christians overlooked Jesus’ Jewishness?

They have. And here's why it matters.

CultureJonathanDecember 30, 2014Adolph Hitler, anti-semitism, Bible, church, Germany, History, Hitler, James Carroll, Jewish, Jonathan Merritt, Judaism, New Testament, Scripture, War, World War II

5 myths of ‘Biblical spanking'

Taking the text literally on corporal punishment would land you in jail.

CultureJonathanOctober 2, 2014Bible, corporal punishment, evangelicalism, hermeneutics, Jonathan Merritt, Old Testament, Scripture, spanking, William Webb

Should Christians stop defending the Bible?

One scholar has a new message: stop trying to defend the Bible!

CultureJonathanSeptember 29, 2014Bible, Culture, evangelicalism, HarperOne, Jonathan Merritt, Kevin DeYoung, Peter Enns, Scripture, theology

Why James Martin’s Middle East Pilgrimage Matters

"America" magazine editor says he discovered surprising new truths about Jesus.

CultureJonathanAugust 19, 2014Bible, Catholicism, Catholics, Gospels, HarperOne, Israel, James Martin, Jesus, Middle East, Palestine, Scripture, theology

Rowan Williams’ Four Essentials for Being ‘Christian’

Former Anglican Archbishop shares what he believes are the four essentials for being a Christian.

Walter Brueggemann on How to Speak Truth to Power

The famed Bible scholar accepts a rare interview with Jonathan to discuss power.

CultureJonathanJune 26, 2014Bible, empire, Exodus, Gospels, History, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, power, Roman, Scripture, theology, truth, Walter Brueggemann

NT Wright on Homosexuality, Science, Gender

The scholar weighs in on the hottest theological issues of the day.

CultureJonathanJune 4, 2014Adam and Eve, Anglicanism, Bible, Christianity, church, Controversy, Galatians, Gender, Genesis, HarperOne, Homosexuality, inerrancy, Jonathan Merritt, LGBT, Ministry, Paul, Psalms, Science, Scripture, Surprised by Scripture, theology, Time Magazine, UK, Women

Why N.T. Wright Won’t Call Himself an Inerrantist

The world's leading New Testament scholar's controversial new book on the Bible.

CultureJonathanJune 4, 2014Adam and Eve, Anglicanism, Bible, Christianity, church, Controversy, Genesis, HarperOne, inerrancy, Jonathan Merritt, Psalms, Scripture, Surprised by Scripture, theology, Time Magazine, UK

Mega-church Pastor's Scandalous Take on Scripture

Adam Hamilton is sparking intense debate with his provocative new take on the Bible.

Barbara Brown Taylor on The Devil and Death

The "New York Times" bestselling author talks openly about personal topics.

Barbara Brown Taylor Tells Christians to Embrace Darkness

One of the 12 most effective preachers in the English-speaking world wants to redeem darkness.

Will Evangelicals Miss the Boat on Paramount’s ‘Noah?’

Noah's critics have supported other imperfect productions and misunderstand how art functions.

CultureJonathanMarch 23, 2014Art, Bible, cinema, Controversy, Darren Aronofsky, entertainment, Film, Hollywood, Jonathan Merritt, Mel Gibson, Noah, Paramount Pictures, Passion of the Christ, Scandal, Scripture, theater

5 C.S. Lewis Quotes That May Shock You

Lewis' comments on topics such as hell and sexual chastity may surprise his modern fans.

CultureJonathanMarch 14, 2014atonement, Bible, C-S- Lewis, chastity, CNN, evangelicalism, evolution, fornication, Genesis, hell, History, John Blake, Jonathan Merritt, Mere Christianity, piety, quotes, Scripture, Sex, sexaulity, theology

How Christians Misuse Philippians 4:13

Jonathan says this iconic verse is largely misunderstood.

CultureJonathanJanuary 25, 2014Apostle Paul, Bible, Christianity, Jonathan Merritt, myths, Philippians, Philippians 4:13, Scripture, sports, Sports Illustrated, theology, Tim Tebow

King David Misunderstood Says Yale Scholar

Politician, psalmist, adulterer and more.

CultureJonathanNovember 8, 2013Bible, Christianity, Controversy, faith, George Washington, HarperOne, hermeneutics, heroes, History, Jewish, Jews, Joel Baden, Jonathan Merritt, Judaism, King David, Old Testament, power, Psalms, Scripture, Yale, Yale University

Faithful to The End: An Interview with Eugene Peterson

One of America's best known theologians reflects on 81 years of life and ministry.

CultureJonathanOctober 2, 2013age, Aging, Bible, bible translation, books, Christianity, church, Church membership, Death, Eugene Peterson, faithfulness, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, life, Ministry, Nietzche, obedience, old age, Pastor, pastoring, Scripture, seminary, Spirituality, The Message, theology, Writing

Jeremiah 29:11 is Not About You

The famous verse is one of the most misunderstood.

CultureJonathanOctober 2, 2013Bible, Bride of Christ, Christian, church, churches, Devotional, God’s will, gospel, hermeneutics, interpretation, Israel, Jeremiah, Jesus, Jonathan Merritt, Old Testament, prophecy, prophets, prosperity, Scripture, sermon, theology

The Audacity to Question God: An Interview with Greg Boyd

Bestselling author rejects the idea that faith is rooted in certainty.

CultureJonathanSeptember 23, 2013Baker Books, Bethel University, Bible, certainty, Christianity, doubt, evangelicalism, faith, God, Greg Boyd, honesty, idolatry, idols, Jesus, Jesus Christ, Jonathan Merritt, questions, ReKnew, Scripture, theology, truth, Woodland Hills Church