Christians have long used the Book of Revelation to decode modern politics—except, curiously, when it becomes uncomfortably close to home. By setting aside conspiracy theories and reading Revelation as a prophetic critique of empire, we discover a repeating cycle of Babylon, beasts, and compromised faith. John’s ancient vision still speaks with unsettling clarity to America,…
Aslan isn’t safe, and neither is this idea: What if God showed up in Narnia as a lioness? With rumors of Greta Gerwig casting Meryl Streep as Aslan, a Lewis-devoted theologian and Narnia lifer explores whether the deep allegory and cosmology of Lewis’ universe actually leave room for a female Christ figure—and why that might…
Both an angel and the Holy Spirit sent Philip to evangelize a eunuch—the kind of person who had the “potential to destabilize ancient discourses of gender, sexuality, class, and race, and thereby to denaturalize the constructions of masculinity they produced” (Sean D. Burke, Queering the Ethiopian Eunuch, 150). Today is Transgender Day of Visibility. For…
In Matthew 6, Jesus warns against being a hypocrite—a word that originally meant a “play-actor.” Too often, our spiritual lives can become performances, shaped by the approval of others rather than a genuine relationship with God. Whether in prayer, giving, or fasting, Jesus calls us to pursue a faith that is real, not rehearsed. In…
Hagar was an Egyptian slave that two Hebrews named Abraham and Sarah had acquired through a deceitful interaction with the Pharaoh of Egypt. Since the two were infertile, Sarah asked Abraham to impregnate Hagar in an attempt to create an heir through an ancient custom, effectively turning her into a sex slave. After she had…
Christians have a strange interest in celebrities who are Christians. We love to point them out to the people around us as though we’ve struck a home run for Jesus: “Bet you didn’t know that actor is a Christian. See? We can be cool and relevant.” Indeed, Relevant is the name of an entire Christian…
It rained again this weekUp, down and sideways it cameMaking sure to soakEvery conceivable part of the ground The yellow grass leftover fromFrom winter’s frigid graspClears its dry and cracking throat To drink it in with one generous sip It will see life againFor God has smiled on it with favorAs color begins to returnTo its…
Oh Rome, oh RomeThe country I call homeThe greatest realm of HeavenAnyone has ever known Make love, make peaceBy the blood of our enemiesDemonizing all the voices That take the side of empathy And shun the onesWho refuse to change the SonTo the image of the emperorWho claims to follow God See the pride and hateOf…
Jamin Bradley 