February (Web-only) 2016
![The Christians, the Soviets, and the Bible The Christians, the Soviets, and the Bible](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67365.jpg?h=123&w=220)
The Christians, the Soviets, and the Bible
‘The Americans’ has handled Christianity in a way unlike almost any other show. What’s going on?
![Q+A with Oscar Nominee: What’s So Funny About the West Bank? Q+A with Oscar Nominee: What’s So Funny About the West Bank?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/68006.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Q+A with Oscar Nominee: What’s So Funny About the West Bank?
Basil Khalil’s irreverent and insightful ‘Ave Maria’ sheds light on Arab Christians.
![Did Will Smith Deserve an Oscar Nomination? Did Will Smith Deserve an Oscar Nomination?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67991.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Did Will Smith Deserve an Oscar Nomination?
How do we judge good acting? And why does it matter?
![Why Max Lucado Broke His Political Silence for Trump Why Max Lucado Broke His Political Silence for Trump](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67988.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Why Max Lucado Broke His Political Silence for Trump
In the face of a candidate’s antics, ‘America’s Pastor’ speaks out.
![Contact With Mystery Contact With Mystery](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67966.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Contact With Mystery
On Cormac McCarthy, Flannery O’Connor, and what 'The Revenant' misses on purpose.
![Our Histories Are Not Created Equal Our Histories Are Not Created Equal](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67951.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Our Histories Are Not Created Equal
Why Americans should be upfront with our kids—and ourselves—about how power and privilege shaped our backgrounds.
![How Trump Tempts Us How Trump Tempts Us](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67943.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
How Trump Tempts Us
Politics is not about one thing, but many things held in tension.
![Mavis Staples: Voice of Joy and Justice Mavis Staples: Voice of Joy and Justice](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67377.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Mavis Staples: Voice of Joy and Justice
The new HBO documentary “Mavis!” takes a look at the woman who has lent her distinct voice to the cause of love for more than six decades.
![Kanye West’s Work-in-Progress Kanye West’s Work-in-Progress](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67922.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Kanye West’s Work-in-Progress
Why the rapper’s new ‘gospel’ album, ‘The Life of Pablo,’ has Christians curious.
![What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Christian Masturbation? What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Christian Masturbation?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67921.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
What Could Possibly Be Wrong with Christian Masturbation?
In both marriage and singleness, our bodies are not just for ourselves.
![Puppets and Predestination Puppets and Predestination](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67898.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Puppets and Predestination
Charlie Kaufman's stories are curiously devoid of religion but loaded with religious concerns.
![On Dying and Reckoning with the Prosperity Gospel On Dying and Reckoning with the Prosperity Gospel](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67863.jpg?h=123&w=220)
On Dying and Reckoning with the Prosperity Gospel
How church historian Kate Bowler's cancer diagnosis brought her face-to-face with the beauty and terror of the popular movement.
![Race, Religion, and the Republican Dilemma Race, Religion, and the Republican Dilemma](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67903.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Race, Religion, and the Republican Dilemma
The church has an opportunity to encourage human flourishing even more.
![The Pro-Life Case for Paid Maternity Leave The Pro-Life Case for Paid Maternity Leave](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67881.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
The Pro-Life Case for Paid Maternity Leave
Where are the conservative Christians rallying for working moms?
![10 Obscure Gospel Moments Most Jesus Films Miss 10 Obscure Gospel Moments Most Jesus Films Miss](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67878.jpg?h=123&w=220)
10 Obscure Gospel Moments Most Jesus Films Miss
A look at commonly neglected gospel stories and films that depict them.
![I Love My Kids—That's Why I Tell Them 'No' I Love My Kids—That's Why I Tell Them 'No'](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67845.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
I Love My Kids—That's Why I Tell Them 'No'
The blogger behind 'We Are THAT Family' shares her advice on combating entitlement.
![The Humble Coach Behind Celebrity Christianity The Humble Coach Behind Celebrity Christianity](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67858.jpg?h=123&w=220)
The Humble Coach Behind Celebrity Christianity
Remembering the tenacity and ironies of Fellowship of Christian Athletes founder Don McClanen.
![Status Update: Still Struggling Status Update: Still Struggling](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67821.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Status Update: Still Struggling
Adoption is a good thing, kids are cute, but let’s be real: This mess is hard.
![Searching for the Exit in ‘The Twilight Zone’ Searching for the Exit in ‘The Twilight Zone’](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67811.png?h=123&w=220)
Searching for the Exit in ‘The Twilight Zone’
Not only is the classic sci-fi show entertaining—it has a fascinating take on the afterlife.
![When Sex Leaves You Wanting More When Sex Leaves You Wanting More](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67418.jpg?h=123&w=220)
When Sex Leaves You Wanting More
Reflecting on female libido and Christian marriage.
![Dispatch from Berlinale—‘Zero Days’ Dispatch from Berlinale—‘Zero Days’](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67780.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Dispatch from Berlinale—‘Zero Days’
A compelling and essential documentary about worms, terrorism, cyber warfare, and Stuxnet.
![Dispatch from Berlinale—'The Son of Joseph' Dispatch from Berlinale—'The Son of Joseph'](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67777.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Dispatch from Berlinale—'The Son of Joseph'
Biblical allusions abound in a farcical, good-hearted French tale.
![Antonin Scalia: Devout Christian, Worldly Judge Antonin Scalia: Devout Christian, Worldly Judge](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67774.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Antonin Scalia: Devout Christian, Worldly Judge
A faithful man lives out his faith on the bench with restraint.
![Can We Survive the Visual Tsunami? Can We Survive the Visual Tsunami?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67776.jpg?h=124&w=220)
Can We Survive the Visual Tsunami?
Could there be a deeper rationale for the first commandment?
![Dear Everyone: Stop Writing Open Letters Dear Everyone: Stop Writing Open Letters](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67425.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Dear Everyone: Stop Writing Open Letters
Open letters have changed history, but our petty online rants are getting old.
![Closing Windows Closing Windows](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/68135.png?h=123&w=220)
Closing Windows
Searching for truth in the information age? Try Google.
![Dispatch from Berlinale—‘The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble’ Dispatch from Berlinale—‘The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble’](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67681.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Dispatch from Berlinale—‘The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble’
This joy-filled music documentary also makes a case for friendship across traditions and borders.
![Lauren Chandler: How God Wrings Out Praise During Tough Times Lauren Chandler: How God Wrings Out Praise During Tough Times](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67628.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Lauren Chandler: How God Wrings Out Praise During Tough Times
The singer, pastor’s wife, and author opens up about God’s ‘Steadfast Love.’
![Joseph Fiennes Talks About Playing a Skeptic in ‘Risen’ Joseph Fiennes Talks About Playing a Skeptic in ‘Risen’](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67668.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Joseph Fiennes Talks About Playing a Skeptic in ‘Risen’
The star of the upcoming Bible film talks about his new film, the nature of belief, gladiator school, and Eric Liddell.
![Dispatch from Berlinale–'A Quiet Passion' Dispatch from Berlinale–'A Quiet Passion'](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67673.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Dispatch from Berlinale–'A Quiet Passion'
A film about the life of Emily Dickinson evokes what it meant to see life through the poet's twin obsessions with mortality and eternity.
![Dispatch from Berlinale–'Midnight Special' Dispatch from Berlinale–'Midnight Special'](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67669.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Dispatch from Berlinale–'Midnight Special'
The latest from Jeff Nichols that is something quite different beneath the scifi surface.
![First Love, Last Love: Courtship Culture and the Teen Cancer Romance First Love, Last Love: Courtship Culture and the Teen Cancer Romance](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67576.jpg?h=123&w=220)
First Love, Last Love: Courtship Culture and the Teen Cancer Romance
Movies like 'A Walk to Remember,' 'Twilight,' and 'The Fault in Our Stars' have picked up on a key facet of the way we talk about teen romance.
![God's Place in Black History God's Place in Black History](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67631.jpg?h=123&w=220)
God's Place in Black History
Looking to the past provides direction for the current fight for justice.
![The Best Books to Read for Lent (That You Won't Find in a Christian Bookstore) The Best Books to Read for Lent (That You Won't Find in a Christian Bookstore)](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67632.jpg?h=123&w=220)
The Best Books to Read for Lent (That You Won't Find in a Christian Bookstore)
Ten examples of literature and poetry that nurture and confront the soul.
![Thousands of Jen Hatmaker Fans Bought Her Book for Strangers Thousands of Jen Hatmaker Fans Bought Her Book for Strangers](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67617.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Thousands of Jen Hatmaker Fans Bought Her Book for Strangers
For the Love, indeed.
![Finding Healing in Front of the Camera Finding Healing in Front of the Camera](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67260.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Finding Healing in Front of the Camera
A Christian considers the benefits of boudoir photography.
![What Wheaton, Hawkins, and Others Said at Public Reconciliation Attempt What Wheaton, Hawkins, and Others Said at Public Reconciliation Attempt](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67556.jpg?h=123&w=220)
What Wheaton, Hawkins, and Others Said at Public Reconciliation Attempt
(UPDATED) Ryken: We are 'trusting as a campus for God to restore what's been lost.' Hawkins: 'Embodied solidarity continues its journey.'
![Why a Post-Christian Nation Needs a President of Faith Why a Post-Christian Nation Needs a President of Faith](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67566.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Why a Post-Christian Nation Needs a President of Faith
Religion gives candidates an advantage in advocating for all.
![Why Lent Is Good for Bad Christians Why Lent Is Good for Bad Christians](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67553.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Why Lent Is Good for Bad Christians
The somber season leading up to Easter might feel like punishment. In fact, for people like me, it's sheer grace.
![We Are Followers of a Middle Eastern Refugee We Are Followers of a Middle Eastern Refugee](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67388.jpg?h=123&w=220)
We Are Followers of a Middle Eastern Refugee
Security doesn’t have to come at the expense of compassion.
![Lent in the Shadow of Cancer Lent in the Shadow of Cancer](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67507.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Lent in the Shadow of Cancer
Three writers reflect on breast cancer, bodies, and resurrection hope.
![The Year in Liturgical Cinema: Ash Wednesday and Lent The Year in Liturgical Cinema: Ash Wednesday and Lent](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67371.jpg?h=123&w=220)
The Year in Liturgical Cinema: Ash Wednesday and Lent
In "The Revenant," "The Grey," and "Ikiru," we reflect on mortality and repentance.
![3 Reasons Election Season Is Good For You 3 Reasons Election Season Is Good For You](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67134.jpg?h=123&w=220)
3 Reasons Election Season Is Good For You
It’s easy to despair over candidates, but we have good reason to celebrate this time in our country’s life.
![The Wheaton Controversy Ends, but I’m Still Torn The Wheaton Controversy Ends, but I’m Still Torn](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67411.jpg?h=123&w=220)
The Wheaton Controversy Ends, but I’m Still Torn
My struggle to understand the complicated relationship between trust, truth, and transparency.
![When Art Doesn't Make Us Better People When Art Doesn't Make Us Better People](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67408.jpg?h=123&w=220)
When Art Doesn't Make Us Better People
"The Club," a disturbing film about guilt and damnation, raises questions about art that resists creating empathy.
![An Ambassador to the ‘Spiritual but Not Religious’ An Ambassador to the ‘Spiritual but Not Religious’](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67391.jpg?h=123&w=220)
An Ambassador to the ‘Spiritual but Not Religious’
Why David Dark thinks it’s a mistake to reject the R-word.
![Bring Back Blind Dating Bring Back Blind Dating](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67023.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Bring Back Blind Dating
Online matches put the pressure on us, while setups offer a sense of community support.
![Pride, Prejudice, Zombies, and Straw Men Pride, Prejudice, Zombies, and Straw Men](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67361.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Pride, Prejudice, Zombies, and Straw Men
It's not a satire. It's not a comedy. It's not anything, really.
![7 New Theology Books You Should Read This Year 7 New Theology Books You Should Read This Year](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67342.jpg?h=123&w=220)
7 New Theology Books You Should Read This Year
A list to help you grow intellectually and spiritually.
![The Story Behind the Jesus Storybook Bible The Story Behind the Jesus Storybook Bible](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67263.png?h=123&w=220)
Q+A: The Story Behind the Jesus Storybook Bible
Sally Lloyd-Jones wrote a kids Bible so popular that they’re releasing an adult version.
![To Hope All Things About the American Voter To Hope All Things About the American Voter](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67315.jpg?h=123&w=220)
To Hope All Things About the American Voter
Can Christians transcend the nihilism of our politics?
![A Better Way to Be Evangelical A Better Way to Be Evangelical](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67193.jpg?h=123&w=220)
A Better Way to Be Evangelical
"You keep using that word. I don't think it means what you think it means."
español![We Don’t Age Out of Our Sexuality We Don’t Age Out of Our Sexuality](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67276.jpg?h=123&w=220)
!['Hail, Caesar!' — A Tale of the Christ? 'Hail, Caesar!' — A Tale of the Christ?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67171.jpg?h=123&w=220)
'Hail, Caesar!' — A Tale of the Christ?
"Hail, Caesar!" is both a romp through Hollywood's Golden Age and an unlikely Passion Play.
![I Know Why the Government Went After Pro-Life Journalists I Know Why the Government Went After Pro-Life Journalists](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67141.png?h=123&w=220)
I Know Why the Government Went after Pro-Life Investigative Journalists
For those determined to speak out according to our deeply held beliefs, the price tag is becoming increasingly steep.
![Are Pro-Lifers Borrowing Pro-Choice Philosophy? Are Pro-Lifers Borrowing Pro-Choice Philosophy?](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67142.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Why Are Pro-Lifers Borrowing Pro-Choice Philosophy?
Pre-Roe v. Wade, the pro-life movement vehemently denounced the idea that the end justifies the means.
![Why I Gave in to Barbie, Even Before Her Size Change Why I Gave in to Barbie, Even Before Her Size Change](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67150.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Why I Gave in to Barbie, Even Before Her Size Change
Barbie teaches my girls to play. I’ll let other examples teach them about being a woman.
![Confessions of a Controlling Wife Confessions of a Controlling Wife](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/66733.jpg?h=123&w=220)
Confessions of a Controlling Wife
My journey from cheerleader to critic and back again
![When Your Child Is a Prodigal When Your Child Is a Prodigal](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/66728.jpg?h=123&w=220)
When Your Child Is a Prodigal
We’ve been waiting 15 years, and there’s no “happy ending” in sight.
![Give Us a King!: Leadership Theory for Election Season Give Us a King!: Leadership Theory for Election Season](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67125.png?h=123&w=220)
Give Us a King!: Leadership Theory for Election Season
Historic trends bring context to Trump’s confounding popularity.
![Confessions of a (Sinful) Overachiever Confessions of a (Sinful) Overachiever](https://www-images.christianitytoday.com/images/67100.jpeg?h=123&w=220)
Confessions of a (Sinful) Overachiever
Praise or mockery: The problem with our reactions to “super-moms.”