Justice. Mercy. Faith.
Through The Christian Citizen, we seek to shape a mind among American Baptists and others on matters of public concern by providing a forum for diverse voices living and working at the intersection of faith and politics, discipleship and citizenship.
What day is it?
As we start 2025, I invite all of us to go back in history, to go to our roots, go to what anchors us, go and rediscover what our hearts hold, so that we can grasp it again and let it inform our future steps.
Jimmy Carter was there when my congregation needed him: Remembering a president
President Carter knew that those who lack housing or food are not merely political pawns, but the real presence of God in our midst. What we do, or don’t do, to serve them reveals everything about what we value in our world and in our congregations.
Peace in Israel/Palestine: a “naive” solution
A lifetime of trying to think “rationally” has me conditioned to see mutual empathy as heartwarming but naive. I am ready now to say, however, that it offers the only hope for stable peace in the Middle East (or anywhere).
In ‘Gladiator II,’ the gods are a joke, but belief isn’t
As the Colosseum was a monument to ancient Roman power, shopping malls, political rallies, and sporting events are monuments to America’s present moment. All are important, even replacing religion in many instances, because they are the embodiment of victory, something that Americans are willing to pursue to dangerous ends, even if it threatens our country’s continued viability.
Letter from the editor
Thank you for your role in this ongoing work. Whether through reading, sharing, or providing feedback, your support sustains us. You remind us that we are not alone in our efforts to be a voice for justice and peace. Your participation helps build bridges where there are divides and fosters a spirit of unity in times when the world sorely needs it.
Isa means Jesus in Arabic: Exploring the story of Jesus in Islam
It is important as humans to concentrate on what unites us in our striving for peace, kindness and justice: all qualities that Isa or Jesus embodied.
Featured Series
Faith and Politics
Jimmy Carter was there when my congregation needed him: Remembering a president
President Carter knew that those who lack housing or food are not merely political pawns, but the real presence of God in our midst. What we do, or don’t do, to serve them reveals everything about what we value in our world and in our congregations.
Today I ask you to choose faith
What we really need is faith. Faith in that arc and its bending, faith that what we do counts for something, faith that we can be the friends that God needs now.
Our church signs need work
Planet Fitness, the real-life Average Joe’s, come-as-you-are establishment, beat every church sign I knew with its slogan, The World Judges, We Don’t.
Living and listening amid a spiritual crisis
You and I are survivor trees, too. To whom are we giving shade and rest? Where are we planting our roots? To what stars are we stretching out our branches?
Harris’ faith is a game-changer for abortion rights
Harris meets the conversation around abortion where it is most fertile — at the intersection of differing religious communities. It is only through interfaith dialogues that the limiting binary thinking around abortion and faith is interrogated.
“Freedom is a Mighty Fine Thing”
As we enjoy July 4, 2024, it should be noted that there are a great many freedoms that most Americans, Black, white, male, and female want that are being denied or withheld.
Frederick Douglass’ 1852 Independence Day speech is still relevant for America today
Douglass’s speech was prophetic. In 2024, as millions in the United States prepare to celebrate Independence Day, Black Americans, Native Americans, religious minorities, immigrants and LGBTQ+ folks are still surviving an unequal, exploitative legal, social and economic system.
Three ways to make your words change the world
The tenor of our conflict in the public sphere needs to improve dramatically. If we find ourselves in disagreement, conflict, or challenge, here are three things we can learn from how Jesus approaches conflict.
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ROOTED IN HEAVEN - GROUNDED IN LOVE
Christian Citizen AmbassadorsAt The Christian Citizen, we’re passionate about justice, mercy, and faith. We produce award-winning content that is provocative, timely, and relevant. What started more than 25 years ago as a print publication is now a digital-first publication that maintains a commitment to print. More recently, we’ve added a weekly e-newsletter, podcast, and a growing presence on social media. Now, for the first time, we’re adding a member support program—Christian Citizen Ambassadors!
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