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.
Ash Wednesday: A countercultural expression of our faith
We work so hard to rid our homes and places we frequent of any dust we can find. But here in a countercultural moment of clarity, the Church seeks to remind us that we are the thing we wish to remove from our lives. We are made of dust.
Ramadan: A month of peace, tranquility, and spiritual rejuvenation
Across Abrahamic faiths, fasting serves as a bridge — uniting believers in their pursuit of self-discipline, gratitude, and devotion. It is a shared human experience that transcends religious boundaries, emphasizing our collective yearning for spiritual growth and inner peace.
Weekly religion news roundup (February 21-27, 2025)
Each Friday in The Christian Citizen, we publish a Religion News Roundup with summaries of religion news stories and links for those who want to read more.
Spiritual formation that disturbs you
“May the Spirit of God disturb you” sounds like a bit of ire at first. Perhaps it is the word of blessing we need most.
Harvard adopting the IHRA definition of antisemitism is a harbinger of what’s to come
We should see this move for what it really is: a nakedly opportunistic attempt to advance an authoritarian agenda and restrict our First Amendment rights.
Learning to risk in ‘Paddington in Peru’
In these times, churches have to be like Mr. Brown – they have to embrace risk for the sake of something greater. We know that success is not guaranteed, and we cannot know what repercussions might manifest from opposing naked cruelty.
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.
Separation of church and state does not mean the church is politically innocent
We must disabuse ourselves of the false notion that the church is apolitical. We must overcome the concept, so commonly taught among us, that we might somehow, in separating church from an influence over the state or the state having influence to keep us from being church in certain ways, arrive at some spiritual state of political innocence in which spirituality or religious life is not political.
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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We feature thought-provoking articles and action-inspiring essays that intersect faith, politics, discipleship