In the world birthed in that stable so long ago, the kings joyfully leave their gifts with the poor and go away empty-handed. No strings attached. No more quid pro quo. No more debts of gratitude, only gifts freely given and shared.

It’s notable that when St. Thomas makes his request to Jesus, he’s not condemned. Rather, Jesus gives Thomas what he needed — in his case, proof — and in doing so makes it clear that Jesus is willing to meet us where we are. Some need proof, at least as a start; for others, faith alone is enough.

Many factors have shaped white American Christianity into what it is today. But keeps us away from the core truths of our faith, I suspect, is this: Christians today seem governed by fear.

Leather-jacketed motorcycle riders revved their bikes in their own tribute as they joined a large throng of family and friends who remembered a Kentucky lawmaker who killed himself a day after vehemently denying accusations of sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

It’s surprising the housing allowance rule has lasted as long as it has. The significant benefit applies to clergy and no one else — to the tune of some $700 to $800 million in lost tax revenue annually.

Overtures by U.S. evangelicals to Arab churches are being tested by Trump’s Jerusalem decision.

What do our baptismal vows have to do with safety?

A well-worn joke circulated among religion writers for at least a decade: every year, someone publishes a piece prophesying the “rise” of the Religious Left. And every year, the prediction turns out to be laughably overblown. And then 2017 happened.