About Mere Orthodoxy

Mere Orthodoxy exists to be an outpost of sanity amidst the noise and tumult of our moment.

In the past 25 years, 40 million Americans have left the church. Questions about sex and gender, race, and the formative impact of technology have all divided and broken our communities. And within 15 years virtually all of the baby boomers will have retired, leaving the church with far fewer financial and volunteer resources. Given all these challenges, it is no surprise that many Christians feel anxious as they consider a future with a smaller, poorer, more embattled church living in a louder, more violent nation.

What Guides Us

Mere Orthodoxy exists to be an outpost of sanity amidst the noise and tumult of our moment. Three things guide us in our work:

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We are committed to Nicean orthodoxy as well as the orthodox teachings of Scripture and the church concerning sex and gender.

We adopt postures that equip us to defend Christian orthodoxy in Christian ways. We are not aggressive or apologetic, but candid. We are not anxious and fearful, but hopeful and confident in the providence of God. We are not tribal or partisan, but instead dedicated to the pursuit of truth before all else.

Third, we write, speak, think, read, and reflect on the things of God publicly and privately across a print magazine, website, multiple podcasts, and video. In a digital world, online content is one of the primary ways that people’s moral and intellectual beliefs are formed. We produce media that is orthodox and resistant to radicalization and extremism. We call our audience to reflection, patience, and simple faithfulness, not rage, recklessness, and compromise.

What others are saying

"Mere Orthodoxy is unique in the world of journals and journalism. First, it is committed to historic Protestant orthodoxy. Indeed it sees, rightly, far more resources in the work of early Protestant thinkers than modern evangelicalism does. Yet, secondly, it uses that orthodoxy to reflect on, critique, and engage with the most contemporary cultural developments. Third, it deploys many great younger Christian scholars whose voices are so important now. Mere O is important for Christians to read and support."

Tim Keller: Founding Pastor Redeemer Presbyterian Church

I find myself wondering whether the loss of grip on Christian morality and Christian ethical reflection that are so evident in pastoral ministry is simply one side of a loss of grip on theology… The ordained clergy are often, as it were, on the back foot themselves, in an important way, not resourced to cope with the sort of world they face in their parish… Given the provisions we make for them I’m not sure what else we can expect. That sounds a bit gloomy, doesn’t it? Well they can always subscribe to Mere Orthodoxy, and that will give them a little bit of help along the way.

Oliver O'Donovan: Fellow of the British Academy and professor emeritus of Christian ethics and practical theology at the University of Edinburgh.

I have five Christian websites pinned on my home screen, and Mere Orthodoxy is one of them. It’s also the one whose articles I spend the most time reading, thanks to the blend of biblical, historical and cultural insight, the clarity and charity of the writing, and the theological vision it represents. Also, if I’m honest, I just love reading people who are much smarter than I am discussing things that matter. Bravo, Mere O.

Andrew Wilson: Teaching pastor at King’s Church London

In an era when the culture of online engagement tilts less towards the establishment of truth and more towards the scoring of points, Mere Orthodoxy is a place where intellectual engagement with pressing theological and cultural issues is pursued in a manner self-consciously connected to Christian character. It does not reduce thinking to soundbites, clickbait, or tribal signaling. Instead it seeks to promote thoughtful discussion on pressing topics that conduces to the peace, unity, and edification of God's people. Even when I disagree with the views expressed, I always find my own thinking challenged and sharpened. If you believe that the goal of Christian intellectual interaction is that we should grow both in truth and in character, Mere Orthodoxy should be on your regular reading list.

Carl Trueman: Professor: Grove City College, Fellow: Ethics and Public Policy Center

How to Partner With Us

At Mere Orthodoxy we believe that, as Australian pastor Mark Sayers is fond of saying, crisis precedes renewal. Even as it seems that one part of the Christian story in America is ending, we are deeply hopeful about the church’s future. If you wish to partner with us in this work, there are several ways you can join us:

You can pray for us. We talk about religion, politics, and culture on the internet. The job comes with some hazards. Your prayer is needed and deeply appreciated.

You can subscribe to receive our print edition as well as unlimited access to our website.

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You can join us as a giving partner to support the work financially.

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The Christian story is one of unexpected and unlooked for resurrection. As we seek to follow Christ, we work with the hope of final resurrection, and yet also with hope that God might breathe new life into the west’s dry bones. It is with that hope that we go about this work.