The Archive

Every essay.

Jake MeadorHistoryEvangelicalism

Evangelical Roots of the Benedict Option | Mere Orthodoxy

The much-discussed Benedict Option is actually old hat amongst a certain group of evangelicals who have been practicing it since 1955.

Matthew Lee AndersonMere Fidelity

Mere Fidelity: Cultural Presuppositions and the Practices that Embody Them

How do cultural practices affect particular actions or decisions? The Mere Fidelity guys start with in-vitro fertilization and move outward from there.

Jake MeadorCultureChurchSocial Trends

Respectability and the Plausibility of Orthodoxy

The rise of moralistic, therapeutic deism has created new challenges for the church and, particularly, for the concept of religious orthodoxy.

Matthew Loftus

Beyond the Pink Police State: Community Health Workers - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

James Poulos’ recent exploration of what he dubs the Pink Police State lays out an argument that is clear, even if not immediately accessible.

Guest WriterFormation

A Joyful Indifference: A Reply from Tish Harrison-Warren - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

Tish Harrison-Warren replies to Matthew Lee Anderson about disrespectable Christianity and the joy Christians need.

Matthew Lee AndersonSociety

On Social Media and the Erosion of Conversation

Social media isn't solely to blame for the erosion of conversation. But Twitter, Facebook, and other personalizing platforms may contribute.

Matthew Lee Anderson

Which Generous Spaciousness for Gay Christians? - Mere Orthodoxy | Christianity, Politics, and Culture

Generous Spaciousness by Wendy VanderWal-Gritter claims to offer guidance for churches wanting to include gay Christians. Does it?

Matthew Lee AndersonFormation

On Disrespectable Christianity

Christians often want respectability, even if they don't realize it. That's a good they should give up.

Matthew Lee AndersonMere Fidelity

Mere Fidelity: Made for More, with Hannah Anderson

Hannah Anderson's Made for More is a book on the image of God, women, and their role in the church. She joins Mere Fidelity to discuss it.

Guest WriterSociety

How Ferguson Taught me To Love Cops and Looters

Both cops and the people of Ferguson were captivated by fear. Loving our neighbor in Ferguson means understanding this and them.

Jake MeadorChurch

Should Sermons Be Published?

A recent Leadership Journal article explained how podcasting changes how we preach but never asked if sermons should be published in the first place.

Matthew Lee AndersonMere Fidelity

Mere Fidelity: And who is a person?

Embryo research raises deep questions, especially who a person is. The Mere Fidelity gang takes up this question and more.