RealClearReligion Articles

It had been over three hours by now. Three hours with the crown of thorns pressed into His head. Three hours with the nails piercing His hands and His feet. Three hours with His raw and bleeding back pressed against a rough, wooden cross. Three hours of anguish and suffering. Now, though, at about three in the afternoon, it was coming to an end. Those who stood within shouting distance of the cross heard the first scream: “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” They thought He was calling for divine intervention, a miracle of salvation from God to deliver Him from imminent...

This week Christians around the world of all strands celebrate what we consider some of the most significant events in world history — the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on behalf of the salvation for those who believe in the Lord. There are many historical reasons to believe in these events, which I’ve addressed in previous columns, such as this and this.  Meanwhile, as a student of American history, I find it fascinating that, for the most part, the vast majority of our nation’s settlers and founding fathers also believed it.  Here are some...

My wife and I are in the process of building a home. As we looked at pictures of the framed walls and concrete floors, we dreamed of how we would furnish the home. How should we orient the couch? Where should we hang the painting we love? I asked AI to generate images of what the unfinished rooms would look like when completed, and my wife made one request: French country style. In mere moments, we could see the soft colors and warm textures of our future living room.  I have used AI to help refine emails, conduct research, or even create a strategy for my fantasy baseball draft. As a...

For many people across the U.S., Easter Sunday means pastel-colored clothes, jelly beans, Cadbury eggs, or marshmallow Peeps. But Easter is far more than a cultural tradition or seasonal celebration. It is a declaration that should actually shape the way we live and has the power to transform lives: He is risen!  That truth, echoed by believers all around the world every Easter Sunday, is the foundation of a faith that calls us not to a life of comfort, but to a life of commitment.  Too often, we treat Christianity as a system designed to make life easier, provide emotional...

Editor’s note: The following commentary is an excerpt from remarks presented before the Presidential Religious Liberty Commission on March 16, 2026, with minor edits made only for readability.I serve as executive director of the Downtown Hope Center in Anchorage, Alaska. Our ministry serves people experiencing homelessness and hardship in our community. Every day, we serve more than 700 people a warm, nutritious lunch. During the day, the Hope Center serves everyone who seeks our services. We offer meals, showers, laundry service, and assistance to rebuild broken lives. We also offer...

When clean water is unavailable, the effects reach far beyond thirst. The consequences touch every part of daily life.  I often think of women like Dafne who, until recently, lived in a village without access to safe water. Her day began long before sunrise. At four in the morning, she would rise from a woven mat on the dirt floor of her small home, wrap her baby in a shawl, and walk with a large empty jar toward a watering hole on the outskirts of her community. Along the path, other women would join her, all hurrying to collect water before the day’s responsibilities...

Recent polling brings to mind ancient scripture: Wealth and religion remain far apart. Alas, it has always been thus. However, it is not the latter that excludes the former, but the other way around. Earlier this month, Gallup released polling showing: “The percentage of Americans who say religion is “very important” in their lives has leveled off below 50% in recent years, including 47% in 2025. The reading has been gradually declining from 58% in 2012 and was as high as 70% to 75% in the 1950s and 1960s.” This sad, low level of belief is even worse in the...

After two boys, I so badly wanted a daughter. The boys were two years apart. Too close, I thought. Maybe we should wait two and a half years before having another child. That would take us to September 1989.  My mom's birthday is the 19th of September, so that would be the perfect day. We had my family over for my mom's birthday in September 1988, so I announced that for my mom's NEXT birthday I would have a baby girl.  Three months later, we had the shock of my sister Lynne passing away unexpectedly. You can imagine what our family went through, I won't go into that, but I didn't...

Here’s a trivia question…Who christened the Titanic? I’ll answer that question later. Interest in the Titanic never seems to abate. My wife and I got to visit an interactive, high-tech exhibit on the Titanic, which included a few artifacts brought up from the bottom of the sea, such as Captain Smith’s binoculars. The website for the exhibit notes: “Titanic: An Immersive Voyage in Florida is an extraordinary expedition that takes you deep into the history of the Titanic. Immersive video animations, and 3D projections allow you...

When we are overwhelmed by bad news, and by our own fears and failures, it can feel impossible to speak hope and life into the people and circumstances we care about most. Yet, thousands of years ago, God gave His people a simple, timeless prayer; a blessing so powerful that it still carries authority, favor, and protection today.  In Number 6:22-27, the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious...

God-given femininity. The very concept seems to ignite a powder keg of emotions. For centuries, the beauty of God-given femininity has been under attack, its definition debated, and its behavior contested. In recent years, these attacks have intensified in visible and troubling ways. Secular media and influencers increasingly portray traditional feminine roles as outdated, oppressive or even harmful. High-profile cultural moments, including debates over women’s sports where biological males compete against females, have eroded protections rooted in biblical sexual...

One of the remarkable aspects of the IDF-Hamas war has been the attitude and behavior of Israel’s Arab citizens. Despite repeated provocation from the extreme rightwing led by Ben Gvir, they have maintained if not increased their allegiance to the state.  Moreover, their relationship with their Jewish neighbors has not been frayed but in many cases strengthened. Immediately after the October 7th attack, Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas gave an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ actions. It resonated broadly among Arab citizens as evidenced by the willingness of 86.5 percent...

A Texas member of the state House of Representatives from the liberal district of Austin catapulted to national fame last week. Why? He beat outspoken Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary as a candidate for the U.S. Senate. After this victory, Congressman James Talarico, said, “We are not just trying to win an election, We are trying to fundamentally change our politics. And it’s working.” What makes this politician of interest is that in the name of religion, he makes a lot of radical claims. He refers to the Bible as if it supports things that it clearly...

Since at least the 1960s, the idea of a Shia cleric-led government had been occupying the mind of the Shia cleric Ruhollah Khomeini. In 1980, his wish came true. For nearly 50 years, Iran has suffered under an authoritarian system led by Shia clerics. As a heap of despotism, the Regime violates every Shia principle of governance and is regularly indicted by human rights organizations for its violent crackdowns on dissent, forced disappearances, and mass executions. In the West, the Iranian Regime has become the scapegoat of “Sharia Law” and Islamic governance. However, while the...

For decades, the Middle East has been a significant hotbed of conflict, plagued by international wars, civil unrest, and ongoing battles between geopolitical and ideological rivalries that often transcend national boundaries. Although it is often considered a Middle Eastern country, the Islamic Republic of Iran bridges the gap between the Arab world and Central Asia. Iran also has some unique distinguishing features, such as its distinct Persian culture and the use of Farsi rather than Arabic as the official language. Regionally, Iran is a military powerhouse, having one...

The United States may not be in the midst of a spiritual revival, as President Donald Trump touted during the State of the Union Address, Feb. 24. The data is mixed, with religion being viewed as “very important” to less than half of Americans, as a recent Gallup survey found.  Nevertheless, for the nation to prosper and bind together, religiosity is not only a crucial aspect of civil society, but vital to its sustainability. This sentiment was expressed by none other than the country's first president, George Washington. Although private in his own religious convictions and...

On the banks of the Rhine rises one of the most recognizable structures in Europe — a cathedral whose story spans centuries of faith, ambition, and human effort. For more than six centuries, the cathedral stood unfinished, its half-completed towers a familiar landmark along the Rhine. Cologne Cathedral towers above the surrounding city, its twin spires climbing 515 feet (157 meters) into the sky. Begun in the High Middle Ages and completed only in the nineteenth century, it stands today as one of the most ambitious stone building projects ever undertaken. When construction was finally...

It seems that virtually every week that goes by, there is an attack on our national patriotism in one way or another.  In the historic town of Winchester, Virginia, (not far from Harpers Ferry, WV), the town council has decided the Pledge of Allegiance is not needed for their regular meetings. The Daily Caller writes, “A Virginian public commission voted on Feb. 17 not to recite the Pledge of Allegiance before its business meetings, according to The Winchester Star.”  They add, “Commissioner Leesa Mayfield, who opposed the measure to add it, said she had nothing...

Apparently, that bastion of former unbiased news coverage, CNN, is promoting an upcoming installment of “The Whole Story” titled The Rise of Christian Nationalism, set to air on Sunday, March 8. According to Pamela Brown, their chief investigative correspondent, she has been working on this project for several months and will also expose Christian classical education, along with this alarming rise in “Christian Nationalism,” as one of the great threats to our democracy. To sustain her conclusion, she points to the “radicalization” of Christianity...