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** One day after MLK
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One critique I’ve heard about my former tradition (White non-denominational evangelicalism) has to do with their alleged appropriation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s words. One Sunday each year in conjunction with the federal holiday, the accusation goes, churches roll out some King quotes to signal they are against racism—then the other 51 weeks of the year they enthusiastically lean into racialized inequalities in income, housing, education, healthcare, etc.

It’s a harsh critique, but one that I think all White Christians, churches, and traditions should ponder without defensiveness. No matter how often we might quote King, are we also fully committed to following his example of nonviolent resistance? The Century is preparing to publish the list of our 25 top articles of 2025 (stay tuned next week), but I will offer one spoiler today: Isaac Villegas’s excellent essay about the last sermon King wrote before he died ([link removed]) —a sermon titled “Why America may go to hell.”

Check that one out if you missed it last year. We also have some great content that is brand new. Michael Woolf reflects on the gospel themes of resurrection and faith ([link removed]) in the Stranger Things finale. The Century’s editorial team explores the dangers of stereotyping ([link removed]) —not just for our president but for all of us. Kathryn Reklis reviews a movie about Shaker history, and in the process considers the ways we encounter religious fervor ([link removed]) . Plus even more below.

Jon Mathieu
Email me (mailto:[email protected]?subject=Martin%20Luther%20King%20Jr.&body=Jon%2C%20) : How have you engaged with MLK’s work or words?
Schedule a Friday lunch chat ([link removed]) (this feature is finally back and my calendar is open)
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** Stranger Things at the hinge point of faith ([link removed])
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“I’m thankful for the Stranger Things creators’ commitment to hope even amid deep uncertainty, and the way those claims echo the gospel.”

by Michael Woolf
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** Dangerous caricatures ([link removed])
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“Not everyone demonizes groups of people the way Trump does. But we all generalize about people based on their identity markers, whether we’re Democrats or Republicans, wealthy or poor. Why do we do this?”

by the CC editors
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** The heaving, howling, rolling, jumping ecstasy of Ann Lee ([link removed])
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“I know ‘Shaker musical’ sounds like a prompt at a bad improv class. But Mona Fastvold’s new film is wild and wondrous.”

by Kathryn Reklis
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** In the Lectionary for January 25 (Epiphany 3A) ([link removed])
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Remembering the past enlightens our understanding of the present. We have been here before.

by Christine Chakoian
Epiphany 3A archives ([link removed])
Get even more lectionary resources with Sunday’s Coming Premium, an email newsletter from the editors of the Christian Century. Learn more ([link removed]) .


** Learning in pieces ([link removed])
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We asked eight theological educators to tell us what is most exciting about their current work.

by selected authors


** Exclusive ([link removed])
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“For a while, at least, others recede, / become background music, faintly heard. / We’re the still point of an envious world.”

poem by Sarah Gordon

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