Christianity Today, or Christianity Astray?
Founded in 1956 by Billy Graham, Christianity Today was long the standard bearer for the evangelical Christian populace. I say, “was” because in recent years the publication has degraded from “periodical” to “rag,” and from “flagship” to “infamous embarrassment.” The most recent foray into theological stupidity is no exception.
The Infamous Article
For those who may not be aware of it, on April 14, 2025, the Monday of what is commonly called “Holy Week,” CT Senior News Editor, Daniel Silliman wrote and published an article titled, Was Jesus Crucified with Nails? The article, relying heavily on the work of Gordon College Bible scholar Jeffrey P. Arroyo García, argued that Jesus was not nailed to the cross, but was, rather, tied to it with ropes. García argued in the spring issue of Biblical Archeology Review1 that he finds it unlikely that Jesus was nailed to the cross, and that he finds biblical evidence to the contrary unconvincing.
Before the sound of Silliman’s last keystroke click had faded, online social media was rife with responses ranging from incredulity to outrage. Responses argued (accurately) that Silliman was challenging the inerrancy of scripture, an accusation that Silliman admits is true, and for which he later expressed regret. A post on X.com from Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) even sported the introductory statement, “The Bible doesn’t say Jesus was nailed to a cross.”
My article implicitly called into question the inerrancy of Scripture. In my eagerness to explore the historical context of Christ’s death, I missed that, and I’m sorry.
– Daniel Silliman, Christianity Today Senior News Editor
Hundreds social media posts cited unmistakable scriptural references demonstrating that Jesus was, indeed, nailed to the cross rather than roped to it.2 Extra-biblical sources such as the writings of Justin Martyr, Ignatius, Irenaeus, Origin, and Tertullian overwhelmingly confirm the use of nails in Roman crucifixions. The tidal wave of negative online responses reinforced the prevailing assessment that CT’s purpose in today’s media is to serve as a launching point for progressive ideology and anti-biblical theology.
A Shift in Focus
While all this uproar is simultaneously intriguing and disconcerting, I’m inclined to leave Silliman alone now and let him deal with the egg on his face while we shift our focus to another player, or perhaps non-player, in this latest embarrassing moment for Christianity Today, and that is the profound silence of CT Editor in Chief, Russell Moore. As of this writing, I have seen nothing from Moore in the way of an explanation for how such an article could have slid through the editorial process, unless it was intentional, which I believe it was.
There is no convincing me that Moore was unaware of this article and its contents, or that it was published without his approval. It appears very much as though Moore, probably not expecting the quick and overwhelming backlash, has pulled away from this controversy and left Silliman to tread water on his own. Further, it is exceedingly unusual for a retraction and apology, such as that published by Christianity Today on April 22, to come from the offending author himself, while the senior editorial staff says nothing. And that’s what we have from Russel Moore thus far—nothing, almost as a pretense that he was/is not involved.
Don’t lose sight of the fact that this is just the latest in an avalanche of departures from the historical faith by Christianity Today. CT’s reputation is on life-support, having been sullied by calling the pro-homosexual Respect for Marriage Act a “win for the common good,”3 and by promoting the use of personal pronouns4 (he/him, she/her, zim/zer, zee/zay/zop). Accusations of sexual misconduct have been leveled against the company.5 CT ran a month of ads for Brian Nietzel’s MTR podcast,6 promoting the advancement of “affirming” churches. During the COVID-19 lock-downs, CT took a shot at those churches who defied the order by comparing them to snake handlers.7 There was the claim that installation of solar panels on church buildings is a gospel issue.8 CT has dipped their toe into racial issues taking several pot shots at white Christians in the U.S.9 The list of eye-rollers at CT is long and depressing, sometimes even laughable, but certainly sad.
So what? Why does it matter?
I’ve rambled on now for eight paragraphs, expressing my disapproval of the Silliman article, so it is fair to ask, “So what, Damon? Why does this even matter? It’s just nails!”
That’s true. It is just nails. It does not change the fact that Jesus died and was, in some fashion, attached to a cross. But if we allow a publication like Christianity Today to continue calling into question various details of the core faith handed down by the fathers of our faith, the shredding of our beliefs is inevitable. If they can persuade us to believe John’s gospel is mistaken about the nails, then maybe John is mistaken about the resurrection. Who could possibly believe dead people come back to life? It’s preposterous!
No, my friends. It does matter and it matters very much. I cannot, and will not, sit quietly by while a publication claiming to be an authority on the Christian faith takes pot shots at the Bible and those of us who accept it as authoritative, attempting to undermine its validity and believability, and to paint us as fools and buffoons. If this makes me a bad guy, so be it. I’ll take the lashes for standing firm on scripture as the word of God.
1. https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/nails-or-knots-how-was-jesus-crucified/
2. John 20:25-27, Luke 24:39-40, Colossians 2:14, Psalm 22:16-18
3. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2022/11/same-sex-marriage-religious-liberty-respect-marriage-act/
4. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2023/08/should-christians-offer-preferred-gender-pronouns/
5. https://religionnews.com/2022/03/15/former-christianity-today-editor-mark-galli-accused-of-sexual-harassment-trump/
6. https://protestia.com/2023/02/14/christianity-today-promotes-gay-affirming-ministry-with-ties-to-north-point-church/
7. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2020/03/easter-without-church-covid-19-coronavirus/
8. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2020/10/creation-care-movement-action-solar-power-petition/
9. https://protestia.com/2020/10/12/christianity-today-bashes-white-christians-as-racists-who-commit-violence-on-black-people-by-voting-gop/
