Our greatest moral imperative today comes from Polonius to his son Laertes in Shakespeare's Hamlet: “Above all else, to thine own self be true.”In other words, be authentic. But what does that mean? There’s no counterargument. Nobody out there is making a case for you to be less authentic. And every
Twelve-year-old Simi Singh lives in India with her Sikh father and Muslim mother. Her life is permeated with their love, as well as that of her maternal and paternal grandparents. Life at home feels secure and happy, and at school Simi is thriving academically and in extracurricular sports.However,
Protagonist DCI Adam Dalgliesh brought writer P.D. James instant acclaim in her 1962 debut novel, Cover her Face. This poet-detective appeared in 14 James novels through 2008 with cameos in two Cordelia Gray stories.Now in season 3, the ACORN series based on these stories deepens. Dalgliesh has a se
In the late 1950s in Bitter End, Tenn., a prohibited romance between the moonshiner’s daughter and the preacher’s son sets off a firestorm of events with consequences for decades to come.Viola has always wanted to escape the Appalachian Mountains to see the wider world. It’s not that she doesn’t lov
Six Christian Reformed congregations are part of a synchronized multi-church, community-wide effort in the Byron Center, Mich., area to read through the Bible in 2026.“One Book, One Body” is being promoted by the Byron Area Ministerial Association, an organization consisting of pastors and ministry
A much-loved pastor, Dick Stravers was a genuinely kind and compassionate man with a gentle demeanor. “His passion for justice and desire for a better world were forefront in his beliefs—and often delivered with a twinkle in his eye,” a friend remembered in tribute. Dick, 98, died Jan. 12.Dick grew
The water pipes at the early childhood education center where Omar Bohorquez worked had been dry for 16 years. Training from Resonate Global Mission inspired Bohorquez to provide a solution.Venezuela’s water infrastructure struggles to keep up with the population’s needs. While some schools, homes,
In Every Generation is a gathering of artists and writers brought together by people at Belmont University in Nashville as part of a grant that they received to study the intersection of worship and intergenerational ministries. Belmont is at the end of Music Row in Nashville and has a long history
It’s The Banner’s 160th birthday this year, but it wasn’t actually an official publication of the Christian Reformed Church until almost 50 years later. That honor belongs to De Wachter, the Dutch language publication published by the church from 1868 until 1985.De Wachter, true to its name “The Wat
Few Christian living books have a premise as unique as Lori G. Melton’s Journey with a Giant. The Allegan, Mich.-based spiritual director shares her formative journey with Mister (Fred) Rogers as she guides readers in choosing their own “giant” of the faith.Drawing from Hebrews 12 and the “cloud of
Social Media Reset: A 30-Day Guided Journey to Unplug, Reconnect with God, and Reclaim Your JoyBy Allie Marie SmithReviewed by Lorilee CrakerStart 2026 with a social media reset. Need help curbing mindless scrolling, toxic comparisons, and other phone traps? Allie Marie Smith’s book, a worthy and co
A year-old women’s evangelistic training ministry developed out of the gospel-spreading Multiplication Network is equipping participants of Global Coffee Break groups to effectively reach unchurched friends, neighbors, and family members. About 20 women at Lakeside Community Christian Reformed Churc
As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.When I was gr
When author Shelly Sanders learned about the Central Women’s Sniper Training School, established in 1942 in Moscow during what the Soviets called the Great Patriotic War (WWII), she felt compelled to research the lives of the little-known, courageous women who attended the school and fought the Nazi
When author Leyla King, a Palestinian American Episcopal priest, was 14 years old, she began to be aware of her Palestinian heritage, something she had always been oblivious to. In the following years as she attended high school and college, she listened with avid interest to the recollections of he
The musical animated movie “David” charts the biblical character’s rise from a shepherd boy tending sheep to a young king over Israel based on 1 and 2 Samuel. 1 Samuel 13:14 serves as the backdrop: “The Lord has sought for himself a man after his own heart.”Young David doesn’t desire kingship becaus
My favorite kind of test is multiple choice (or, as it is sometimes called, “multiple guess”). “Fill in the blank” tests are much tougher. So here’s one for you: “_____ by itself, if not accompanied by _____, is dead.”This phrase from James 2:17 is one of the many verses in which James “fills in the
This new edition of the Bible exists to make Bible-reading more accessible to readers of all ages and abilities. This Bible is ideal for people who get easily distracted, lose focus, or become frustrated during their quiet times. It is designed to be specifically helpful for those who have dyslexia
Should Christians watch MA-rated TV shows or R-rated movies?It is said that we are living in the golden age of television. Never before have TV shows been so well made and so readily accessible. Even movies, while perhaps struggling at the box office, are just a few clicks away on our smart TVs. At
Take my life and let it beconsecrated, Lord, to thee.Take my moments and my days;let them flow in endless praise,let them flow in endless praise.On Feb. 13 I walked through the front door of the cozy split-level home that hosted our monthly women’s book club, and I noticed the atmosphere was somber,