Jonathan Merritt is one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing – and How We Can Revive Them, named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books.
Jonathan is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, and a regular columnist for Religion News Service. He has published more than 3000 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washington Post, The Daily Beast and Christianity Today.
In addition to the written word, Jonathan regularly contributes commentary to television, print, and radio news outlets. He has been interviewed by ABC World News, CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, PBS, and CBS’ “60 Minutes.”
Jonathan is also a sought after speaker at colleges, conferences, and churches on topics relating to spirituality, politics, and current events. Whether he is delivering an academic lecture or inspirational sermon, Jonathan’s captivating communication style and powerful presence are well-suited for intimate gatherings of hundreds or arenas filled with thousands.
As a collaborator or ghostwriter, Jonathan has worked on more than 50 books, with several titles landing on the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers lists. Additionally, he trains hundreds of young writers through his Write Brilliant seminars and online course. He is often available for exclusive one-on-one coaching for a select number of advanced writers.
Jonathan holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, and has done additional graduate work focused on ascetical theology at The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades including the Wilbur Award for excellence in journalism, and the Religion News Association’s columnist of the year award.
Jonathan currently happily resides in New York City. He is an aspiring dog dad, a college football fan, and intolerable before coffee
This is a wide ranging discussion where we discuss Jonathan’s experience as the son of a Southern Baptist megachurch pastor, his spirituality, and his writing processes, among other topics. It’s a fascinating discussion and I’m grateful to Jonathan for having it with me. As always, thanks for reading and listening.
Jonathan’s books:
- Learning to Speak God From Scratch: Why Sacred Words Are Vanishing – And How We Can Revive Them – 2018
- Jesus is Better Than You Imagined – 2014
- A Faith of Our Own: Following Jesus Beyond the Culture Wars – 2012
- Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for Our Planet – 2010
Other books mentioned in this episode:
- Circe – Madeline Miller
- Dancing at the Edge of the World: Thoughts on Words, Women, Places – Ursula Le Guin
- Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed – Lori Gottlieb
- No Cure For Being Human (And Other Truths I Need to Hear) – Kate Bowler
- The Song of Achilles – Madeline Miller
- Where the Light Fell – Philip Yancey
Other people and places mentioned in this episode:
- Daniel Akin
- Cross Pointe Church
- David Clark
- Allison Fallon
- Jerry Falwell
- Margaret Feinberg
- David Gushee
- Liberty University
- Donald Miller
- Beth Moore
- Ed Stetzer
- Michael Weir
- Write Brilliant Academy
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