Christianity Today International formally announced veteran journalist and author Marvin Olasky has been appointed as editor-in-chief of its flagship magazine, succeeding Russell Moore, who will transition to the role of editor-at-large and columnist.
The appointment was made official this week by Christianity Today Interim President Thomas Addington, who said he was “thrilled” to see Olasky join Moore and the rest of the editorial team in leading the publication into its 70th anniversary year.
“They communicate the message of Jesus with clarity and continue Christianity Today’s legacy as a strong voice for conservative orthodoxy and the heart transformation of the gospel,” Addington said in the official announcement. “I’m grateful for both of these evangelical statesmen working together to lift up the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God.”
Olasky, 75, previously served as editor in chief of World magazine from 1994 to 2021 and is widely regarded as a pioneer of what he calls “biblical worldview journalism.” He is also the author of more than 30 books on journalism, history, and public policy, including “The Tragedy of American Compassion,” “Prodigal Press” (with Warren Smith), and “Compassionate Conservatism.”
“I am thankful to work with Russell Moore and my other colleagues and to follow in the footsteps of Carl F. H. Henry, Christianity Today’s first editor in chief when he and Billy Graham started the magazine in 1956,” Olasky said in the announcement. “We’re celebrating next year its 70th anniversary of attempting to apply biblical thinking to every area of life. We’re now a big tent with global outreach but still faithful to God and not to any political party or movement.”
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Olasky has been affiliated with Christianity Today for the past 18 months, first as a consultant and later as an executive editor. He previously taught journalism at the University of Texas at Austin from 1983 to 2008. His bio identifies him as an elder in the Presbyterian Church of America (PCA).
During his World magazine tenure, Olasky championed a journalism philosophy that rejected the traditional notion of neutrality. “The only true objectivity is biblical objectivity,” he told Southern Baptist journalists in a 2006 address, according to Baptist Press. “The right way to do journalism is to let the Bible teach reporters how to view any event and report on it accordingly.”
That approach earned him both acclaim and criticism. Admirers within evangelical circles praised him as a truth-teller unafraid to challenge secular assumptions, while detractors accused him of politicizing Christian reporting.
Despite the criticism, Moore, who has led Christianity Today since 2022, said Olasky’s appointment strengthens the magazine’s mission.
“Marvin is respected all over the world not only as one of the most accomplished Christian journalists in American history but also for the way he identifies and cultivates the gifts and callings of others,” Moore said. “Many of the most skilled and recognizable Christian journalists right now, on countless platforms all over the country, were trained by Marvin Olasky.”
Moore added that he had long admired Olasky’s courage as a journalist. “I would quite often open up an issue with a low whistle and comment, ‘I can’t believe he is courageous enough to take on that,’” Moore said. “I finally convinced Marvin to take the editor-in-chief parts of this role so I can expand all this writing and speaking without collapsing. I was able to sell it to the powers that be at CT by noting that they could get the best of both of us if they let me have it this way.”
Moore explained that he has been “praying for a year and a half for God to send us a ‘Marvin Olasky type’” to allow him to focus more on writing, audio, and speaking. “I remember the moment when I realized it might just be that the ‘Marvin Olasky type’ God was sending us was, well, Marvin Olasky. That seemed almost too perfect to be real,” he said.
Addington said Moore requested the change to accommodate his growing responsibilities on The Russell Moore Show, his weekly essays, and his cohosting duties on The Bulletin, Christianity Today’s news and analysis podcast.
For now, the publication’s leadership is emphasizing unity. “We’re thrilled,” Addington said, “to see two of the most thoughtful voices in evangelical journalism serving side by side.”
Addington also announced last month that CT was laying off 10 staff, according to Ministry Watch, and that Olasky’s promotion was part of that restructuring.
Also in September, Christianity Today rejected a $10 million buy-out offer from Canon Press, a publishing company founded by prominent Christian nationalist pastor Doug Wilson. Addington responded that CT is not nor has been for sale.
Mark A. Kellner is a reporter based in Mesquite, Nevada. He most recently covered statewide elections for the New York Post and was for three years the Faith & Family Reporter for The Washington Times. Mark is a graduate of the University of the Cumberlands and also attended Boston University’s College of Communication.
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4 Responses
I was sad when I read a story of a dad who was interviewed by him for World magazine. This dad was affirming of LGBT and a pastor. When the article came out he (Marvin) outed his son after the father asked him not to. This sounds wrong and so painful.
We can all make mistakes. I hope he recognizes the pain he caused to this person and their family.
I think this can be true for people who are affirming and those who are not affirming. This is a human experience to be outed against your wishes and preferences.
You can read Olansky’s report online here:
https://wng.org/articles/blindsided-1618008834
And judge for yourself of it was inappropriate.
I read the 2015 article linked by Mike Ward and surmised that John Loppnow is referring to this quote:
“[Pastor Fred} Harrell himself was having tough times. His older son tweeted in 2013, ‘Hooray, the pope doesn’t judge my homosexuality, only my homosexual actions. Now the only barrier between me and Catholicism is my libido.’ ”
The context suggests that Harrell’s son’s orientation was known; hence, Marvin Olasky did not publicly “out” the younger man. If the pastor wished to keep his son’s life secret, why did he share the tweet with Olasky? Mr. Loppnow, please provide more information if available to support your premise that Olasky acted with malice by publishing the disclosure. Thanks.
The most important issue is whether Marvin Olasky will keep Christianity Today from veering towards the world. We will have to see if he can keep the liberal CT writers who donate to liberal causes and liberal politicians in check, or at least get them to disclose their political bias beside their stories.
My parents used to get his former news magazine, WORLD, and I used to read some of the articles. I also inherited one of his famous books, The Tragedy of American Compassion. I like his writing style and focus on the relevance of God as a comprehensive worldview. But I have not followed him lately to know if he has compromised any of his long-held biblical standards.
On paper Olasky appears to be the most qualified person in America to lead Christianity Today. He is getting up there in years, already 75, though. Still, I’ve seen no signs he has missed a step, so maybe at least he can lead us to 2030.
I don’t subscribe to CT but I’m considering it now based on his leadership. In recent years I’ve just read their headlines and obituaries.