For nearly seven decades, Christianity Today has been a steady presence in evangelical media. The magazine was founded in 1956 by Billy Graham and has grown into one of the most recognized Christian publications in the world. Its stated mission centers on seeking the kingdom of God, and it describes itself as a storyteller of the global church. For believers who want to understand the times through a biblical lens, Christianity Today remains a meaningful resource worth knowing.
The History of Christianity Today
Christianity Today began in 1956 as an evangelical Christian media magazine. Billy Graham, one of the most influential evangelists of the twentieth century, founded the publication to give evangelical Christians a credible voice in journalism and theological conversation. The magazine is published by Christianity Today International, an organization that has supported the publication’s mission for decades.
In 2024, the magazine marked 68 years of continuous publication. That kind of longevity matters in a media environment where many Christian outlets have come and gone. Christianity Today has remained active by adapting to new formats while holding to its core purpose: advancing the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God. Few Christian media organizations can claim a history that stretches back more than six decades, and that depth of experience shapes the way the publication approaches its work.
What Christianity Today Stands For
The official site of Christianity Today uses a simple phrase as its guiding theme: Seek the Kingdom. That short statement reflects the publication’s desire to focus readers on the priorities of God’s kingdom rather than on the shifting concerns of any single era or political movement.
The magazine describes its role in distinctive terms. It calls itself a storyteller of the global church, a unifying voice amid chaos and confusion, and a home for all who seek the kingdom of God. Those phrases reveal a publication that sees itself as more than a news source. It aims to connect believers across denominations, cultures, and continents through shared faith and shared stories.
Christianity Today also provides thoughtful, biblical perspectives on theology, church, ministry, and culture. That means its content is not limited to breaking news. Readers find essays on doctrine, features about local congregations, interviews with church leaders, and cultural commentary that approaches current events from a Christian worldview. The goal is to help readers think carefully about their faith and apply it to every area of life.
Leadership at Christianity Today
Christianity Today is led by people with significant experience in Christian media and ministry. Nicole Massie Martin serves as President and CEO of the organization. In that role, she oversees the direction of the publication and its related ministries.
Marvin Olasky serves as Editor-in-Chief. Olasky is responsible for the editorial vision of the magazine, including the articles, columns, and analysis that appear across its platforms. Together, this leadership team guides Christianity Today through a period of rapid change in both the media industry and the broader culture.
How Christianity Today Reaches Its Readers
Christianity Today was born as a print magazine, but it has expanded into digital media in significant ways. The publication maintains an active presence on platforms like YouTube and Facebook, where it engages with readers through video content, discussion, and shared articles.
The organization also offers a mobile app. The app, available through the Google Play Store, is designed to help readers make sense of today’s world through a biblical lens. It provides access to the latest Christian news and analysis, making it easier for believers to stay informed wherever they are.
This digital reach is especially important for younger evangelicals who consume most of their media on phones and social platforms. By maintaining both a magazine and a robust online presence, Christianity Today can speak to multiple generations at once. Whether someone prefers a long-form article, a short video, or a social media post, the publication has a format that fits their habits.
Christianity Today and Christian Today: Know the Difference
One common point of confusion is the difference between Christianity Today and Christian Today. They are separate organizations. Christianity Today is the American evangelical magazine founded by Billy Graham in 1956. Christian Today is a London-based Christian website that covers religious news and current events.
Christian Today, the London-based outlet, reports on stories from around the world. For example, it covered a Catholic funeral service in Nigeria where 30 Christians who were massacred were laid to rest, with pastors and members of various churches in attendance. Stories like this show how a separate news organization can carry a similar name while operating independently of the American magazine.
Readers who search online for these names will often encounter both organizations. Knowing the difference helps readers understand which source they are actually reading and how to evaluate the content accordingly.
A Voice for the Global Church
One of the most distinctive aspects of Christianity Today is its self-appointed role as a storyteller of the global church. The magazine does not limit its focus to American congregations or Western theology. It seeks to tell stories from Christians around the world, highlighting how the kingdom of God is advancing in different cultures and contexts.
This global perspective is valuable for believers who want to see beyond their own local church experience. Christians in different parts of the world face different challenges and opportunities, and hearing those stories can strengthen the faith of readers everywhere. The publication’s stated desire to be a unifying voice amid chaos and confusion also points to its ambition to bridge divides within the global body of Christ.
Criticism and Ongoing Debate
No major Christian publication operates without criticism, and Christianity Today is no exception. Some critics have argued that the magazine has produced content that challenges the clarity of Scripture. One critique circulating online claims the publication made statements suggesting that Jesus was Asian, a claim that critics describe as blasphemous. These criticisms have been discussed in connection with an article titled “The Rise and Fall of Christianity Today.”
It is important for readers to evaluate such claims carefully and to read the original content for themselves. Christianity Today has a long history of publishing a wide range of evangelical voices, and like any publication, individual articles can generate disagreement. Believers who want to engage with the magazine should weigh its content against Scripture and their own theological convictions.
At the same time, the publication’s stated goal remains clear: to be a home for all who seek the kingdom of God and a unifying voice in a divided world. Whether it always succeeds in that goal is a matter of ongoing discussion among its readers, supporters, and critics.
Why Christianity Today Still Matters
In a culture that grows more fragmented by the day, a publication that tries to unify Christians around the kingdom of God serves a valuable purpose. Christianity Today has spent 68 years telling the stories of the global church. That long history gives it a perspective that newer outlets simply do not have.
For believers who want to think deeply about theology, stay informed about the church around the world, and understand culture through a biblical lens, Christianity Today remains a relevant resource. Its longevity, its digital presence, and its stated commitment to the kingdom of God make it a publication worth following.
And for those who want to live out their faith visibly, the conversation does not end with reading. Wearing a shirt with a cross, a scripture verse, or a faith-based design is one practical way to keep the message of the kingdom present in everyday life. A publication like Christianity Today feeds the mind, while apparel and gifts that carry biblical truth help believers represent their faith with courage and confidence in every setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded Christianity Today?
Christianity Today was founded in 1956 by Billy Graham. The evangelist created the magazine to provide evangelical Christians with a credible voice in journalism and theological conversation. The publication is now overseen by Christianity Today International and continues to operate under its original kingdom-focused mission.
Is Christianity Today different from Christian Today?
Yes. Christianity Today is the American evangelical magazine founded by Billy Graham in 1956. Christian Today is a separate, London-based Christian website that covers worldwide religious news. The two organizations are not the same, even though their names are similar and both focus on Christian content.
Where can I read Christianity Today?
Christianity Today is available on its official website, through a mobile app on the Google Play Store, and across social media platforms including YouTube and Facebook. Readers can access articles, analysis, and video content through these channels, making it convenient to follow the publication on any device.
What does Christianity Today stand for?
The publication’s guiding theme is “Seek the Kingdom.” It describes itself as a storyteller of the global church and a unifying voice amid chaos and confusion. Its goal is to provide thoughtful, biblical perspectives on theology, church, ministry, and culture while advancing the stories and ideas of the kingdom of God.
