Ted Olsen
@tedolsen.bsky.social
Associate Publisher and Editorial Director for Media and Trade Books, InterVarsity Press. Formerly Executive Editor (etc) at Christianity Today.
2025: When book spines became book covers
November 25, 2025 at 3:50 PM
2025: When book spines became book covers
Reposted by Ted Olsen
One of my preaching pet peeves* is when people talk about their process. I don’t care! Now, I personally am interested in preaching & homiletics, so would that be an interesting conversation over coffee? Sure. But do not tell me “When I first looked at these readings, I winced.” Cut it!! Cut it.
November 17, 2025 at 7:27 PM
One of my preaching pet peeves* is when people talk about their process. I don’t care! Now, I personally am interested in preaching & homiletics, so would that be an interesting conversation over coffee? Sure. But do not tell me “When I first looked at these readings, I winced.” Cut it!! Cut it.
I’m so grateful to have worked with Daniel at @christianitytoday.com . What a pro and a gift to the church he has been. He sharpened my views of Christianity, journalism, history… Btw: His newsletter & podcast are musts for me:
danielsilliman.substack.com
bendoesntknowwhatsgoingon.buzzsprout.com
danielsilliman.substack.com
bendoesntknowwhatsgoingon.buzzsprout.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:36 AM
I’m so grateful to have worked with Daniel at @christianitytoday.com . What a pro and a gift to the church he has been. He sharpened my views of Christianity, journalism, history… Btw: His newsletter & podcast are musts for me:
danielsilliman.substack.com
bendoesntknowwhatsgoingon.buzzsprout.com
danielsilliman.substack.com
bendoesntknowwhatsgoingon.buzzsprout.com
DHS backed off the “no more prayer in front of [the ICE] building” order it issued last week. Today it looks like there is LOTS of prayer, at least down the street in the "free speech" zone.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/08/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/08/f...
Here in Broadview, outside Chicago, a large group of faith leaders & protesters have gathered this morning outside of ICE’s detention center.
This looks like one of the largest protests on Beach St. in weeks, where the city of Broadview is still enforcing a small “free speech” zone. It’s packed.
This looks like one of the largest protests on Beach St. in weeks, where the city of Broadview is still enforcing a small “free speech” zone. It’s packed.
November 14, 2025 at 3:27 PM
DHS backed off the “no more prayer in front of [the ICE] building” order it issued last week. Today it looks like there is LOTS of prayer, at least down the street in the "free speech" zone.
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/08/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/08/f...
Reposted by Ted Olsen
it is absolutely true that "the gospel is political but not partisan" insofar as per se support for a given political party is not the content of the gospel
but if that becomes "one party supports pepper spraying the baby, so you can't talk about that or you're being partisan" we should all go home
but if that becomes "one party supports pepper spraying the baby, so you can't talk about that or you're being partisan" we should all go home
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
it is absolutely true that "the gospel is political but not partisan" insofar as per se support for a given political party is not the content of the gospel
but if that becomes "one party supports pepper spraying the baby, so you can't talk about that or you're being partisan" we should all go home
but if that becomes "one party supports pepper spraying the baby, so you can't talk about that or you're being partisan" we should all go home
Believers have been gathering weekly outside the Broadview ICE facility to pray for *19 years*. Yesterday the U.S. government told them, “no more prayer … because it's the state.”
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
Feds Tell Faith Leaders 'No More Prayer' Outside Broadview Facility
In a possible violation of the First Amendment, federal officials instructed demonstrators to stop holding religious gatherings outside the immigration processing facility in suburban Broadview after ...
blockclubchicago.org
November 8, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Believers have been gathering weekly outside the Broadview ICE facility to pray for *19 years*. Yesterday the U.S. government told them, “no more prayer … because it's the state.”
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
blockclubchicago.org/2025/11/07/f...
Reposted by Ted Olsen
Pastor David Black, another plaintiff whom federal agents have shot with pepper balls:
"My sincere desire is to see ICE agents delivered from the wickedness which binds their souls, and for all whom they have kidnapped & brutalized to be restored to the communities where they choose to belong."
"My sincere desire is to see ICE agents delivered from the wickedness which binds their souls, and for all whom they have kidnapped & brutalized to be restored to the communities where they choose to belong."
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Pastor David Black, another plaintiff whom federal agents have shot with pepper balls:
"My sincere desire is to see ICE agents delivered from the wickedness which binds their souls, and for all whom they have kidnapped & brutalized to be restored to the communities where they choose to belong."
"My sincere desire is to see ICE agents delivered from the wickedness which binds their souls, and for all whom they have kidnapped & brutalized to be restored to the communities where they choose to belong."
Are the accounts that reply to every judicial ruling with "he'll just ignore it" all bots?
November 6, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Are the accounts that reply to every judicial ruling with "he'll just ignore it" all bots?
Molly Roberts's live coverage of the Sandwich Guy trial has been a delightful highlight in a week of good news.
We have reached a verdict: Not guilty.
November 6, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Molly Roberts's live coverage of the Sandwich Guy trial has been a delightful highlight in a week of good news.
Fred Sanders presents: The Gospel According to 6 7.
Inevitable, but well done (except for the AI art).
fredfredfred.com/2025/11/the-...
Inevitable, but well done (except for the AI art).
fredfredfred.com/2025/11/the-...
The Gospel According to 6:7 · Fred Sanders
I wasn't going to share this, but once I wrote it up I realized it's actually low-key fire. So let's lock in here: Open your Bible to the first 6:7, which is Genesis 6:7: So the LORD said, “I will blo...
fredfredfred.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Fred Sanders presents: The Gospel According to 6 7.
Inevitable, but well done (except for the AI art).
fredfredfred.com/2025/11/the-...
Inevitable, but well done (except for the AI art).
fredfredfred.com/2025/11/the-...
Happy birthday to Francis Grimke and Philip Yancey—born 99 years apart. Both significantly reshaped my Christian thinking through their writing.
November 4, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Happy birthday to Francis Grimke and Philip Yancey—born 99 years apart. Both significantly reshaped my Christian thinking through their writing.
Excellent, nuanced reporting here from @rachelnuwer.bsky.social on the complicated fight for survival between relocated elephants and folks in Zambia and Malawi. @biographic.bsky.social is such a great publication.
www.biographic.com/the-wild-ele...
www.biographic.com/the-wild-ele...
The Wild Elephant in the Room
Conservationists seeking to restore elephant populations in a Malawian national park inadvertently upended human lives, revealing the risks of large-mammal translocations.
www.biographic.com
October 30, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Excellent, nuanced reporting here from @rachelnuwer.bsky.social on the complicated fight for survival between relocated elephants and folks in Zambia and Malawi. @biographic.bsky.social is such a great publication.
www.biographic.com/the-wild-ele...
www.biographic.com/the-wild-ele...
Reposted by Ted Olsen
It's possible to be faithful in the public square without joining the culture war. In fact, there's a model. The Black church's social action tradition has long rejected the idea that overcoming polarization means moral compromise.
Preorder 'Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around' by Justin Giboney.
Preorder 'Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around' by Justin Giboney.
October 24, 2025 at 9:36 PM
It's possible to be faithful in the public square without joining the culture war. In fact, there's a model. The Black church's social action tradition has long rejected the idea that overcoming polarization means moral compromise.
Preorder 'Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around' by Justin Giboney.
Preorder 'Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around' by Justin Giboney.
Reposted by Ted Olsen
interesting - "We are living in a moment when giving is too often used not to serve but to control ... Some of the loudest voices in public life now assert that their donations give them carte blanche to dictate the terms of belonging."
www.wsj.com/us-news/laur...
www.wsj.com/us-news/laur...
Essay | Laurene Powell Jobs: Beware of Philanthropists Who Want Control in Exchange for Their Giving
True generosity flows quietly to communities that already know what they need, building capacity not dependency.
www.wsj.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
interesting - "We are living in a moment when giving is too often used not to serve but to control ... Some of the loudest voices in public life now assert that their donations give them carte blanche to dictate the terms of belonging."
www.wsj.com/us-news/laur...
www.wsj.com/us-news/laur...
Reposted by Ted Olsen
Incredible "limited time" deal on the Kindle version of my new book, "Thinning the Veil!" Only $5!
amzn.to/4hhCDhB
amzn.to/4hhCDhB
Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation
Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation - Kindle edition by Wood, Shane J.. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation.
amzn.to
October 17, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Incredible "limited time" deal on the Kindle version of my new book, "Thinning the Veil!" Only $5!
amzn.to/4hhCDhB
amzn.to/4hhCDhB
Gotta say, I don't love Pritzker "winning" $1.4 million at a casino.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/g...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/g...
Gov. JB Pritzker and his wife report $10.3 million in taxable income — $1.4 million in gambling winnings
Five months before the Democratic primary, Gov. JB Pritzker released partial tax records showing $10.3 million in taxable income — including $1.4 million in income from gambling.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Gotta say, I don't love Pritzker "winning" $1.4 million at a casino.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/g...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/15/g...
Broadview (Ill.) Mayor Katrina Thompson on why she's closing ICE protesters' 'safety zone':
“… This past Saturday night, … protests at the ICE facility descended into chaos. There were 15 arrests, and 10 of those arrested were around the ages of my own daughter. … 1/8 🧵
“… This past Saturday night, … protests at the ICE facility descended into chaos. There were 15 arrests, and 10 of those arrested were around the ages of my own daughter. … 1/8 🧵
October 13, 2025 at 7:27 PM
Broadview (Ill.) Mayor Katrina Thompson on why she's closing ICE protesters' 'safety zone':
“… This past Saturday night, … protests at the ICE facility descended into chaos. There were 15 arrests, and 10 of those arrested were around the ages of my own daughter. … 1/8 🧵
“… This past Saturday night, … protests at the ICE facility descended into chaos. There were 15 arrests, and 10 of those arrested were around the ages of my own daughter. … 1/8 🧵
To clarify: No new "free speech zones" are opening. Broadview is closing the one on 25th Street, immediately off of I-290, where many of the protests have been. 1/
October 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM
To clarify: No new "free speech zones" are opening. Broadview is closing the one on 25th Street, immediately off of I-290, where many of the protests have been. 1/
Today's lesson from Broadview: Seems that churches can cross the line to feed state police but not to give Communion to the detained. (Salvation Army is a church.)
It’s dinner time for the police. Appears to be pizza from a Salvation Army van.
Broadview’s “free speech” curfew starts soon, at 6pm.
Broadview’s “free speech” curfew starts soon, at 6pm.
October 11, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Today's lesson from Broadview: Seems that churches can cross the line to feed state police but not to give Communion to the detained. (Salvation Army is a church.)
Scenes from today's (Saturday's) Eucharistic procession to the Broadview ICE facility (different from yesterday's Communion service outside the facility!) 🧵 1/
October 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Scenes from today's (Saturday's) Eucharistic procession to the Broadview ICE facility (different from yesterday's Communion service outside the facility!) 🧵 1/
Reposted by Ted Olsen
I’m not talking about the kind of thing you can photograph or advertise, though goodness knows religious imagery has been a major part of the wave of protest and dissent we’re seeing at the moment. It’s just this background thing that runs alongside everything else that’s going on.
October 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
I’m not talking about the kind of thing you can photograph or advertise, though goodness knows religious imagery has been a major part of the wave of protest and dissent we’re seeing at the moment. It’s just this background thing that runs alongside everything else that’s going on.
Both the article AND thread are worth a read.
Went to church and a bunch of other places with Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson as she navigates an intense chapter in the life of the village and the country as a whole.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/11/r...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/11/r...
Refusing ‘a position of fear,’ Broadview’s mayor deals with ICE and a national spotlight
Broadview, the 2.2 square-mile, majority-Black village, where Katrina Thompson is in her third term as mayor, has become the locus of what she sees as both a spiritual fight and a political battle.
www.chicagotribune.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Both the article AND thread are worth a read.
WOW: 1,300-year-old Byzantine bread! (Not nec. Communion loaf)
“With our gratitude to the Blessed Jesus.”
(This is one of the better stories; other coverage has been awful, calling Jesus the sower a "fertility symbol" and inscription "confirming the Bible.")
greekreporter.com/2025/10/10/b...
“With our gratitude to the Blessed Jesus.”
(This is one of the better stories; other coverage has been awful, calling Jesus the sower a "fertility symbol" and inscription "confirming the Bible.")
greekreporter.com/2025/10/10/b...
1,300-Year-Old Byzantine Bread With Greek Inscription Unearthed in Turkey - GreekReporter.com
Archaeologists in Turkey uncovered Byzantine-era bread with a Greek inscription and image of Christ, revealing deep Hellenic-Christian roots.
greekreporter.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:04 PM
WOW: 1,300-year-old Byzantine bread! (Not nec. Communion loaf)
“With our gratitude to the Blessed Jesus.”
(This is one of the better stories; other coverage has been awful, calling Jesus the sower a "fertility symbol" and inscription "confirming the Bible.")
greekreporter.com/2025/10/10/b...
“With our gratitude to the Blessed Jesus.”
(This is one of the better stories; other coverage has been awful, calling Jesus the sower a "fertility symbol" and inscription "confirming the Bible.")
greekreporter.com/2025/10/10/b...
Scenes from today's Communion service outside the Broadview ICE facility. 🧵
October 10, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Scenes from today's Communion service outside the Broadview ICE facility. 🧵