The relation of the Christ of faith to the Jesus of history is a topic fraught with controversy in theological circles. It also has implications for the way Christian believers understand and practice their faith. We invited Luke Timothy Johnson to reflect on the topic and state his own position, which he did in “The Jesus Controversy,” published in America on Aug. 2. We have asked two biblical scholars with different views, one a Catholic, the other a Protestant, to respond to Professor Johnson’s article. The three articles together give an indication of the scope of current thinking by mainstream scholars. All three articles appear online, where readers can add their own insights, experience and viewpoints. —The Editors

Following the Troubadours

How the historical Jesus tests—and strengthens—our faith

Bernard Brandon Scott

“All art worthy of the name,” Henri Matisse once said, “is religious.”

Hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the floods have made their way to the major cities of Karachi and Lahore.

Remarks from a senior Paksitani official to mark the first anniversary of some of Pakistan’s worst anti-Christian violence.

New Orleans still struggles to rebuild and redefine itself five years after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

The flooding and the suffering continues in Pakistan as aid continues to trickle in to relieve millions of the nation's dislocated.

Sue Krentz is a conflicted woman, coping with the complicated reality of life near the Mexican border.

Clerical sexual abuse has provoked repugnance throughout the church, said a recently appointed Vatican official.

A new U.S. initiative seeks to make some amends for the widespread use of defoliant Agent Orange in Vietnam.