The Sydney Morning Herald logo
The Sydney Morning Herald logo
Advertisement
Barney Zwartz

Barney Zwartz

Barney Zwartz, a senior fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity, was religion editor of The Age from 2002 to 2013.

Pope Leo

Pontiff’s plea for compassion puts humanity first as AI reshapes world

Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical on artificial intelligence shows that, in him, ordinary people do have a champion.

  • Barney Zwartz

Latest

Jesus himself left us the words with which to petition God.

On Jesus’ wings and his prayer

Among the many gifts Jesus left us, one stands pre-eminent: his prayer, the Lord’s Prayer.

  • Barney Zwartz
The cross was a sign of humiliation before the might of Caesar; it became a symbol of love.

The eternal life, right here, right now

Easter is about redemption – a complex topic, taking in the act of saving, or freeing, or getting something or someone back (from slavery, for example).

  • Barney Zwartz
Edvard Munch’s The Scream expresses angst – as does the dog.

In the Bible, God can hear you scream

The Bible is very clear-eyed about the matter of human suffering; at the same time, it offers answers to despair.

  • Barney Zwartz
Christianity began in persecution, and Christians are the most persecuted believers today – 160.000 killed in Nigeria alone in the past 15 years.

Persecution peaks, and Christians are most at risk

Being a Christian can be deadly, while persecuted Muslims are most likely oppressed by fellow Muslims.

  • Barney Zwartz
Flowers at the scene of the Bondi massacre, which raises theological questions about evil – and displayed the finest human characteristics in the actions of those who responded.

The age-old question raised by horrific Bondi massacre

There is no all-encompassing answer or no simple truth to this question.

  • Barney Zwartz
Advertisement
Sharing a meal at Christmas is the key to connection.

The essence of Christmas: Welcome stranger

Christmas is many things, and it revolves around the Christmas lunch, which harks back to the religious imperative to serve, share and welcome the stranger.

  • Barney Zwartz
The Bible – there’s an app for that.

World bestseller downloaded 1 billion times

An idle moment standing in a queue has led to a worldwide publishing phenomenon.

  • Barney Zwartz
Teddy Swims performs at Rod Laver Arena, October 22, 2025..

Rod Laver Arena can barely contain the theatrics of Teddy Swims

The star performer is enchanting, even when rising from a trapdoor on a toilet throne, signing a roll and tossing it into the audience.

  • Kosa Monteith, Jessica Nicholas, Cameron Woodhead, Barney Zwartz and Andrew Fuhrmann
Faith column

Atheists do not understand what faith actually involves

Convinced atheists might be surprised to know that the God in whom they do not believe is one Christians also do not accept.

  • Barney Zwartz