Chance the Rapper is the stage name of Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, a Christian rapper from Chicago who has had significant crossover success in the mainstream hip-hop/rap category. His 2016 release “Coloring Book,” with explicitly Christian lyrics and gospel influence, won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. He is represented by Total Management.

Sir the Baptist is the stage name of William James Stokes. He is a “preacher’s kid” from the South Side of Chicago and bills himself as the “Hip Hop Chaplain.” His first album, “Saint or Sinner,” was released in May 2017. Jay Cohen at the Tympa Agency is his manager.

Susan Schreiner is a professor of the history of Christianity and theology at The University of Chicago Divinity School, where she specializes in early modern Europe (14-16th centuries) including the Protestant Reformation, early modern Catholicism, and the Renaissance. She teaches courses on both Luther and John Calvin. Contact via Terren Wein, director of communications.

David Nirenberg is a professor of history at the University of Chicago, where he specializes in medieval Christians, Jews and Muslims. Much of his work has focused on anti-Semitism.

James Thrall is an associate professor of religion and culture at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill. He teaches a course on science fiction and religion, which includes popular culture, film and literature. He can speak about the novel and the television adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle as well as the works […]

Ben Zeller is an associate professor of religion at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill. Much of Zeller’s research has been focused on the intersection of religion and science. He is an expert on so-called UFO religions – religions that incorporate beliefs outsiders would consider science fiction – such as Heaven’s Gate, and other […]

Lincoln United Methodist Church in Chicago is housing an undocumented immigrant. The Rev. Emma Lozano is pastor.

James Hoffmeier is professor of Old Testament and ancient Near Eastern history and archaeology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill. He’s also the author of The Immigration Crisis: Immigrants, Aliens and the Bible.

Jas’ Elsner is a visiting professor of art and religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School, where he studies religion, literature and visual culture. His expertise is in the art of the Roman Empire, the Byzantine Empire and the pre-Christian world.