Cover of the September and October 2018 issue of The Fourth R
The Four Rs of Literacy
Cover of the July and August 2018 issue of The Fourth R
Cover of Volume 31 Issue 2 of The Fourth R
Cover of Issue 31-1 of The Fourth R magazine
Cover of the November December issue of The Fourth R
Cover of the July August issue of The Fourth R
Cover of the May June issue of The Fourth R
Issue cover for The Fourth R 30-2

Being able to read the articles challenges me to grow on my path and reminds me that I'm not alone in my perspective.

Readers say...

The highlight of my daily trip to the mailbox is to find The Fourth R there.

Readers say...

I find The Fourth R stimulating and often eye-opening. I admire the courage of theologians who deal with the findings of biblical studies and also try to reshape Christianity in light of the global community and of natural science...

Readers say...

I really enjoy [The Fourth R] and usually read it cover to cover—it is one of the best benefits of membership.

Readers say...

As retired clergy this is a very good way of keeping up with current scholarship in the field of the Christian Scriptures.

Readers say...

My wife and I usually read an article aloud to one another with our morning coffee.

Readers say...

Along with "Reading, 'Riting and 'Rithmetic," Religion is the fourth "R" of basic literacy. First published in 1987, The Fourth R shares the latest thinking from religion scholars and writers—in non-technical language aimed at a general audience. This popular magazine also includes early reports on Westar seminar deliberations and the latest news about Westar events and programs. Annual subscription to six issues of The Fourth R is included in Westar membership.

Read editorials from current and past issues.

Browse Issues

See a free sample issue (PDF)

Read select articles

Browse index of articles by issue or by author

Purchase Options

Purchase a subscription

Purchase back issues
You will need to know the volume and issue

What's in the Current Issue?

Editorial, Korai 4

Art Dewey

Romans 13 in Our Time

Bernard Brandon Scott

King Jesus (Part One)
An Exploration of the Royal Titling of Jesus

Gordon Raynal

Bamboozled by the Bible
The world’s greatest literary fraud and why it matters

Dominic Kirkham

Jesus in a Bottle
A Sermon

Robert Price

Book Review of Evolving Brains, Emerging Gods by E. Fuller Torrey

Robert J. Miller

Questions about The Fourth R?
Submission Guidelines

The Fourth R - "One of the Best Benefits of Membership"

In a recent membership survey, respondents rated The Fourth R as the top benefit of Westar membership.