'The Carpenter’s Son' is a unique, low-budget horror film that explores the teenage years of Jesus, blending biblical speculation with supernatural horror, featuring Nicolas Cage as Joseph and FKA Twigs as Mary, set against a dark, atmospheric backdrop in Greece, offering a fresh and unconventional take on religious storytelling.
Pope Leo's office issued a decree rejecting the title of 'co-redemptrix' for Mary, affirming that Jesus alone is the Savior and emphasizing her role as the mother of the Redeemer, to prevent confusion about the exclusive role of Christ in salvation.
Mel Gibson's upcoming film 'The Resurrection of the Christ' has recast its main roles, with Jaakko Ohtonen replacing Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Mariela Garriga taking on Mary Magdalene, as the film prepares to be released in two parts in 2027, focusing on Jesus Christ's resurrection.
Pope Leo urged French Christian politicians to turn to Jesus for guidance, emphasizing that true societal change requires living out Christian faith and values rooted in Christ, especially in a society where Christianity is marginalized. He encouraged them to deepen their understanding of social doctrine and to witness their faith in their public duties to build a more just and humane world.
Biblical scholar Paula Fredriksen criticizes left-wing politicians and media figures, including AOC, for claiming Jesus was Palestinian, calling it historically false and inflammatory. She points out that Bethlehem has been under Palestinian rule for decades and that modern-day Gaza is hostile to Christians. Fredriksen argues that the term "Palestine" derived from Rome a century after Christ's death, and appropriating Jesus as Palestinian to attack Israel is an act of cultural and political appropriation. She emphasizes that this narrative rips Jesus out of his Jewish context and stokes hate against Jews, while also slamming it as polemic masquerading as history.
Historian Paula Fredriksen rebukes liberal figures for portraying Jesus as a Palestinian, arguing that it is historically false and inflammatory. She points out that Bethlehem has been under Palestinian rule since 1995 and that modern-day Gaza is hostile to Christians. Fredriksen criticizes the attempt to appropriate Jesus as a Palestinian to attack Israel, stating that it rips Jesus out of his Jewish context and perpetuates hate against Jews. She also refutes claims made by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Catholic priest Father Edward Beck, emphasizing the importance of historical accuracy and context in discussions about Jesus and the Holy Land.
The question of Jesus' skin color is gaining significance, with many scholars suggesting he was likely a brown-skinned, brown-eyed man, challenging traditional depictions of a White Jesus. The debate over Jesus' color is relevant due to a movement to replace the White Jesus in churches and the association of White Christian nationalism with the traditional image. Some argue that Jesus' color matters for historical and social justice reasons, while others believe his message transcends physical appearance. The discussion reflects a broader societal conversation about race, identity, and the portrayal of historical figures.
Facebook is inundated with bizarre AI-generated images, including depictions of Jesus and flight attendants, garnering millions of engagements and leaving users amused, befuddled, and wary of potential scams. The images, often lacking systematic labeling, have raised concerns about the spread of misleading content and disinformation. A Stanford study found that some of the images were posted from hijacked Facebook pages and may be used to bait gullible users for potential scam targets. The phenomenon has also led to suspicions of AI-generated content being used for spam and scam activities, with some users receiving suspicious replies from newly created accounts.
Season 4 of "The Chosen" is premiering in movie theaters, featuring significant biblical events like the death of John the Baptist and the raising of Lazarus. The series creator, Dallas Jenkins, believes these moments are best experienced with a crowd on the big screen. The season will be available for streaming before June, following the theatrical run. The premiere explores plausible scenarios around Salome's dance, and features emotional deaths, including that of fan-favorite character Ramah, which impacts the storyline.
"The Chosen" releases a new trailer for season four, promising intense conflict and the return of beloved characters, including Jesus and Gaius. The show's creator, Dallas Jenkins, is praised for his ability to deeply connect viewers to all characters. The first three episodes are currently available in theaters and will be accessible on streaming platforms soon.
A poster in Seville depicting a young, handsome Jesus has sparked controversy, with some criticizing it as inappropriate and others defending it as contemporary sacred art. The artist, Salustiano García Cruz, used his son as the model and dismissed critics as old-fashioned, stating that the elements used in the painting have been present in sacred art for centuries. The General Council of Brotherhoods, which commissioned the poster, has ignored calls to replace it before Holy Week, while the mayor of Seville labeled the controversy as "artificial."
Senate negotiators reach a breakthrough on tougher immigration and asylum laws, with a three-pronged approach to address chaos at the border; Biden plans a risky counterattack against Iran following a deadly drone strike by Iranian-backed militants; controversy erupts over a "sexualized" illustration of Jesus by an artist in Spain; about 64 million Americans are genetically predisposed to high levels of a potentially deadly cholesterol called Lp(a); a group of women in Pennsylvania who support abortion rights and backed Trump in the last election don't see their views on abortion as a barrier to voting for him again.
A poster of Jesus created to promote Easter week festivities in Seville has sparked controversy in Spain and on social media, with some conservatives criticizing the image as "sexualized and effeminate," while others defended the artist's vision. The artist, Salustiano García, defended his portrayal of Jesus as "gentle, elegant and beautiful," while critics called for the poster's removal and the resignation of the president of the Council of Brotherhoods. The debate has also sparked discussions about homophobia and racism in relation to the controversy.
During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis emphasized that Jesus is our constant source of joy and our faithful friend who accompanies us on our journey. He highlighted the importance of proclaiming Jesus with joy and emphasized that encountering Jesus brings true joy and transformation. The Pope encouraged believers to reflect on the presence of Jesus within them and to seek daily encounters with Him, acknowledging Him as a person and a companion.
The Pool of Siloam in Jerusalem, a Biblical site where Jesus is said to have healed a blind man, will open to the public for the first time in 2,000 years. Archeologists are currently excavating the site, which is expected to take several years. Newly released images show archeologists working on uncovering the pool's steps. The Pool of Siloam, built around 2,700 years ago, served as a reservoir for the Gihon Spring and is cherished by Christians and Jews.