Arts & Culture

DMX was my John the Forerunner
(RNS) — DMX pointed me to Jesus not through a sermon or a Bible study, but through his bold faith that didn’t paper over his flaws.

I love all Jews — even the ones I don’t like

Marketing ploy or sacred art? Bible publishers appeal to millennials with focus on design

Justin Bieber’s Easter surprise EP, ‘Freedom,’ adds to his Jesus-filled chapter
(RNS) — Justin Bieber’s latest recording is his most explicitly religious project to date.

Church faces backlash for showing Mass at a cinema, as Italy faces severe lockdown
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The case highlights growing tensions between Italians and the Catholic Church, which critics say has been granted more leeway while the weary peninsula faces another severe lockdown more than a year into the pandemic.

Harry Connick Jr., bunkered for the pandemic, emerges with ‘Alone With My Faith’
(RNS) — While it’s reverent, the album is anything but churchy.

Why ‘Shtisel’ matters
(RNS) — ‘Shtisel’ is more than great entertainment. It is great literature.

Lil Nas X is inviting the Black church in with ‘Montero’
(RNS) — ‘Montero’ is the anthem of a Black gay man roaring back from years of self-hate caused by anti-LGBTQ+ theologies. As a queer child of the Black church, it’s an anthem that resonates with me.

Gospel singer Donnie McClurkin speaks of mateless future, says he’s ‘got joy’
(RNS) — McClurkin told TV One of ‘We Fall Down,’ a song whose lyrics continue, ‘but we get up’: ‘I was singing it because it related to me.’

10 nonfiction books (and one novel) to keep Women’s History Month going all year
(RNS) — Here are 10 new nonfiction books, both forthcoming and released in the last year, that explore women’s roles and influence in Christian traditions — plus, one bonus work of fiction.

After being detained in China, one LA resident began a Uyghur restaurant to educate through food
ALHAMBRA, Calif. (RNS) — A large mural depicting Uyghur culture sits above an outside dining area with the ready-made social-media hashtag #GoogleUyghurs in one corner.

Progressive Christian author Jen Hatmaker cancels cancel culture in new book ‘Simple & Free’
(RNS) — ‘Simple & Free: 7 Experiments Against Excess’ releases March 23, and Hatmaker hopes it will not only show how she has changed, but also free readers to do the same.

Bieber samples King’s sermons, supports Poor People’s Campaign with new album ‘Justice’
(RNS) — Some songs — like the album’s first single ‘Holy,’ a collaboration with Chance the Rapper — toe the line of songs with lyrics that might be about loving God or might be about loving a girl.

Insta-Famous: Nadirah Pierre’s satire draws on the Black Muslim experience
(RNS) — Relationships, marriage, body positivism, hijab — they’re all fair game for the Haitian American’s outspoken style and bold videos.

Riz Ahmed first Muslim nominated for Best Actor Oscar
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Ahmed’s nomination comes for his turn in ‘Sound of Metal’ as a drummer in a heavy-metal duo who grapples with increased hearing loss.