art
Filmmaker explores Hebrew word through 100-year-old animation technique
By Jonathan Merritt — September 23, 2015
Sarah Martin uses a 100-year old animation technique to breathe new life into the Hebrew word for "spirit."
Christian moviemakers opt for black cast after glut of whitewashed Bible films
By Jonathan Merritt — August 12, 2015
The movie industry has a long history of casting white actors to play African and Middle Eastern Bible characters. But religious audiences can witness a stark departure from this trend when Sony's “War Room” hits theaters on August 28.
Carl Lentz on how Hillsong Church is becoming ‘gay welcoming’ without compromising their convictions
By Jonathan Merritt — August 10, 2015
Hillsong Church says they are a "gay welcoming" congregation, even though they are not gay affirming. Hillsong pastor Carl Lents explains how they are attempting to think through and navigate this difficult issue.
Why Survivor’s ‘Broadway Boyfriends’ will keep singing with Hillsong Church
By Jonathan Merritt — August 10, 2015
The church says the gay celebrities can’t serve as leaders and don’t support their ‘lifestyle.’ But Josh Canfield and Reed Kelly aren’t going anywhere. It's a love story.
Milwaukee museum to display portrait of Pope Benedict made of condoms
By Reuters — June 30, 2015
MILWAUKEE (Reuters) The Milwaukee Art Museum says it hopes a portrait of Pope Benedict XVI made of condoms will ignite a conversation about the AIDS epidemic in Africa and the role art plays in public discussions.
Meet the gay celibate Catholic who’s shaking up the sexuality debates
By Jonathan Merritt — May 6, 2015
Eve Tushnet is a popular blogger and author of "Gay and Christian." But is she missing something about the uniqueness and importance of erotic intimacy?
Why a Muslim actor plays Jesus in Bill O’Reilly’s ‘Killing Jesus’ TV special
By Jonathan Merritt — March 23, 2015
Ridley Scott said he couldn't make a film starring "Mohammad so-and-so from such-and-such." But when his adaptation of "Killing Jesus" debuts this week, a Lebanese-born Muslim will star as Jesus.
This filmmaker set out to win Sundance and got ‘saved’ instead
By Jonathan Merritt — February 20, 2015
"When I started, I was using these people in Korea to fulfill my aspirations to go to Sundance, but I found something much great" says Brian Ivie, director of "The DropBox." His critically-acclaimed movie has made him a major player in a burgeoning faith film industry.
10 inaccuracies plaguing the ‘Exodus’ movie
By Jonathan Merritt — December 19, 2014
Ridley Scott's epic film deviates from the biblical narrative in at least these 10 places.
‘Exodus’ underwhelms at box office. Did #BoycottExodusMovie work?
By Jonathan Merritt — December 15, 2014
On CNN, RNS' Jonathan Merritt discusses Exodus' race problem, which he believes may have contributed to its underwhelming opening weekend.
Christian Bale and Ridley Scott talk religion and ‘Exodus’: An RNS interview
By Jonathan Merritt — December 10, 2014
"Exodus" director and lead actor discuss concerns religious moviegoers will undoubtedly have about some of the film's more controversial moments.
3 religious hurdles Ridley Scott’s ‘Exodus’ must overcome
By Jonathan Merritt — December 9, 2014
The big budget Bible film hits American theaters on Friday, but it faces a few significant hurdles to winning over religious audiences.
Were some Catholic saints transgender? Berkeley show raises eyebrows
By Kimberly Winston — November 6, 2014
(RNS) An exhibit in Berkeley, Calif., questions the gender of popular female Catholic saints, affording artist Alma Lopez a chance to ask viewers what is feminine, what is masculine, and is there something holy in the mashup.
Christian musician Jennifer Knapp on sexuality and which lyric she wants to take back
By Jonathan Merritt — October 9, 2014
The one time Grammy nominee and lesbian has walked into the furnace again with a new album and tell-all memoir. She talks about sexuality, scrutiny and why she wishes she could take back a lyric in one of her songs.
Is U2 secretly Christian? Here’s what The New Yorker missed
By Jonathan Merritt — September 18, 2014
If U2’s faith is a secret, like a writer for The New Yorker asserted, it is one of the worst kept ones in the global music industry today.