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        <title>Christian Today | Culture</title>
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                <title><![CDATA[Backlash over Meryl Streep casting as Aslan in 'The Magician's Nephew']]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/backlash-against-meryl-streep-casting-as-aslan-in-the-magician-s-nephew</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/backlash-against-meryl-streep-casting-as-aslan-in-the-magician-s-nephew</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Jon Brown]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Aslan]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Disney/Screenshot ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 09:10:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA["It's an act of creative vandalism pretending to be artistic sophistication. It's more ideological slop produced by the machine that's given us plenty already," said one Texas pastor.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Confirmation that actress Meryl Streep will voice Aslan in the upcoming Netflix adaptation of C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew has prompted backlash from some who claim it's an affront to the classic Christian allegory.
"I wanted someone who was profound but not pretentious, who had gravitas but not morose self-seriousness. Someone who could communicate depth and pathos as well as joy and delight," director Greta Gerwig told Empire of Streep's casting as the Christ-like lion who sacrificed himself to save a sinner in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
"I wanted someone who was older than 70, so there was a wisdom of experience, but who also had the capacity of fresh wonder, like a child. And also to be one of the greatest actors to ever do it. That list is not a long one," added Gerwig, who also directed Barbie and whose first installment in the multi-film Narnia series is slated for release next February.
Though written later, The Magician's Nephew is chronologically the first of the Narnia books and tells the story of Aslan creating the world of Narnia and an evil witch gaining access to it through the prideful incompetence of an occult dabbler.
The reaction from Christians on social media to news of Aslan's new gender was overwhelmingly negative, with some mocking the character as "Translan" and predicting the film will be another ideological attack from Hollywood against Jesus Christ that will flop.
Lutheran commentator and podcaster Liam McCollum said that Lewis "would’ve hated Gerwig’s deconstruction and subversion of Aslan." He noted the irony that Lewis wrote about an Aslan impostor in the last book of the Narnia series.
"[Lewis] literally wrote about a similar moral affront - in Narnia. In The Last Battle, King Tirian expresses fear about a counterfeit Aslan: 'Would it not be better to be dead than to have this horrible fear that Aslan has come and is not like the Aslan we have believed in and longed for? It is as if the sun rose one day and were a black sun,'" he wrote.
"You can guarantee Gerwig’s 'Aslan' will represent the present cultural milieu and Current Thing and will be a secular message about gender equity or something. Gerwig is likely summoning her own feminist god in Aslan's place instead of representing the Christian worldview," he added.
L. David Fairchild, pastor of Cross and Crown in Waxahachie, Texas, called Streep's casting "astonishingly arrogant."
"Giving Aslan a female voice isn't daring or profound or some brilliant act of creative genius. It's an act of creative vandalism pretending to be artistic sophistication. It's more ideological slop produced by the machine that's given us plenty already," he said.
"Gerwig was handed one of the most beloved works of Christian fiction in 20th century, and decided that even the central figure needed her brilliant editorial correction. Her arrogance has turned a potentially great movie into her ideological vanity project, and it will cost the studio," he added.
"In case there's ANY confusion, CS Lewis literally intended Aslan to be the incarnation of Christ inside the world of Narnia," said political commentator Isabel Brown. "When Lucy and Edmund learn they cannot return to Narnia again, Aslan comforts them by saying they'll know him again in their own world: 'There I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name.'"
"Aslan is more than an allegory for Christ, he *is* how the creatures of Narnia experience Christ in their world just as we experience Jesus Christ as an incarnate MAN in ours. To cast Meryl Streep as Aslan in Greta Gerwig's Narnia is a slap in the face to the genius of Lewis, but also a deliberate mockery of Christianity that is 100% intentional. So deeply disappointing," she added.
Lewis was outspoken during his life that Aslan was not a mere allegory for Christ, but rather Christ as He would incarnate in a world like Narnia. When a mother wrote to him because she was concerned that her son, Laurence, had come to love Aslan more than Jesus, the author comforted her by noting he "can't really love Aslan more than Jesus, even if he feels that's what he is doing."
"For the things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply the things Jesus really did and said. So that when Laurence thinks he is loving Aslan, he is really loving Jesus: and perhaps loving Him more than he ever did before," Lewis wrote.
Gerwig, who grew up as a Unitarian Universalist, has also said that she envisions her adaptation of The Magician's Nephew to be "a rock opera," claiming, "David Bowie saved my life. Paul McCartney saved my life. David Gilmour saved my life. Pete Townshend saved my life. Jimmy Page, Robert Plant ... Narnia is literally a world made out of music. It is a world sung to life by Aslan."
In a 2018 interview, Gerwig said she feels "uncomfortable around 'Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior stuff,' I find that creepy, but I go to church every Sunday." She also noted that she appreciates prayers to the Virgin Mary because "it feels like this 'God the Father' thing is a bit alienating for me."
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Nashville team uses AI to convert whole Bible into musical form]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/nashville-team-uses-ai-to-convert-whole-bible-into-musical-form</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/nashville-team-uses-ai-to-convert-whole-bible-into-musical-form</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/85/98561.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Bible, Christianity, Bible study]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 21 Sep 2026 08:39:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[You can now listen to the whole Bible in musical form while you do your exercise.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
A team of 70 people based in Nashville has used AI to convert the entire Bible into musical form.
The project began when 28-year-old Micah Fiechter was asked by his father, a pastor, to turn a single Bible chapter into music for a sermon. However, things didn’t stop there and Fiechter proceeded to assemble a team and do the same for the entire Bible across a multitude of genres.
After around a year of work it is now possible to listen to the entire Bible in a range of different musical styles via a new app known as the Music Bible. In total there are 11 different genres to pick from, each one covering the complete text of the Bible from beginning to end.
It is this faithfulness to scripture that has been emphasised by the team behind the project. Whether it’s country, hip-hop, jazz, pop, rock or even “workout” music, the key point is that not one word of scripture has been changed.
In addition to 11 genres in English, the app also features three genres available in Spanish. More versions are currently in the works.
Speaking about the project, Fiechter said that the hip-hop version appeared to be the most intriguing for users.
He hopes the platform will provide a way for people to not only hear the Word of God, but retain it. 
“The Bible was never meant to sit quietly on a shelf. It was meant to be heard. If someone can memorize the lyrics to a pop song, why shouldn’t they be able to memorize Scripture the same way?" he said.
"I don’t want people to remember Music Bible, I want them to remember the Bible.”
Fiechter takes inspiration from William Tyndale who pioneered the translation of the Bible into English.
Having begun with AI, plans are afoot for the Music Bible to eventually include the work of real musicians. Michael Blanton, the man behind artists like Amy Grant, Michael W Smith and Rich Mullins, has joined Music Bible as executive producer.
Blanton said, “I believe Music Bible has the potential to become one of the biggest developments in the music industry’s history, not only showing the creative power of AI for Bible engagement but launching a new wave of artists recording verse-by-verse Scripture songs.
“I’ve spent my career launching recording artists and tours. Music Bible may be the most significant project yet given its global impact and worldwide potential.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Christian publisher celebrates 'extraordinary year' after scooping Publisher of the Year award]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christian-publisher-celebrates-extraordinary-year-after-scooping-publisher-of-the-year-award</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/christian-publisher-celebrates-extraordinary-year-after-scooping-publisher-of-the-year-award</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/91/99153.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[SPCK]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Fri, 18 Sep 2026 22:23:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[SPCK has expanded considerably in the last decade or so.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian publisher SPCK is celebrating “an extraordinary year” after being declared Publisher of the Year at the Christian Resources Together Awards 2026.
The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge also saw a number of its titles pick up accolades at the event. Staying Faithful, by Traitors winner Harry Clark won Audiobook of the Year, All The Times You Were Not There by Emma Fowle picked up the Biography of the Year award, and God, AI and The End of History by John Lennox was recognised as the Christian Life Book of the Year.
SPCK has a history dating back to 1698 and in the last decade or so has seen significant expansion. In 2015 it merged with Inter-Varsity Press. In 2021 the group became Britain’s largest Christian publisher, following its acquisition of Lion Hudson.
Earlier this month SPCK acquired US based publisher William B Eerdmans, making it “the world’s leading independent Christian publisher of theology, biblical studies, and Christian trade”. 
Sam Richardson, CEO of SPCK Group, said, “Being named Publisher of the Year is a huge moment for SPCK Group. It recognises an extraordinary year for our authors and our team — a year in which we’ve grown, reached new audiences and seen books about Christian faith become part of much bigger cultural conversations.
“That is what we want SPCK Group to be doing: publishing books that engage seriously with the world we live in, strengthen and equip Christian readers around the globe, and bring light and truth to some of the most difficult questions of our time.”
Richardson also praised the award-winning books and their authors as “exceptional".
“These awards belong to our authors and to the remarkable people across SPCK who champion their work, and to the booksellers and bookstores who put these books into readers’ hands and help them find their audience," said Richardson.
"We’re deeply grateful for the role they play in bringing important books into communities and conversations across the country.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[First Cornish musical setting of the Eucharist receives cultural award]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/first-cornish-musical-setting-of-the-eucharist-receives-cultural-award</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/first-cornish-musical-setting-of-the-eucharist-receives-cultural-award</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Neil Rees]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Cornwall]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 05 Sep 2026 10:51:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Cornish People’s Mass, a Eucharistic service entirely in the Cornish language, has been recognised with a prestigious award for its cultural significance. This is the story …]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
The Cornish People’s Mass, a Eucharistic service entirely in the Cornish language, has been recognised with a prestigious award for its cultural significance. This is the story …
Cornish language service
Cornish – called Kernewek by its speakers – is the ancient native language of Cornwall, a region in the far southwest of Britain. It is a Celtic language related to Welsh and more closely linked to the Breton language spoken in parts of Brittany.
In the pre-Reformation period, when Cornish was widely spoken across Cornwall, the Mass would have been said in church Latin. When the Church of England was created, services went from Latin to English, at a time when many people still only knew Cornish.
Unlike in Wales, where the Prayer Book and Bible were translated into Welsh, this never happened in Cornish, and many people feel that, had the Bible been available in Cornish, it would have helped to save the language, as it did in Wales.
The Cornish language never quite went extinct, but as the language was dying out in the Victorian era, people sought to save it before it was forgotten and a revival began. Today, the main language of Cornwall is English, but a growing army of enthusiasts maintain the revived Cornish language, and Cornish is now recognised as a British minority language.
A new sung liturgical Eucharist (sometimes called the Mass) setting has now been produced in Cornish for the first time. This was celebrated at the Anglican Truro Cathedral on 3 June 2026. Over a hundred people from all over Cornwall attended, including Cornish speakers and people who recognised the significance of the occasion for the Cornish language and culture.
It was an immensely moving event. One woman remarked that she came expecting it to be a bit of a performance, but that it was in fact deeply prayerful and spiritual. The service was also streamed live and can be watched on YouTube.
A People’s Mass
The idea for a Cornish People’s Mass came from the poet Tim Saunders, based on an Irish People’s Mass, ‘Ceol an Aifrinn’, which uses elements and styles of Irish folk music.
Saunders floated the idea with the Rev Canon Jane Kneebone, an Anglican vicar who leads services in English but also arranges and leads services in Cornish throughout the year. She was inspired by the idea and commissioned folk singer, writer, storyteller and researcher Mike O’Connor to compose the People’s Mass.
The idea of a People’s Mass is that it is something anyone can sing, and this one would be based on a folk-song style and sung in unison. O'Connor agreed and, as a Christian himself, immediately understood the vision.
Kneebone then worked with Rev Ross Crichton, a Latin specialist and Scots Gaelic and Cornish speaker, to produce a faithful Cornish translation of the text from the original Latin source. After extensive research into early liturgical music in Cornwall, O’Connor composed a setting based on Cornish folk and psalm tunes.
The result is beautiful, and the music and words fitted together perfectly, with little amendment needed. As Mike commented, in his experience, ‘composition by committee’ never works, but this time it did.
Once the Mass was drafted, extensive checking took place by Kneebone, Crichton and Wella Morris, another Cornish scholar, until all were satisfied that the text, both musical and liturgical, was correct.
The setting was named ‘Oferen an Dasserghyans’ (Cornish for ‘Mass of the Resurrection’). This refers to Christ’s Resurrection, but ‘dasserghyans’ is also the word used in Cornish for the revival of the language, so it seemed doubly appropriate.
Launched in Truro Cathedral
Jane Kneebone contacted Truro Cathedral, which is the cathedral for the Anglican Diocese of Truro and the seat of the Bishop of Truro. It has been the Cathedral’s custom for some time to hold two Eucharists a year in Cornish, one sung with the Cathedral choir and one spoken.
They were genuinely excited about the project, and preparations began for a launch on the Eve of St Petroc’s Day, 3 June 2026. St Petroc is one of the great Cornish saints who helped to spread Celtic Christianity in Devon and Cornwall in the sixth century and is highly honoured in both Cornwall and Devon.
O’Connor prepared the text of the Oferen (Eucharist) for publication through Amazon. It is copyright-free and available to any church that wants to use it.
A rehearsal was held in a parish church the night before, and a full public rehearsal was held with the Cathedral’s Director of Music, James Anderson-Bezant, and the choir. It sounded wonderful and was very emotional for those involved.
Truro Cathedral livestreamed the service through its feed. It was a genuinely great occasion – deeply joyous, spiritual and life-affirming.
The service will be held again at Truro Cathedral on St Piran’s Day (5 March). St Piran is the patron saint of Cornwall, but the service is available to any parish church in Cornwall that would like to worship God in Holy Communion in Cornish and with culturally appropriate music.
Grand Bard’s Award
Every year, a gathering of Cornish bards called Gorsedh Kernow meets and honours people who support Cornish culture. Gorsedh Kernow has been incredibly supportive, recognising that this occasion was a milestone not just for Cornish Christianity, but also for the culture and the language.
The Grand Bard and Deputy Grand Bard both attended the service, marking the importance of the writing of the Oferen for Cornwall.
As a result, the Grand Bard, Jenefer Lowe, awarded the group behind the service her Grand Bard’s Award for 2026. The award was presented at the Gorsedh Annual Awards Ceremony in Bodmin, ahead of the main Gorsedh Ceremony on 4 September, which formed part of the Esedhvos Festival.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[God is ‘at work’ among heavy metal fans at Download]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/god-is-at-work-among-heavy-metal-fans-at-download</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/god-is-at-work-among-heavy-metal-fans-at-download</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/91/99116.jpg">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[A festival chaplain at Download.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Baptists Together) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ A festival chaplain at Download. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Tue, 01 Sep 2026 15:22:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Some festivalgoers have subsequently joined churches after encountering chaplains.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
This year’s Download music festival was attended by up to 90,000 people – and by 45 chaplains.
The rock and heavy metal event is perhaps better known for the presence of well-aged bands like Guns & Roses, Limp Bizkit and Linkin Park. However, even here God is “at work”, in the words of one of the chaplains.
The chaplains came from a range of denominations, including the Church of England and the Baptist Union of Great Britain.
One of the chaplains, Rev Roy Monks from the Baptist Castle Donnington Community Church told The Baptist Times that they were always “well received” by visitors to Download.
While the festival has been held almost every year since 2003, it’s only been in the last six years that chaplains have been in regular attendance.
Rev Monks said, “Many engage us openly as they see us walking around the site in our chaplaincy high vis vests, while we get the opportunity to help some of them practically, such as directions to where some things are located, and we have been a strong support to some in getting medical help.”
In addition to dealing with such practical matters, the chaplains also hosted a communion service during the festival and have a team of people on hand to pray for matters as they arise.  Rev Monks added, “God is certainly at work in this place. The conversations we have are many and varied but it’s clear to all of us that many are seeking … We had many amazing encounters.”He told The Baptist Times that the chaplaincy team got a real boost when two people they had prayed for last year came back to thank them after they had gone on to find a church and be baptised.  Meeting the chaplaincy team again at this year’s festival, they even offered to help out at next year’s event. 
Plans are now afoot for the chaplains to attend a smaller series of raves in Derby.
“We feel God has opened a door to these places because his heart is moved by the issues and the deep searching so many seem to have,” said Rev Monks.
“If anyone is interested in joining us and feels this could be their ministry we would be happy to hear from you.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[‘Shout to the Lord’ songwriter Darlene Zschech says the Church is entering ‘revival days again’]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/shout-to-the-lord-songwriter-darlene-zschech-says-the-church-is-entering-revival-days-again</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/shout-to-the-lord-songwriter-darlene-zschech-says-the-church-is-entering-revival-days-again</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Darlene Zschech is leaving Hillsong after 25 years.]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Darlene Zschech is leaving Hillsong after 25 years. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 30 Aug 2026 08:51:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Veteran worship leader Darlene Zschech believes the Church is once again entering a season in which God is moving powerfully and new expressions of worship are emerging.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Veteran worship leader Darlene Zschech believes the Church is once again entering a season in which God is moving powerfully and new expressions of worship are emerging.
The Australian singer and songwriter, formerly of Hillsong, reflected on the relationship between worship and revival during an interview with Crosswalk Talk’s Michael Foust.
Looking back at earlier periods of revival and comparing them with what she sees happening today, Zschech said she believes the Church is living in “revival days again”.
“The new song has always coexisted with a fresh revival on the Earth, wherever it was,” she said. “It was always a new song that accompanied historical revivals, and we’re there again.”
She is encouraged by a new generation of Christian songwriters emerging within the Church and urges them to build upon the foundations laid by those who came before them.
“Seriously, I’m in awe of some of these songwriters now that are picking up these new frequencies, but their job is still the same,” she said.
“When we’re creating worship for the church, we’re not trying to be clever, we’re trying to release something out of people.”
Zschech said she wanted younger worship leaders and songwriters to “get on our shoulders and go as high and as wide as you can”, adding that she found the current season “so exciting”.
Her reflections came as she discussed ‘The House of Worship,’ a new film bringing together influential worship artists and looking back over 25 years of songs that have shaped contemporary Christian worship.
Zschech recalled experiencing what she now recognises as revival during the formative years of the modern worship movement in Australia, when worship services would frequently lead directly into calls for people to respond to the Gospel.
“We were living in revival days,” she said. “We’d lead worship, and rather than, you know, polite clap and someone walks up and preaches, [we’d] lead worship and someone would do an altar call, and just heaps of people would come and get saved.”
Although acknowledging there was “some messiness later”, Zschech said those years had a profound impact on her own faith and the community around her and that she “wouldn’t be sitting here today … without those days, where God really shaped us as a community of faith”. 
“He shaped us as a community of worship, leaders of worship, musicians, production, writers. We were being formed and forged together.”
She said one of the blessings of that period was that those involved were largely unknown outside their own circles, allowing their spiritual foundations to develop away from wider attention.
“It was like God hid us for a season while the roots went down deep,” she said. “And I’m so thankful for those days.”
During the interview, Zschech also reflected on the unlikely beginnings of “Shout to the Lord”, one of the most popular contemporary worship songs in the world.
She wrote the song during a difficult period in her family’s life, when she and her husband were raising two young children and struggling financially. Their business was not doing well and Zschech was singing advertising jingles to help bring in money.
Against that backdrop, she sat down at her piano one day and began pouring out her heart to God. The song came together in around 20 minutes.
“I just sang it, and I sang it, and I sang it, and it was just a prayer to the Lord,” she said.
At the time, Zschech lacked confidence in her songwriting and initially did not show it to her church’s worship pastor.
When she eventually played it for him, she was so embarrassed that she asked him to turn his back while she sang and kept offering to change parts, fearing they were not good enough. By the time she finished, the worship pastor had tears in his eyes and told her the church would sing it that weekend.
A visiting minister told her that day that the song would quickly travel around the world, a prediction she initially struggled to comprehend.
What followed was particularly meaningful to Zschech because it happened before social media and today’s opportunities for musicians to promote their work internationally.
“It was a miracle of God,” she said. “There was no kind of master plan, and I really liked that, because none of us can take credit for it.”
She recalled beginning to receive letters from people around the world and wondering how they had even encountered the song.
“God took this song and just breathed on it,” she said. “When God wants something out there, He can do it.”
More than three decades later, Zschech said she remains humbled when she hears congregations singing songs she has written, often becoming so absorbed in worship that she forgets she wrote them.
Looking ahead, Mrs Zschech said she believes worship will continue to have an important place in what she sees as an emerging spiritual awakening.
“I think we’re on the brink of something so magnificent,” she said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Dolly Parton’s lifelong Christian faith: ‘My music was more my ministry than a job’]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/dolly-partons-lifelong-christian-faith-my-music-was-more-my-ministry-than-a-job</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/dolly-partons-lifelong-christian-faith-my-music-was-more-my-ministry-than-a-job</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
                                                                                                                            <media:content  url="https://www.christiantoday.com/media/original/img/9/91/99119.png">
                            <media:title><![CDATA[Dolly Parton]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Instagram/DollyParton) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 09:40:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Country music legend Dolly Parton, who has died at the age of 80, was known around the world for songs including ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’, but behind her decades-long career was a Christian faith that she frequently described as central to her life.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Country music legend Dolly Parton, who has died at the age of 80, was known around the world for songs including ‘Jolene’, ‘9 to 5’ and ‘I Will Always Love You’, but behind her decades-long career was a Christian faith that she frequently described as central to her life.
Parton died peacefully in Nashville on August 25, according to her family, bringing to an end a career that spanned more than six decades and made her one of the most recognisable figures in country music.
Born in rural Tennessee in 1946 as one of 12 children, she was raised in a deeply religious family. Her maternal grandfather, Rev Jake Owens, was a Pentecostal preacher, and church formed an important part of her childhood, with the future country star singing publicly from an early age.
Her faith remained with her as her career took her far beyond the Tennessee mountains.
In a 2017 interview with CBN News, she described Christianity as a guiding influence on her work and the decisions she made.
“My faith has always been so important to me,” she said. “I grew up in a very religious family, my grandpa was a preacher, I'm not religious as much as I am spiritual.”
Prayer was a big part of her life. 
“I pray every day. I pray about everything,” she continued. “I ask God to lead me and guide me in all the decisions I make - and to bring all the good and right people into my life and to let me do something to glorify God and uplift mankind.”
In a 2020 interview with ‘Marie Claire’, Parton revealed that she often rose at around 3am and spent some of the quietest hours of the morning writing and doing what she called her “spiritual work”.
Parton also believed there was a spiritual dimension to the warmth and connection that audiences found in her.
When ‘Vogue’ asked her in 2016 what she thought people saw in her, she replied: “I really like to think it’s God spark.”
She continued: “I really do ask God every single day to let me do something, say something, be something that matters to somebody else. To make somebody feel good. To let people see a spark of love. God is love, that’s the scripture. I remember believing in my childhood that through God all things are possible. 
“I’m not a religious person. I’m a sinner like everybody else. But I do believe that there is something greater. I try to find the good. All those good Christian people who have something to say about everybody, I think: Well, where’s your religion? You’re taught not to judge, and you’re supposed to love your neighbour like yourself. I want to be loved, and so I try to love everybody.”
Parton’s faith was also deeply intertwined with her songwriting. 
Gospel music had been present from the beginning of her life, and in 1971 she released her first gospel album, ‘Golden Streets of Glory’. 
It featured songs including ‘I Believe’, ‘Lord Hold My Hand’, ‘Heaven’s Just a Prayer Away’, ‘Book of Life’ and ‘Yes, I See God’.
Even as her mainstream career grew, Christian themes continued to appear in her music.
Writing in her 2020 book, ‘Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics’, Parton described entering what she called her “God space” when writing songs, saying: “I feel like I’m closest to God when I write.”
Reflecting on moments of unexpected inspiration, she added: “Hey, thank You, Lord. I know I didn’t think of that.”
Towards the later years of her career, Parton became particularly open about her desire to record explicitly Christian music.
In 2019, after releasing several faith-centred collaborations, she said she believed God was leading her in that direction.
“I’ve just felt like God was calling me into that,” she said. 
“I’ve always felt like my music was more my ministry than a job,” she continued, explaining that she hoped to use her influence “to brighten the world a little bit”.
That period produced some of Ms Parton’s most prominent Christian collaborations.
She joined Christian duo For King and Country for a new version of ‘God Only Knows’, a song centred on God’s love for people experiencing loneliness, shame and despair. The collaboration won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2020.
Parton also recorded ‘There Was Jesus’ with Christian singer Zach Williams. The song reflects on recognising the enduring presence of Jesus through hardship, loneliness and life’s unexpected turns.
The collaboration became her first number one on Billboard’s Christian charts and later won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song in 2021.
She also recorded ‘Faith’ with electronic duo Galantis and Mr Probz, while her 2020 Christmas album included her rendition of the Christian song ‘Mary, Did You Know?’
Ms Parton’s Christian faith also shaped the way she approached suffering and death.
That became particularly apparent following the death of her husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean, in March 2025.
Speaking about her grief later that year, Parton said her belief in eternal life gave her hope that their separation would not be permanent.
“I am a person of faith, and I truly believe that I’m going to see him again someday,” she told the Associated Press. “And I see him every day in my memories and in my heart, and in all the things that we used to do and all the things that we’ve built together.”
Those words have taken on added poignancy following Parton’s own death.
In a video posted to X by her family announcing her death, her nephew Bryan Seaver reflected on her Christian hope, saying: “Sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus.” 
From her childhood in rural Tennessee to the heights of international fame, Parton remained open about the Christian faith that shaped her life, music and enduring sense of hope.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Anna Faris says son has asked her to become a Christian]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/anna-faris-says-son-has-asked-her-to-become-a-christian</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/anna-faris-says-son-has-asked-her-to-become-a-christian</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Anna Faris]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Instagram/AnnaFaris) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Anna Faris ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 26 Aug 2026 08:12:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The Scary Movie star suggested she was open to becoming a Christian "but it’s going to take a whole lot of long conversations".]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Actress Anna Faris has suggested she is open to becoming a Christian thanks to the urging of her teenage son, Jack.
Jack, 14, is also the son of actor Chris Pratt, with whom Faris was married for nearly a decade. The couple divorced in 2018.
Pratt has previously spoken about how the birth of their son had a profound impact on his faith - Jack was born nine weeks premature. Pratt said that he and Faris were “scared for a long time” and “prayed a lot”.
"It restored my faith in God, not that it needed to be restored, but it really redefined it," he said. 
Last year, speaking to The Christian Post, Pratt went further, saying “He [God] really saved my son, and that was the moment [my faith] was cemented. My heart softened, and my faith hardened. That was the moment I was like, 'Moving forward, I'm going to give my platform to God.’”
Pratt also spoke of his willingness to be one of the few publicly Christian stars in Hollywood, “I care enough about Jesus to take a stand, even if it cost me. It could cost me everything, but I don't care. It’s worth it to me because this is what I'm called to do - it’s where my heart is.”
Now, speaking to Chelsea Handler on the Dear Chelsea podcast, Faris said that Jack has asked her to accept Jesus. She has some reservations, however. 
“I would do anything for him, including this, but it’s going to take a whole lot of long conversations," Faris said.
Elsewhere in the conversation, she said that Jack is "religious", but not herself. 
"I didn’t grow up with religion. He’s asked me to accept Jesus Christ [as my Savior],” she said. 
While saying that she was “appreciative” of her son’s interest in religion, Faris indicated that she was being held back from fully embracing Christ, due to some issues she has with aspects of Christianity, including "hypocrisy".
Faris said her son was emotionally strong enough, though, to cope with being challenged on his beliefs. 
"I’m like, ‘Do you think it’s a luxury that you [Jack] get to be pro-life? Do you think that’s kind of a luxury?' And he’s like, ‘Maybe.' Or I’ll say, ‘What do you think of this mega pastor that’s kind of a grifter?’ And he’s like, ‘Oh, mega pastors are the worst.’ So it’s like, ‘Okay, he’s getting there,'" she said.]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Cory Asbury takes down shirtless photo after backlash]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/cory-asbury-takes-down-shirtless-photo-after-backlash</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/cory-asbury-takes-down-shirtless-photo-after-backlash</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Ryan Foley]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Cory Asbury]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Facebook/CoryAsburyMusic ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Cory Asbury wrote the song "Reckless Love." ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:54:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Christian singer Cory Asbury has taken down a shirtless picture of himself after receiving criticism that it lacked modesty and could be a stumbling block for others.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian singer Cory Asbury has taken down a shirtless picture of himself after receiving criticism that it lacked modesty and could be a stumbling block for others.
In an apology video posted on Instagram Thursday, Asbury addressed the controversy surrounding a photo he shared of himself posing beside fellow Christian musician Forrest Frank and a friend named Tony. 
“Honestly, I didn’t think much of it,” he said. “My heart was just to share highlights of the culture that we were [experiencing] on the road. … It was about mind, body, soul, health. So we were working out a lot, and one of those days, we were just looking at the progress and going, ‘Man … we’ve come a long way.’” 
“There was no intention for anyone to stumble or be a block of offense at all,” he added. “I guess there was a little controversy over that on the internet.”
The three men agreed to take the picture down because “that doesn’t need to live on the internet as a thing of offense that could possibly be a stumbling block.” 
“I realize a lot of different people share a lot of different opinions on modesty, and maybe one day we’ll weigh in on that, but for now, we just want to go ahead and take that down,” he added. 
Asbury also clarified that he was the one who posted the picture, not Frank. “I posted that photo,” he said. “It was from my account, so lay off my boy.”
“I just want to humbly, before everyone, say ‘I’m sorry,’” Asbury said, stressing that he “didn’t want it to be a thing” and “didn’t want it to offend anyone at all.
"It’s down. It’s gone. Push on toward the end goal of loving Jesus with humility.” 
The picture Asbury posted was one of several images included as part of a recap of his tour with Frank and other Christian artists called “The Jesus Generation Tour.”
The tour, which was designed to provide “a powerful night of music, worship and community,” consisted of stops in 29 cities with Frank as the headliner. All stops on the tour featured the Figs greeting fans as they arrived, Asbury leading worship and Christian musician Tori Kelly introducing Frank. 
The Jesus Generation Tour kicked off on June 1 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and concluded on Aug. 1 in Arlington, Texas. It included stops in 22 states.
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Biblical animation ‘David’ heads to UK and Ireland after $88m global success]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/biblical-animation-david-heads-to-uk-and-ireland-after-88m-global-success</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/biblical-animation-david-heads-to-uk-and-ireland-after-88m-global-success</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[David]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Angel Studios) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:58:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Animated biblical film ‘David’ is heading to cinemas across the UK and Ireland on August 21, following a successful international run that has brought in almost $88 million at the global box office.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Animated biblical film ‘David’ is heading to cinemas across the UK and Ireland on August 21, following a successful international run that has brought in almost $88 million at the global box office.
The Angel Studios production retells the biblical story of David, tracing his journey from a young shepherd to king of Israel and depicting some of the best-known events of his life, including his anointing and confrontation with the Philistine giant Goliath.
The film will be released in UK and Irish cinemas through Vue Lumiere. 
‘David’ recorded a $22 million opening weekend, setting a new opening-weekend record for Angel Studios, with the film later earning nearly $88 million globally.
Featuring original music and cinematic animation, the film explores themes of faith, courage, humility, hope and resilience.
Christian singer and songwriter Phil Wickham voices David, with the cast also featuring Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Lauren Daigle, comedian and actor Asim Chaudhry and Brandon Engman.
The UK and Ireland release is being accompanied by a campaign encouraging churches to use the film as an opportunity to engage congregations, families and their wider communities with the biblical story.
KOVA, which works to connect churches with faith and values-based films, has produced a free resource pack for congregations interested in promoting the film or organising group cinema trips.
The materials include the film’s official trailer for churches to show, a holding slide for use during Sunday services, children’s colouring sheets and a discussion guide aimed at families, small groups and church ministries.
Churches are being encouraged to use the resources to continue conversations around the themes and biblical account explored in the film.
The August release follows growing interest in faith-based productions reaching mainstream cinema audiences.
Angel Studios has become particularly associated with films and television programmes centred on Christian and family-oriented productions such as such as ‘The Chosen’ and the box-office hit, ‘Sound of Freedom.’]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[What 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' teaches us about sacrifice, grace and goodness]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/what-spider-man-brand-new-day-teaches-us-about-sacrifice-grace-and-goodness</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/what-spider-man-brand-new-day-teaches-us-about-sacrifice-grace-and-goodness</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Spider-Man: Brand New Day]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Columbia Pictures) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 06 Aug 2026 09:50:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The latest Spider-Man film may not be a Christian movie, but it reflects many biblical themes like sacrifice, redemption and hope.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
*Warning: spoilers ahead*
This year has been filled with blockbuster films, and ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ has already broken records with an impressive opening weekend. 
Spider-Man remains one of the world’s most beloved superheroes, not only for his powers, but in his relatability, resilience, strong moral character and unwavering desire to do what is right, even at great personal cost. 
Superhero stories allow us to step outside the ordinary for a while and marvel at extraordinary acts of courage, selflessness and hope. There is something deeply satisfying about watching good ultimately triumph over evil. Yet often behind the thrilling web-slinging action and spectacular visual effects lie much deeper questions about love, sacrifice, identity, justice and redemption that have captivated humanity for thousands of years.
Let’s be clear: ‘Spider-Man’ is not a Christian film, nor should every plot point be treated as an allegory of the gospel. Yet, as with many works of literature and cinema, it echoes themes that the Bible reveals in their fullest and truest form. The gospel is the story from which every longing for a hero, every hope for redemption, and every desire for justice ultimately finds its fulfilment
Here are 5 biblical themes that stood out to me while watching ‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day.’
1. The cost of sacrifice: Giving up what we love for a greater purpose
One of the strongest themes throughout the film is sacrifice. Uncle Ben’s famous words, “With great power comes great responsibility,” continue to shape Peter Parker’s life as he repeatedly chooses the good of others over his own happiness.
Peter continues to live with the consequences of Doctor Strange’s spell from ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home,’ which caused everyone to forget who he was in order to protect them. The people he loves most - MJ and Ned - no longer know him, and he carries that burden alone.
It is a painful reminder that doing the right thing often comes at a personal cost. The Christian life carries a similar tension. Following Christ sometimes requires us to surrender things that are precious to us - relationships, ambitions, comfort, reputation or even dreams - in obedience to God’s calling.
Abraham was asked to lay Isaac on the altar, the son through whom God had promised to bless the nations (Genesis 22). Although God ultimately provided a substitute, Abraham’s willingness to surrender what he loved most demonstrated extraordinary faith.
Jesus spoke even more radically: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Ultimately, Jesus Himself became the greatest example of sacrificial love. He left the glory of heaven, took on human flesh, endured rejection, suffering and death so that sinners could be reconciled to God (Philippians 2:6-8; John 1:14; Isaiah 53:3-5). Peter’s sacrifice is obviously not comparable to Christ’s atoning work, but it reflects the biblical principle that genuine love is often costly.
At times, those sacrifices can leave us feeling isolated or forgotten. Peter experiences exactly that. Yet by the end of the film, after risking everything once again, the people of New York rally around him. As he lies recovering from his injuries, ordinary citizens come to express their gratitude for all he has done.
Christians may never receive such visible recognition. In fact, many acts of faithfulness will go unnoticed by the world. But God never overlooks them. Scripture reminds us: “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown him” (Hebrews 6:10). Every unseen act of obedience matters. Whether or not others recognise our sacrifices, our heavenly Father does.
Scripture reminds us that “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The praise of this world is fleeting, but the reward God promises His people is eternal.
2. No one is meant to walk alone
Although Spider-Man often appears to fight alone, ‘Brand New Day’ reminds us that no one can carry life’s burdens in isolation. Peter needs others. He relies on allies such as the Punisher and Bruce Banner, and despite everything that has happened, he still longs for friendship and companionship. His humanity is not a weakness - it is part of who he is.
The Bible presents the same truth from its opening chapters – “It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). God created us for relationship (Genesis 2:18; Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Jesus surrounded Himself with twelve disciples (Mark 3:13-14; Luke 6:12-13). The early Church devoted themselves to fellowship (Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25). Believers are described as one body with many parts, each needing the others (1 Corinthians 12). Even more profoundly, God Himself exists eternally as Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14). Before creation, perfect love already existed within the Trinity.
Love, by its very nature, cannot remain isolated. It is shared (1 John 4:7-8; Romans 5:5). That is why Christianity is not simply about private spirituality. It is about loving God and loving one another (Mark 12:30-31; John 13:34-35). We were never intended to follow Christ alone.
3. Sacrificial love has the power to redeem
Perhaps the most moving storyline in the film centres on Jean Grey.
Consumed by grief after Damage Control exploited her sister’s telepathic abilities and ultimately caused her death, Jean becomes driven by anger and revenge. She believes that if others experience the same pain she has endured, justice will somehow be achieved.
Beneath her rage lies something even deeper: profound loneliness. She no longer believes anyone can be trusted. She cannot imagine that anyone would willingly choose her over their own selfish interest to exploit her powers or hurt her.
Peter responds very differently. During a telepathic encounter inside his mind, he tells her that she is not alone - that he is with her. More importantly, he proves it. Rather than simply offering comforting words, Peter throws himself in front of a bullet intended for her. He willingly suffers to save the very person who had caused so much destruction. For the first time, Jean experiences someone who chooses sacrificial love instead of retaliation.
That scene beautifully echoes the heart of the gospel. The Apostle Paul writes: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We were not God’s friends when Christ died for us. We were His enemies. Yet Jesus willingly laid down His life to reconcile us to Himself. As Jesus declared: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Peter reflects this kind of self-giving love when he chooses to take a bullet for Jean rather than let her die.
The cross reveals a love unlike anything the world can offer - a love that pursues undeserving people, absorbs injustice rather than returning it, and offers forgiveness where revenge seems more natural (Luke 15:4-5; 1 Peter 2:23; Romans 12:17-19; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).
Jean’s encounter with Peter changes her. Rather than continuing down the path of destruction, she uses her abilities to save his life. Grace changes people (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:11-12). The same should be true of every Christian. Those who have experienced God’s mercy are called to become people who extend mercy to others (Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:36; Micah 6:8).
4. Choosing goodness in a broken world
Spider-Man has endured more hardship than many of the villains he faces. He has lost loved ones, been misunderstood, rejected and forced to carry burdens that few could imagine.
Yet he refuses to let suffering define him. He does not allow pain to become an excuse for hatred. This becomes especially evident in the way his integrity influences even the Punisher. Peter’s unwavering commitment to protecting others forces Frank Castle to confront his own methods and moral compass.
Goodness has a quiet but powerful influence. Jesus described His followers as “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). Christians are called to resist the temptation to mirror the bitterness, anger and revenge that often dominate society (Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:31-32). Instead, we are to reflect Christ’s character – the true source of goodness - through compassion, forgiveness and truth (Colossians 3:12-13; Ephesians 4:15).
The world has enough darkness. It desperately needs people who continue choosing light.
5. Our identity is not found in what we do
One conversation particularly stood out to me. In one of Peter’s memories, Aunt May reminds Peter that the people who truly love him love Peter Parker, not Spider-Man. Their love is not based on his powers or achievements, but on who he is.
That reflects an important biblical truth. Our value before God is not determined by our accomplishments, talents, popularity or usefulness (Psalm 139:13-14; Ephesians 2:10). Many of us subtly believe we must constantly prove ourselves - to our employers, our families, our friends, and sometimes even to God. But the gospel tells a different story.
God’s love is not earned. He does not accept us because we are impressive enough, productive enough or spiritually mature enough. He loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). Everything we do for Him flows from His love - it never earns it (1 John 4:19; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15). As children of God, our identity rests not in our performance but in His grace (John 1:12; Ephesians 1:5-6; Romans 8:1).
Final thoughts
One reason stories like ‘Spider-Man’ continue to resonate across generations is that they tap into longings that every human heart carries. We long for justice to triumph over evil. We admire sacrificial love. We hope broken people can change. We want someone to stand between us and the darkness and tell us, “You’re not alone.”
Those desires are ultimately fulfilled not in a superhero, but in Jesus Christ. Spider-Man can inspire us to be courageous and selfless. Christ does something far greater. He not only gives us an example to follow - He gives us a new heart, a new identity and the promise that one day evil itself will finally be defeated (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Revelation 20:10; Romans 16:20).
Dear reader, the good news of the gospel is that Jesus doesn’t simply save us and leave us unchanged. Through His Holy Spirit, He empowers ordinary men and women to live extraordinary lives of faith, courage, love and sacrifice in a world that desperately needs hope (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 3:16-17; 2 Timothy 1:7). In that sense, He makes His people the real heroes - not because we possess superhuman abilities, but because His supernatural power is at work within us for His glory (1 Corinthians 1:27-29; 2 Corinthians 4:7; Philippians 4:13).
Perhaps that is why stories like these move us so deeply. They remind us, however imperfectly, of the greatest story ever told. What other Biblical themes did you pick up on?]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[5 biblical themes Christians can reflect on in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/5-biblical-themes-christians-can-reflect-on-in-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/5-biblical-themes-christians-can-reflect-on-in-christopher-nolans-the-odyssey</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Obianuju Mbah]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[The Odyssey]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Universal Pictures) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Sat, 01 Aug 2026 07:05:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[‘The Odyssey’ is not a Christian work but like many great works of literature, it wrestles with questions that are deeply human - and therefore resonate with truths that Scripture addresses more fully.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christopher Nolan's adaptation of ‘The Odyssey’ has generated widespread discussion. Audiences have praised its visual spectacle, debated its interpretation of Homer’s epic, questioned his casting choices and its historical accuracy, and reflected on its portrayal of Greek mythology and ancient culture.
Yet amid those conversations, another perspective has received far less attention: the biblical themes that emerge from the story.
Of course, ‘The Odyssey’ is not a Christian work. It comes from a pagan worldview, with gods who are morally flawed and often act according to their own whims rather than perfect justice. Nevertheless, like many great works of literature, it wrestles with questions that are deeply human - and therefore resonate with truths that Scripture addresses more fully.
Here are 5 biblical themes Christians may recognise:
1. Arrogance, rebellion and the fall of man
One of the defining characteristics of Odysseus is his intelligence. Again and again, he relies on his own cunning to achieve victory. The Trojan Horse becomes the greatest example of this, exploiting the sacred Greek expectation of hospitality - a value believed to be protected by Zeus. Rather than winning through honour, Odysseus manipulates what was considered sacred in order to secure his own success.
The Bible presents a similar pattern from the very beginning. Humanity’s fall began not because Adam and Eve lacked intelligence, but because they chose to define good and evil for themselves rather than trust God’s command (Genesis 3). Sin begins when people decide that their own wisdom is superior to God’s – in other words, arrogance.
The greatest commandments, Jesus teaches, are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Those two commands are inseparable. Once our relationship with God is broken, our relationships with other people inevitably begin to fracture as well.
Odysseus’ choices reflect this progression. His disregard for what is sacred ultimately affects how he treats others, leading to violence, suffering and eventually the destruction of many of his own companions.
Sin is never merely personal. It always spills over into the lives of others.
2. Evil rarely ends where it begins
The destruction of Troy is celebrated as a military triumph, yet its consequences continue long after the city falls. Violence creates more violence.
Fear spreads across the seas. Rumours of ruthless invaders – “men from the sea” - travel from kingdom to kingdom. The terror unleashed upon Troy leaves other kingdoms wondering whether they could be next, with even Odysseus’ own, Ithaca, living under the shadow of that fear.
This echoes one of Scripture’s recurring themes: sin has a ripple effect. Cain murders Abel, and violence multiplies through generations (Genesis 4). David’s adultery leads to murder, family conflict and national instability (2 Samuel 11-18). James writes that desire gives birth to sin, and sin, when fully grown, gives birth to death (James 1:14-15).
Evil rarely remains contained. It produces consequences that extend far beyond the original decision. The Bible’s warning is clear: what we sow, we eventually reap (Galatians 6:7).
3. Humility comes before restoration
Throughout ‘The Odyssey,’ Odysseus’ journey is not merely geographical - it is deeply personal. The proud warrior who left for Troy is not the same man who longs to return home.
Before restoration can begin, he must be humbled. He must acknowledge his limitations, recognise that he cannot overcome every obstacle through his own strength, and seek mercy from powers greater than himself.
The Bible presents repentance in a similar way. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Repentance is not simply feeling guilty. It is turning away from self-reliance and returning to God. Throughout Scripture, restoration begins not with human achievement but with humility.
Whether it is the prodigal son returning to his father (Luke 15:20-24), King David confessing his sin (Psalm 51:1-4; 2 Samuel 12:13), or Peter restored after denying Christ (John 21:15-17; Luke 22:61-62), God meets those who come to Him with repentant hearts (Isaiah 57:15; James 4:8-10).
4. Shame can make us forget who we are
One of the most moving aspects of the story is Odysseus’ time with Calypso. Rather than simply imprisoning him physically, she traps him psychologically.
Years pass as he loses sight of his identity as king, husband and father. Haunted by the bloodshed and destruction of Troy that secured his victory, his longing to return home gradually fades beneath regret, weariness and despair. The shame of what he has done begins to consume him, convincing him that he is no longer worthy of returning to his family or fulfilling his calling. Rather than remembering who he is, he allows his failures to define him, leaving him trapped not only by Calypso's island but also by his own sense of unworthiness.
Christians recognise a similar spiritual battle. Scripture teaches that Satan is “the accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10). One of his greatest weapons is convincing believers that their failures are greater than God’s grace. Shame whispers that we are disqualified.
The gospel declares that those in Christ are forgiven, adopted and made new (Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 5:17). God never calls us to remain trapped in our past (Isaiah 43:18-19; Philippians 3:13-14). He calls us to remember who we are in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:3; 1 John 3:1). Like the prodigal son “coming to himself” before returning home (Luke 15:17), our spiritual renewal often begins when we remember our true identity.
5. The longing for home
Perhaps the most powerful theme in ‘The Odyssey’ is the longing to go home. Every monster, every storm and every temptation ultimately serves one purpose: preventing Odysseus from reaching the place where he truly belongs. That longing resonates because it reflects something universal.
The Bible teaches that every human heart carries a deeper longing - not merely for earthly security but for God Himself (Psalm 42:1-2; Ecclesiastes 3:11; Psalm 63:1). As Christians, we are described as “foreigners and exiles” in this world (1 Peter 2:11). Our true citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Hebrews reminds us that the faithful were looking for “a better country - a heavenly one” (Hebrews 11:16).
In that sense, every Christian life is its own kind of odyssey. We face trials, distractions, temptations and seasons of wandering. We encounter moments when we lose sight of our calling or become exhausted by the journey. Yet God continually calls us home (Hosea 11:8; Isaiah 44:22; Joel 2:12-13).
Like Odysseus, Christians cannot make it home by their own strength alone. His journey reaches its turning point only when he is humbled, acknowledges his need for the gods’ mercy, and submits to their will. 
Yet the gospel goes even further. Our homecoming ultimately depends not on earning divine favour through our own endurance, but on the grace of God shown through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). Christ has already made the way home – He is the true hero of the gospel, who came to seek and save the lost and to bring us safely home to the Father (Luke 19:10; John 14:6; John 10:14-16). Our response is to repent, trust Him, and follow where He leads 9 Acts 3:19; John 14:1; Mark 1:17).
Final thoughts: a story that points beyond itself
‘The Odyssey’ remains one of the greatest stories ever told because it explores questions every generation asks: What makes a good leader? Can people change? How do we deal with guilt? Where do we belong? Is there a way home after everything we’ve done?
Greek mythology offers compelling stories, but it leaves many of those questions unresolved.
The Bible offers something greater. It tells of a God who does not simply watch humanity struggle home but enters history Himself in Jesus Christ to rescue us (John 1:14; Luke 19:10; Galatians 4:4-5). Rather than leaving us to navigate the journey alone, He walks with us, transforms us through His Spirit, forgives our failures, restores our identity, and promises that one day every believer will finally arrive at their eternal home with Him (Matthew 28:20; 2 Corinthians 3:18;; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 3:3; John 14:2-3; Revelation 21:3-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:17).
That is the greatest homecoming story ever told.
Dear reader, perhaps you’ve never thought of your life as an odyssey. Yet every one of us has wandered, chased our own way, carried shame, forgotten who we truly are or longed for a place where we truly belong. The good news of the gospel is that God has not left you to find your own way home. Through Jesus Christ, He has already made the way. The only question that remains is: will you answer His call?]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[AI is an evangelistic opportunity but Christians must shape its future, summit hears]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/ai-is-an-evangelistic-opportunity-but-christians-must-shape-its-future-summit-hears</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/ai-is-an-evangelistic-opportunity-but-christians-must-shape-its-future-summit-hears</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Anita Laryea]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[artificial intelligence, AI]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: Getty/iStock) ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jul 2026 09:34:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Artificial intelligence is creating fresh opportunities for evangelism, but Christians must help shape the technology's future before it is defined by those with "very different values", leaders at the Missional AI Summit in London said. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Artificial intelligence is creating fresh opportunities for evangelism, but Christians must help shape the technology's future before it is defined by those with "very different values", leaders at the Missional AI Summit in London said. 
Silicon Valley pastor Paul Taylor argued that AI is prompting people to ask what it means to be human, while Premier CEO Kevin Bennett urged the Church to ensure biblical values help guide the AI revolution.
Taylor, who pastors Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, spoke from the Book of Haggai 1:1 to argue that the Church should respond to the rise of AI through three roles - the king, the prophet and the priest.
Kings use their authority and influence to shape culture, while prophets challenge those in power by raising difficult questions. 
Taylor said: "Prophets have no power - they exist outside of the system, they are not running companies or building institutions, they exist on a periphery. 
“They ask questions to the people who do have authority and the world needs prophets to ask questions in this AI moment about employment, about loneliness, about human flourishing. We need those prophets to ask the questions, even if people don’t listen.”
Priests, he said, are the ones”stepping into culture and helping people find God in a changing world”. 
Taylor thinks AI presents a significant opportunity for the Church because it is prompting society to reconsider what it means to be human: “I’m convinced that this moment in AI provides an incredible opportunity for the Church, because the technology is becoming more human like and it’s forcing us to ask the question that we have already heard many times: ‘what does it actually mean to be human?’”
He continued: “As our AI models approach humanity, it’s going to force us to ask that question more fervently, and this is an opportunity for the Church because we’ve been trying to get people to ask this question for a very long time.
"This is the question that, if you follow the thread, it eventually leads to Jesus Christ. What does it mean to be human? Look at Jesus.”
Taylor challenged Christians to identify which of the three roles they are called to fulfil: a king using influence to shape culture, a prophet asking the questions others avoid, or a priest helping people find God in a changing world.
He concluded: “Jesus lives within us and He helps us as individuals and as the Church at large to live out these three roles whenever culture requires us. 
“I believe this is a moment where culture needs us to show up as the Church. I’m optimistic about this moment not because I’m optimistic about the technology, but because Jesus created the Church for moments like this.”
The Missional AI Summit brought church leaders and technologists together in London to discuss the theme of “Light & Shadow – The Two Edges of AI”.
Sponsored by Christian Vision, Premier and Biblica, the event examined how artificial intelligence is reshaping society and what that means for the Church’s mission, ministry and witness.
Premier CEO Kevin Bennett challenged Christians to think more carefully about what artificial intelligence actually is.
“If we want to use AI well, we have to understand AI,” he said. 
Bennett questioned whether the term “artificial intelligence” is always helpful, suggesting that current systems are better understood as technologies that assimilate and process human knowledge.
He described it as a “fantastic accelerator” that will “get you from A to B really quickly”, but pointed out important limitations. 
“You need to be at A - you need to find the idea, you need to have the inspiration, and let AI help you bring that to life. I think if you do that, you get the benefit of AI without the slop,” he said. 
He continued, “AI can commoditise a lot of things, but it can’t commoditise your character, your conviction, your courage, your community or your trust. You need to focus on those things that AI can’t commoditise. 
“AI knows everything that is public, but there are some things that only you know - your data, your intellectual property, and spiritual equity; your calling and inspiration, what God put you on this planet to do, and your discernment, your prophecy.” 
He said the challenge for the Christian community was to think about what message is being sent to the rest of the world about AI.  
“AI isn’t God. In a world that says you are no different to the machines, you have a spirit and soul; in a world that says you have been replaced and you are not needed anymore, you can say you have a unique purpose, God put you on this planet for a specific thing - that can’t be taken by AI," he said. 
Bennett observed the uniqueness of Christians, noting that while "AI has algorithms", they have the Holy Spirit.
"AI has predictions, but you have been given a prophetic imagination to create things that have never existed before," he said. 
He suggested that the Church has a unique role to play in safeguarding society as AI continues to expand into more of modern life. 
“We should be pro-technology - the Church always should be - but we must be pro-human because God died for humanity; He didn’t die for machines,” he said. 
“A secular world view is not enough. I believe passionately that Christianity is actually the only world view strong enough to make the future of humans flourish in a world of AI.  
“Therefore Christians must shape the future, because if we don’t it will be shaped by people who have very different values to us.”
The Missional AI Summit was hosted by Gareth Russell, co-founder and CEO of Jersey Road, a communications agency serving Christian charities and non-profits. 
He suggested the conversation around AI is beginning to move beyond initial concerns and into questions of practical application.
“Today we are moving past the early ‘be careful about AI’ narrative framing, and into the harder, more useful questions of how will we build, how will we deploy, and how will we discern well,” he said.
Among the keynote speakers was Chine McDonald, director of Theos think tank, who reflected on how Christians can remain deeply human in a technological age.
Drawing on the opening chapters of Genesis, McDonald argued that the creation account reveals not only God’s power but also his creativity and attentiveness.
“Genesis 1 isn’t just about creation, it is also about the Creator,” she said. “Before we learn anything about humanity, we encounter a God whose first revealed characteristic is astonishing creativity.”
McDonald suggested that if AI can remove some of the repetitive demands of daily life, it could create opportunities for people to pay greater attention to God’s Word. While technology may increase efficiency, she said the Church’s role is to recover the art of contemplation.
She also warned against allowing digital connection to replace genuine human relationships. While technology can help people stay connected, she said there remains something unique about face-to-face encounters.
“Part of our mission is about seeing others,” she said. “Seeing not just the circumstances someone is in, but how God sees them.”
A panel discussion chaired by Sam Hailes, editor of Christianity magazine and publishing director of Premier, explored the role of AI in worship, discipleship, publishing and Bible engagement.
Among the panellists was worship leader and songwriter Richard James Butt who expressed caution about using AI to generate creative content like music.
“My general position is that I probably wouldn’t use AI for the generation of any ideas,” he said.
Butt suggested that audiences still place a high value on authenticity and human creativity and there is a sense of “disappointment” when art has been AI generated. 
Lindsay Holley, senior director of global impact at Biblica, expressed the value of AI in expanding Bible translation and helping people engage with Scripture.
“If we are passionate about allowing people to meet Jesus in the pages of Scripture, we have a responsibility to utilise the tools that God has provided,” she said. “AI seems to be a tool in that arsenal, but the issue again is wisdom in how much we let it dictate versus how we use it.”
The final keynote came from James Poulter, AI strategist, author and host of the Missional AI podcast. Reflecting on the rapid pace of technological change, he described AI as being in a period between initial excitement and deeper societal debate.
Poulter compared today’s AI moment to previous technological revolutions and urged Christians not to complain about change but to engage thoughtfully with it.
Referencing Acts 2 and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, he argued that believers need spiritual wisdom to navigate a period of significant disruption.
“Acts chapter 2 speaks of a new language that was given to the disciples for a moment of difficulty, change and revolution,” he said.
“God sends the Helper to help discern the times and this is what I think we need to be focusing on.”]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Mel Gibson warned Passion screenwriter 'Satan's going to come after you']]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/mel-gibson-warned-passion-screenwriter-satan-s-going-to-come-after-you</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/mel-gibson-warned-passion-screenwriter-satan-s-going-to-come-after-you</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Samantha Kamman]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Mel Gibson]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ (Photo: YouTube/Joe Rogan Experience) ]]>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience released on Jan. 9, 2025. ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:05:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Randall Wallace said a conversation he had with Mel Gibson about making a sequel to "The Passion of the Christ" came with an unexpected warning.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Randall Wallace said a conversation he had with Mel Gibson about making a sequel to "The Passion of the Christ" came with an unexpected warning: "Satan's going to come after you."
Wallace, 76, shared the story during an appearance on Raymond Arroyo’s Arroyo Grande podcast in an episode released on July 15. 
Wallace, Gibson and Gibson’s brother, Donal Gibson, teamed up to write “The Resurrection of the Christ,” the sequel to Gibson’s 2004 biblical drama “The Passion of the Christ,” which chronicles the final hours of Jesus and His crucifixion.
The screenwriter said he approached Gibson about developing a film on the Resurrection while the two were promoting 2016's "Hacksaw Ridge."
“Having studied the Resurrection and being so consumed by it, I thought about it many times,” Wallace recalled. “I didn’t have anything to do with ‘The Passion of the Christ.’ When we were promoting ‘Hacksaw Ridge,’ we were sitting there talking about our lives, and I said, ‘Look, you know, the story that you really need to tell is the Resurrection,’” the screenwriter added. 
Wallace said there was a long pause before Gibson responded with something "profoundly beautiful."
"He said, 'If we do this, it can't be for the money, and it can't be to get back at people that have hated us or wronged us or been unhappy with us.' And I said, 'Amen to that,'" Wallace recalled.
“Then [Gibson] said, ‘You know, Satan’s going to come after you,’” he continued. 
Wallace recalled jokingly replying, "Well, you know, Satan doesn't really care about Baptists. It's really good when Satan can get a Catholic. We're a dime a dozen."
The screenwriter acknowledged that he was being facetious at the time, though he admitted the thought stuck with him.
When Arroyo asked, "What if he's right?" Wallace replied, "Well, yeah," adding that the exchange led to "a beautiful conversation about grace."
Arroyo then suggested Wallace might've also been wondering whether Gibson’s warning might prove true.
That conversation, Wallace said, marked the start of their collaboration on the script. “I knew he had written ‘The Passion,’ was very much deeply involved in the writing of it,” Wallace said. “And I said, ‘Look, let’s partner up. I’ll write a draft, give it to you, then we’ll start tearing it up, go through it. You do your thing, I’ll do mine. We’ll work together, we’ll work apart.’ So we started that way.”
The project is not the first time that Wallace and Gibson have worked together. The pair previously collaborated on the Oscar-winning 1995 epic historical drama “Braveheart,” the 2002 Vietnam War movie “We Were Soldiers” and the 2016 World War II film “Hacksaw Ridge.”
The sequel has undergone scheduling changes since it was first announced. 
“The Resurrection of the Christ: Part One” had originally been scheduled for release in March 2026, but its theatrical debut has been pushed to May 6, 2027, according to Variety. The second installment is scheduled to arrive in theaters on May 25, 2028.
The sequel to Gibson’s 2004 biblical drama revisits the story of Jesus Christ following the crucifixion, focusing on the events surrounding the Resurrection.
Actor Jaakko Ohtonen plays Jesus in the sequel, replacing Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ.” The ensemble also includes Mariela Garriga as Mary Magdalene, Pier Luigi Pasino as Peter, Kasia Smutniak as Mary, Riccardo Scamarcio as Pontius Pilate and Rupert Everett in a supporting role.
“It made sense to recast the whole film,” a source close to the production previously told Variety. “They would have had to do all this CGI stuff - de-aging and all that - that would have been very costly.”
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Worship leader Brian Doerksen dies from stage 4 cancer]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/worship-leader-brian-doerksen-dies-from-stage-4-cancer</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/worship-leader-brian-doerksen-dies-from-stage-4-cancer</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Leonardo Blair]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Brian Doerksens Its Time]]></media:title>
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                                    <![CDATA[ Brian Doerksen's It's Time ]]>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:55:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[The man behind worship hits like “Come Now Is The Time To Worship" has passed away at the age of 60.]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Christian Canadian worship leader, singer and songwriter Brian Doerksen, known for songs such as “Refiner's Fire,” “Faithful One” and “Come Now Is The Time To Worship,” has died following a brief battle with stage 4 cancer. He was 60.
He died “peacefully in his sleep” at home on Tuesday morning “surrounded by those who loved him most,” according to a statement shared on his social media.
“Till the very end, Brian continued to love those around him, encouraging them in who they are, and shared incredible gratitude to those in the medical field who tried their best to help him. He was a beacon of light even in his final moments to his close family and friends, and loved well right to the end,” the statement said. “May we all be like him, to love freely, be kind, and grateful even in the midst of the hardest of times.”
Doerksen, who was part of the Vineyard Churches and Vineyard Music Group, was hospitalized after he began experiencing severe pain from “undiagnosed medical issues for months,” which began in February, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched to help pay for his healthcare.
The campaign stated that he and his wife, Joyce, are the parents of six adult children with Fragile X syndrome, one of the most common inherited causes of intellectual disability and autism, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Two of those children require full-time care.
“His heart and purpose has been to sing love over people, inspire hope, comfort the grieving, and bring peace amongst the chaos in a hurting world,” the campaign organizers said.
In a statement honoring Doerksen’s life Wednesday, Vineyard Worship thanked God for his “extraordinary life and ministry, and for the lasting gift he has given to the Church.”
“It is with deep sadness, and with profound gratitude to God, that we honor the life of Brian Doerksen. Brian was one of the fathers of Vineyard Worship. Through his songs, leadership and friendship, he helped shape worship in the Vineyard and, far beyond that, the worship of the global Church,” the group said.
“Generations of us have encountered God through songs like 'Come, Now Is the Time to Worship,' 'Refiner’s Fire,' 'Faithful One,' 'Your Love Is Amazing,' and so many more. These songs have been sung in countless churches, at weddings and funerals, in conferences and living rooms, in moments of celebration and seasons of suffering. They have given language to our hearts and pointed us, time and again, to intimacy with Jesus,” the statement added.
Beyond his music, however, Vineyard Worship also remembered Doerksen for his character.
“Those who knew him speak of a man marked by humility, kindness, generosity and deep faith. He was a worshipper before he was a songwriter, and his life reflected the One he so faithfully sang about,” the group stated. “Even in the midst of suffering, he continued to encourage others, overflowing with gratitude and hope.”
© The Christian Post]]></content:encoded>
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                <title><![CDATA[Erling Haaland buys historic Christian manuscript, donates it to local library]]></title>
                <link>https://www.christiantoday.com/news/erling-haaland-buys-historic-christian-manuscript-donates-it-to-local-library</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.christiantoday.com/news/erling-haaland-buys-historic-christian-manuscript-donates-it-to-local-library</guid>
                                                            <dc:creator><![CDATA[Staff writer]]></dc:creator>
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                            <media:title><![CDATA[Erling Haaland]]></media:title>
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                                                                            <pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2026 07:50:00 +0100</pubDate>
                <description><![CDATA[Haaland bought the manuscript together with his father, who was also a professional footballer in his day. ]]></description>
                <content:encoded><![CDATA[
Professional footballers may be known for their lavish lifestyles - fast cars and big houses - but one footballing superstar decided to use his fortune to give a historic Christian manuscript to his local library.
Norway’s Erling Haaland and his father decided to fork out $134,000 for the Heimskringla, a collection of Viking sagas that dates back to the late 16th century, EWTN reports.
The sagas document the lives of all sections of Norse society in the middle ages and detail the spread of Christianity in Norway.
Haaland himself is widely considered to be one of the greatest footballers of the present day, scoring more goals than any other player in the 2025/26 Premier League season. At the recent World Cup he had the fourth highest personal goal tally.
His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, was also a professional footballer in the 1990s and early 2000s.
The Heimskringla is believed to have been created in 1594, however it is also believed to be a copy of a much earlier document produced by an Icelandic scholar in the 13th century.
The original was in Old Norse and tells the story of King Olaf Haraldsson, who converted to Christianity and was later recognised as a saint by the Catholic Church. Over the centuries he has become a symbol of both Norwegian national pride and identity, and its spiritual formation as a Christian country.
The Haalands have donated the manuscript to the public library in their hometown of Bryne.
Erling Haaland told Norwegian media, “I want the book always to lie open so that people can read about those who came from where I come from, from Bryne and Jæren."
He added, “I’ve been lucky enough to live out my dream through football, and I know not everyone gets that chance. Books give so many more people the chance to dream big, see new possibilities and find their own path.”]]></content:encoded>
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