June 21 The Serpent and the Seed is a new mobile adventure game that explores the overarching narrative of the Bible, from Eden to the new creation. Developed by Andy Geers of Discipleship Tech and with music by Poor Bishop Hooper, the game takes a “cozy” approach emphasizing relaxation and storytelling. Designed for all ages, it allows players to engage with Scripture interactively, tracing the promise of the “seed” throughout biblical history. (The Gospel Coalition)
June 20 A new AI model unsubtly named “Enoch” has been developed to date the Dead Sea Scrolls by analyzing letter shapes and cross-referencing them with radiocarbon-dated samples. The study suggests many scrolls are older than previously thought, with some predating the Qumran settlement. While some scholars praise the innovation, others question its accuracy, citing inconsistencies like dating parts of Daniel before historical events they reference. (Biblical Archaeology Society)
June 20 A federal appeals court has ruled that Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms is unconstitutional, citing violations of the First Amendment’s Establishment Clause. The law, signed in 2024, faced opposition from civil liberties groups who argued it alienated non-Christian students. Louisiana’s Attorney General plans to appeal, and the case is likely to reach the Supreme Court. (RNS)
June 19 How long was Jesus’ hair? Centuries of Christian art, from Byzantine mosaics to Renaissance paintings to modern films, have depicted him with lengthy locks. But first-century Jewish men typically kept their hair and beards short, as long hair was mocked for being associated with Roman and Greek elites (see 1Cor 11:14). In the 4th century, artists began picturing him with long hair as a symbol of power and divinity — an image that persists to this day. (RELEVANT)
June 19 The first complete Welsh Bible, translated by Bishop William Morgan in 1588 (and available to read in Bible Gateway), is on display in Wales for the first time at St Davids Cathedral until July 9, 2025. Loaned by Westminster Abbey, where it has been preserved since its creation, the Bible is celebrated as a “special treasure” of Welsh heritage. This rare edition remains in excellent condition, having only ever been used once in church. (Christian Daily)
June 18 Dallas Jenkins, creator of The Chosen, is developing a new series, Joseph of Egypt, for Amazon MGM Studios. The show will explore the biblical story of Joseph, focusing on his betrayal by jealous brothers, rise to power in Egypt, and ultimate test of forgiveness. The project is part of Jenkins’ broader partnership with Amazon, which includes exclusive streaming rights for The Chosen and a future series on Moses. (RELEVANT)
June 17 The American Bible Society’s latest chapter of its “State of the Bible 2025” report found a strong link between Bible engagement and flourishing, particularly among Gen Z and millennials. Daily Bible readers scored 7.9 on the Human Flourishing Index, compared to 6.8 for non-readers. Gen Zers showed improved social relationships, with scores rising from 6.6 in 2024 to 7.0. Bible engagement also increased nationwide for the first time in four years. (Christianity Daily)
June 17 On June 13, Fulani militants attacked a shelter in Nigeria, killing 200 displaced Christians in what has been called the “worst atrocity” yet in the bloodstained region. Local law enforcement arrived too late to prevent the massacre. This attack follows a series of escalating assaults on Christians in Nigeria, where over 3,100 were killed in 2024, making it the deadliest country for Christians according to Open Doors’ World Watch List. (Baptist Press)
June 16 A new study of U.S. churchgoers reveals a complex picture. Since 2020, 38% joined new churches, mostly converts or returning from years away. Three-quarters prefer in-person worship over online, especially Catholics and Orthodox, while evangelicals are more likely to participate virtually. Black churchgoers, though less likely to attend in person, are more likely to participate in church activities. And mainline Protestants show high levels of community engagement. (RNS)
June 16 Other insights from the Exploring the Pandemic Impact on Congregations project: 46% of U.S. churchgoers engage with more than one congregation. Ten percent attend a church led by a woman, 20% are members of an interracial congregation, and 37% are immigrants or the children of immigrants. Just over half (51%) identified as leaning Republican, while 34% leaned Democrat. And 87% said their faith is “very important” to them. (Religion Unplugged)
June 16 Recent excavations of the Cave of Salome in Israel have reignited debate over its origins. While Byzantine Christians revered it as the burial site of Salome, a disciple of Jesus, archaeologists now propose it belonged to Salome I, Herod the Great’s sister and advisor. The tomb’s monumental size and craftsmanship, along with its proximity to Maresha, suggest it was built for a wealthy, royal figure. (Biblical Archaeology Society)
June 14 A report revealed severe persecution of evangelical Christians in Russian-occupied territories in Ukraine, with 47 church leaders killed, many more imprisoned and tortured, and over 650 religious sites damaged, including Kyiv’s Holy Wisdom Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and symbol of Christian unity. This strategy of targeting faith communities echoes earlier Soviet-era oppression. (Christian Daily / Aleteia)
June 12 The History Channel is launching a new 10-part docuseries, The Bible Revealed, which will explore major biblical events such as the Great Flood, the ten plagues, and the Garden of Eden. The series will combine insights from scholars, theologians, and scientists, in an effort to provide a blend of historical, scientific, and theological perspectives. No word yet on a release date. (RELEVANT)
June 12 The 14th-century Shem Tov Bible was sold for $6.9 million in 2024 and is now on display at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem. Created by Rabbi Shem Tov ben Abraham Ibn Gaon in 1312, the Bible spent centuries traveling across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. It references the lost Hilleli Codex of 600 AD, offering insights into medieval biblical and kabbalistic traditions, and is celebrated for its artistic, cultural, and historical significance. (Christianity Daily)
June 12 The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) wrapped up its annual meeting in Dallas with no major reforms enacted. Proposals to abolish the ERLC, amend the constitution to bar churches with women pastors, and adopt new requirements for financial transparency all failed to pass. The SBC did, however, pass resolutions denouncing sports betting, pornography, abortion, and same-sex marriage, and reelected Clint Pressley as president, all by wide margins. (Christianity Today)
June 11 The Dead Sea Scrolls are being exhibited in the U.S. for the first time in nearly a decade at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum in Simi Valley, CA, through September 2, 2025. This exhibit features two dozen scrolls, including the Great Psalms Scroll, alongside over 200 artifacts from the Second Temple period, such as the Magdala Stone and a reconstructed Sea of Galilee Boat, providing a rare glimpse into Jewish life at the time of Jesus. (Biblical Archaeology Society)
June 11 Among evangelical pastors, 20% take the Bible completely literally, while 70% believe it is inspired and without errors but includes symbolic elements. Similarly, 67% of Black Protestant clergy favor the inspired-but-symbolic interpretation. In contrast, 70% of mainline pastors say the Bible is inspired but contains culturally bound or historically inaccurate material. Catholic priests are evenly split between these two perspectives. Virtually no mainline or Catholic clergy take a literalist view. (Christianity Daily)
June 11 A recent analysis of the National Survey of Religious Leaders reveals varying levels of certainty in faith among clergy. While 98% of Black Protestant and 89% of evangelical pastors express unwavering belief in God, 26% of mainline and 15% of Catholic clergy said they believe in God but experience occasional doubt. Virtually none expressed being agnostic or atheist, though. These findings suggest varying levels of comfort with doubt in various traditions. (Religion Unplugged)
June 11 China’s state-sanctioned churches are now required to sing Chinese Communist Party anthems before worshiping Jesus, as part of the government’s “2025 Church Music Ministry Blueprint.” Churches must also use government-approved worship songs via a designated app. Yet despite these restrictions, underground efforts like radio broadcasts continue to provide access to traditional hymns and the Gospel, offering hope to Chinese Christians. (Christian Daily)
June 10 The Asian Evangelical Leadership Forum (AELF), themed “Disciple or Die 2.0,” has opened in South Korea, uniting leaders to accelerate discipleship across Asia. Organized by the Asia Evangelical Alliance, the forum focuses on a ten-year plan to double Asia’s mission force by 2035. Priorities include family discipleship, youth empowerment, mission mobilization, and leveraging AI for evangelism. (Christian Daily)
June 9 Gen Z is driving a surge in Bible sales, which were up 22% in the U.S. in 2024 and nearly doubled in the UK since 2019, as young people turn to the Bible for answers amid global instability and mental health struggles. Social media influencers and hashtags like #Bible amplify the trend. But while curiosity is high, only 4% of Gen Z holds a traditional biblical worldview, highlighting a gap between curiosity and commitment. (RELEVANT)
June 9 A new Pew Research report shows Islam as the fastest-growing religion globally, driven by high fertility rates and younger populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Christianity, though still the largest religion, experienced the sharpest decline due to lower fertility rates and religious switching. The religiously unaffiliated, or “nones,” have grown to 24% of the global population, predominantly in China. (RNS / Religion Unplugged)
June 9 A Church of England survey found that the Lord’s Prayer is slightly more recognizable than the iconic Star Wars phrase, “May the Force be with you.” The survey asked 2,000 people if they could match famous lines from film, literature, and history with their source. Among that group, 80.3% identified lines from the Lord’s Prayer, compared to 79.9% for the Star Wars quote. (Christian Today)
June 9 The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is holding its annual meeting in Dallas this week to address several challenges. Delegates will vote on proposals allocating $3 million for abuse-related legal fees, requiring additional financial disclosures, and defunding the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC). The SBC will also vote once again on whether to require affiliated churches to appoint only male pastors, in line with its doctrinal stance. (Christianity Today)
June 7 CURE International and Biblica have partnered to distribute over 87,000 Bibles in 22 languages to families of children receiving surgical care at CURE’s hospitals across Africa and the Philippines. These hospitals integrate spiritual ministry with treatment for complex disabilities, helping children and families experience healing and embrace faith. Funded by donors, the initiative also connects patients to Bible studies and local pastors post-treatment. (Christianity Daily)
June 7 The Free Church tradition, once a persecuted minority and now the largest Protestant stream globally, celebrated its 500th anniversary in Amsterdam. Originating in 1525 in Switzerland with an emphasis on believer’s baptisms and the separation of church and state, the movement faced severe persecution but spread rapidly across Europe. Today, encompassing Baptists, Mennonites, Pentecostals, and others, it counts nearly a billion adherents worldwide. (Christian Daily)
June 7 Over 10 million pilgrims have visited Rome since the start of the Jubilee Year on December 24, 2024, with numbers expected to exceed 30 million by its conclusion on January 6, 2026. Upcoming events include the Jubilee of Movements, Associations, and New Communities (June 7–8), the Jubilee of Priests (June 25–27), and the Jubilee of Youth, (July 28 to August 3), which could bring in over a million young people. (Aleteia)
June 6 Brazil’s 2022 census reveals a significant religious shift, with Catholics now comprising 56.7% of the population, down from 82.9% three decades ago. Evangelicals have surged from 9% to 26.9% in the same period, especially among women and racial minorities, though growth now appears to be slowing. The census also shows a rise in the religiously unaffiliated, now at 9.3%, and growth in Afro-Brazilian religions. (Christianity Today)
June 5 Influential biblical scholar and theologian Walter Brueggemann died age 92. Known for his work on the Hebrew Bible, particularly the prophets, Brueggemann authored over 100 books, including the seminal “The Prophetic Imagination.” A revered preacher and mentor, especially among mainline Protestants, Brueggemann resisted dominant scholarship trends that distanced the reader from the Bible, seeking instead to help pastors hear God’s voice within it. (RNS)
June 5 In Japan’s remote Nagasaki islands, the unique traditions of Hidden Christians, who preserved their faith in secrecy during centuries of persecution as portrayed in the book and movie Silence, are nearing extinction. With most practitioners now elderly, younger generations moving away, and persecution no longer a concern, the rituals and communal bonds that sustained this faith are fading. But efforts to document and preserve its heritage are underway. (RNS)
June 5 In Nigeria’s Benue state, Fulani herdsmen have killed at least 86 Christians in recent weeks, prompting calls for a military emergency. The attacks have left villages devastated, with homes burned and residents displaced. Local leaders accuse security forces of inaction, despite military checkpoints near attack sites. Nigeria remains extremely dangerous for Christians, with thousands killed annually, as highlighted by the 2025 World Watch List. (Christian Daily)
June 4 Cambridge University Press is celebrating 100 years of its iconic KJV Cameo Bible with a Centenary Edition featuring luxurious golden brown calfskin leather, which will develop a unique patina over time. Known for its elegant design and practical reference tools, the Cameo Bible was first released in 1925 for the casual sum of £2,297 (roughly £130,000 or $175,000 today). The Centenary Edition will debut at a rather more modest £235 / $350. (Christian Today)
June 4 Together with other religious minorities, Christians in India are rallying against rising violence and discrimination under the Hindu-nationalist BJP government. The Christian Rohingya community in Delhi, for example, has been facing a severe crackdown, with refugees detained and deported under harsh conditions. The “show of unity,” which has received support from Muslim and other tribe and caste groups, will be held nationwide June 9. (Christian Today / Christianity Today)
June 4 With up to 100,000 U.S. houses of worship at risk of closure in the next decade, some suggest social enterprise as a solution. By generating revenue and reducing costs, faith institutions can repurpose underused spaces like sanctuaries, halls, and kitchens for community services or rentals such as preschools, pickleball courts, or food businesses. Larger projects, like mixed-use developments, are also gaining traction. (Religion Unplugged)
June 3 Get ready for a new kind of Bible influencer. AI “filmmaker” PJ Accetturo has ignited controversy with viral AI-generated videos reimagining Bible characters as modern influencers, such as Jonah vlogging (video blogging) from inside a whale. While some praise the creative attempt to engage with younger audiences, others criticize it as “cringey” and sacrilegious. Either way, this is surely just the beginning of AI’s influence on faith-based storytelling. (RELEVANT)
June 3 A report by the Evangelical Alliance, based on 280 UK adults who became Christians in the last five years, found that a welcoming church (59%) and Bible reading (47%) were the key factors in helping them explore Christianity. Other influences included spiritual experiences (39%), small groups (42%), and the actions of Christians (38%). Many began exploring faith due to dissatisfaction with life (37%) or seeking meaning (34%). (Christian Today)
June 3 In other pastor research news, a Lifeway Research study found that only 1.2% of evangelical and Black Protestant pastors leave ministry annually, a rate unchanged over the past decade. Most departures are due to a change in calling (37%), but burnout (22%) and church conflict (23%) also play a part. Despite often feeling overwhelmed (57%) or isolated (34%), 91% of pastors believe they can stay in their current roles as long as they wish. (Christianity Today)
June 3 Recent studies of U.S. churches reveal a paradox: While 70% of U.S. congregations have 100 or fewer attendees, the largest 9% of churches account for half of all churchgoers. Similarly, while the average church has 70 active members, the average churchgoer worships in a congregation of 360. Despite higher per capita giving and volunteerism, small churches face financial instability and aging memberships. Many expect to close within 10 years. (Lifeway Research)
June 2 American football team the New York Jets’ head coach introduced Bible study sessions as part of the team’s training program. The initiative was revealed through one player’s Instagram post sharing his 5-question worksheet on 1 Timothy 1:12-20. The post generated mixed reactions online, with some fans and players praising the spiritual focus, while others raised concerns about its appropriateness in a professional sports setting. (RELEVANT)
June 2 A recent study led by Dr. Will Gervais of Brunel University London suggests that even in secular societies, atheists may intuitively favor religion over atheism. The research, which involved placing 3,800 participants from eight low-religiosity countries into moral judgment scenarios, found participants were 40% more likely to view actions leading to atheism as intentional harm compared to those promoting religion. This bias persisted even among atheists. (Christian Today)
June 2 Churches across the UK are gearing up for a 36-hour prayer marathon over Pentecost weekend (June 6-8), as part of the Shine Your Light 2025 evangelism initiative. Organized by the National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW), the event aims to unite believers in prayer and outreach amidst national division. The prayer session will include both online gatherings and activities hosted by local churches. (Christian Today)
June 1 A new pope was elected, old graves were exhumed, and old controversies are new again in the World Evangelical Alliance. It was the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and there were gatherings and conferences of the African church, Chinese church in diaspora, Evangelical Press, and more. All that, plus the world’s largest Bible page — catch up on the biggest, strangest, and most inspiring Bible and church news stories of May!
