Here it is, your source for all the latest Bible-related and Bible-adjacent news from the month of June 2025 — from archaeological discoveries and academic research to cultural events and conversations, developments in the global church, and more.
Updated throughout the month.
Week of July 20
- July 21 — The recent Israel-Iran conflict has disrupted biblical archaeology efforts, halting excavations across Israel during the peak dig season. Teams at sites like Tel Shikhin and Caesarea Maritima were forced to evacuate, while others, like Tel Shimron, canceled plans entirely. Some scholars are using this unexpected pause to analyze and publish findings from previous digs. Meanwhile, limited excavations continue with local teams in safer areas. (Christianity Today)
- July 21 — Minno, a Christian streaming platform for children, is launching the first-ever American Sign Language (ASL) Bible series for kids, starting August 8, 2025. Partnering with Bridge Multimedia, the ASL adaptation of Laugh and Grow Bible for Kids aims to make the Gospel accessible to deaf children. Minno is also expanding its Spanish and Portuguese content, including a new bilingual preschool series, Guillermo & Will. (Christian Daily)
Week of July 13
- July 18 — Often overlooked or misunderstood, the Song of Solomon offers profound spiritual insights beyond its celebration of marital love. The book was historically cherished by figures like Charles Spurgeon and Jonathan Edwards, who argued that it symbolizes the love between Christ and his church. By reading it through a Christ-centered lens, believers can deepen their understanding of divine love. (The Gospel Coalition)
- July 18 — Recent research by Youth for Christ, the latest in the ongoing conversation around the “Quiet Revival” in the UK (see July 5 below), suggests growing spiritual interest among young people in the UK, with 52% identifying as Christian and 35% as followers of Jesus — a 12% increase over five years. The study highlights the openness of Gen Alpha (ages 11-18) to faith, with 53% willing to attend church if invited by a friend. (Christian Today)
- July 17 — Bible-based TV continues to be having a moment. Currently streaming on Angel Studios, Testament sets the Book of Acts in a dystopian, modern Britain, blending ancient themes with contemporary visuals and emotional depth. Meanwhile, FOX’s The Faithful, which will premiere on Hulu next March, focuses on the women of Genesis, with Minnie Driver starring as Sarah in a drama exploring love, faith, and family. (Christianity Today and RELEVANT)
- July 17 — On July 13, 92 individuals publicly declared their faith in Jesus through a mass baptism at Bournemouth Beach, England. Organized by five local churches, the event included worship, testimonies, and celebrations, drawing hundreds of onlookers. Participants shared powerful stories of transformation, including Hope, who found peace in Christ after a life of anxiety, and Jack, a former atheist moved by the evidence of Jesus’ life and sacrifice. (Christian Daily)
- July 16 — The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has launched the Acts 2 Movement, a global initiative aimed at uniting Baptists worldwide to advance mission, evangelism, and justice in preparation for the 2,000th anniversary of Pentecost in 2033. Announced at the 23rd Baptist World Congress in Australia, the movement focuses on five paths: Bible engagement, witness, care, neighborly outreach, and religious freedom (Christianity Daily)
- July 16 — After six Americans were detained in South Korea for attempting to send Bibles, rice, and USB drives to North Korea via bottles launched into the sea, Christian groups have raised concerns that the incident could backfire, hindering efforts to reach North Koreans. While some organizations, like Voice of the Martyrs Korea, continue discreet Bible distribution, others urge more strategic collaboration with underground North Korean Christians. (Christianity Today)
- July 15 — Is the Bible the “most dangerous book in the world“? A common target of authoritarian regimes, the Bible remains banned or restricted in 52 nations due to its transformative power. Open Doors, celebrating its 70th anniversary, reflects on the risks Christians take to access Scripture, from Soviet-era smuggling to modern digital distribution. In countries like North Korea and China, owning a Bible can lead to severe punishment, yet believers continue to treasure it as a source of life and hope. (Christian Today)
- July 15 — Amid a ceasefire with Israel, Iran has intensified its persecution of Christians, arresting at least 21 believers and targeting house churches, according to Article 18. Converts from Islam face heightened scrutiny, with authorities accusing underground churches of Western ties. Religious freedom advocates highlight the regime’s broader crackdown on minorities, including forced Islamic indoctrination for Christian children. (Baptist Press)
- July 14 — Archaeologists in Jordan have uncovered the ancient Christian settlement of Tharais. Guided by the ancient Madaba Map, the researchers located the remains of the Byzantine settlement, which had been abandoned by the 7th century due to trade shifts, earthquakes, and Islamic expansion. The discovery includes a basilica-style church with mosaic floors, an olive oil press, and inscriptions linked to Christian funerary practices. (Jerusalem Post)
- July 14 — John MacArthur, beloved and influential pastor of Grace Community Church and voice of the “Grace to You” radio ministry, died age 86 of pneumonia. Renowned for his expository preaching and prolific writing, including the best-selling MacArthur Study Bible, he also drew controversy for his stances on gender roles, charismatic movements, and social justice. Yet the global impact of his decades-long ministry helped shape evangelicalism, and his passing marks the end of an era both celebrated and polarizing in American Christianity. (Christianity Today and RNS)
- July 14 — A 2,000-year-old shipwreck was discovered off Adrasan, Turkey, containing hundreds of well-preserved ceramics still arranged in their original rows. Found 130 feet underwater, the cargo was protected by unbaked clay coatings, providing unprecedented insight into ancient shipping logistics around the time of Jesus’ birth. The artifacts will be displayed in Turkey’s upcoming Mediterranean Underwater Archaeology Museum. (Biblical Archaeology Society)
- July 13 — Renowned New Testament scholar N.T. Wright challenged the common belief that early Christians, including Jesus and Paul, expected the world to end within a generation. Speaking on his podcast, Wright clarified that references to events “within a generation” in the NT pertain to the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, not the end of the world. Quoting 2 Peter 3:8, Wright emphasized that early Christians anticipated a future renewal of creation by God. (Christianity Daily)
Week of July 6
- July 11 — The latest chapter of the American Bible Society’s 2025 “State of the Bible” report affirms that reading Scripture surpasses common self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and socializing in reducing stress, anxiety, and loneliness while boosting hope. Those who volunteered in their local communities “put up the most positive numbers,” the researchers wrote. Additionally, 94% of daily readers felt reassured of God’s care during hardships. (Baptist Press and American Bible Society)
- July 11 — A practice run of the ancient red heifer purification ceremony, described in Numbers 19, was held on July 1 in northern Israel. Organized by Rabbi Yitzchak Mamo and funded by Texas businessman Byron Stinson, the ritual involved burning a blemish-free red heifer, a step some believe could pave the way for rebuilding a Jewish temple in Jerusalem. The ceremony, tied to biblical prophecy (Rev. 11), aims to purify people in preparation for future sacrificial events. (RNS)
- July 11 — The Catholic Church took 17 days to elect a new Pope — so why is the Church of England taking over a year to select a new Archbishop of Canterbury? Electors and candidates must confront major controversies such as whether to appoint the first female archbishop and how to handle same-sex marriage and abuse scandals. Many argue the role, which demands balancing spiritual leadership, state duties, and uniting a fractured church, has “become impossible.” (The Guardian)
- July 10 — Christian leaders representing 80% of Australian church members are gathering in Brisbane for the Australian Evangelism Roundtable on July 11–12. Organized by the Baptist World Alliance, GO Movement, and Finishing the Task, the event aims to unite denominations for national evangelism. With Australia’s Christian population declining from 96.1% in 1901 to 44% in 2021, leaders see this as a “Kairos moment” for Australian revival. (Christian Daily)
- June 9 — Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, was a small fishing village in his day. Now, it is a diverse, multi-faith city of 80,000 — but its streets remain dense with biblical history. Sites include the Basilica of the Annunciation (Lk 1:26–38), and St. Joseph’s Church, once a carpenter’s shop. Visitors can also explore a recreated first-century settlement and landmarks like Mt. Precipice (Lk 4:28–30) and follow Christ’s footsteps on the Jesus Trail. (Biblical Archaeology Society)
- June 9 — In 1999, U.S. Navy officer John Meyer single-handedly coded the Catholic Catechism into HTML, making it accessible online — a fact that only became known last month thanks to a viral Facebook post that begins, “You can just do things.” Frustrated by the lack of digital resources, Meyer scanned and meticulously digitized the Catechism over nine months, working evenings and weekends. He eventually received Vatican approval, and his work became a global resource. (Aleteia)
- July 8 — It can be easy to lose sight of the good things happening around the world amid the regular news cycle. Gen Z’s faith is growing, with Bible engagement among men up 19% last year. Over a dozen African nations have eradicated local diseases, benefiting 1.6 billion people. Global extreme poverty hit a record low of 8% in 2024. Coral reefs are showing signs of recovery. And U.S. recidivism rates improved, with 62% of 2012 prison releases staying out after five years. (RELEVANT)
- July 8 — Erton Köhler was elected the first South American president of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, a global Protestant denomination with 23 million members across 200 countries. Köhler emphasized unity amidst political polarization and aims to engage youth, expand women’s leadership, and leverage technology for outreach. Known for promoting healthy living, Adventists advocate vegetarianism and abstinence from alcohol and tobacco. (RNS)
- July 8 — The IRS clarified that the Johnson Amendment, which restricts nonprofits from endorsing political candidates, does not apply to religious services. Critics have long argued the law is unconstitutional, while supporters warn that weakening it could turn the church into a political tool and harm its witness. American Christians largely agree, with 70% believing clergy should not endorse political candidates. The IRS has only ever enforced the law once, in 1992. (RNS)
- July 8 — In a heartbreaking story from the Texas floods, Catholic sisters Blair and Brooke Harber, 13 and 11, were found holding hands and clutching rosary beads, 15 miles downstream from the cabin where they were staying with their grandparents. Moved by their final moments, the sisters’ community is rallying around the grieving family with prayers and support — and the faith “that Christ has defeated death, and that eternal life is waiting for those who love Him.” (Aleteia)
- July 6 — Flash floods in Texas have devastated Camp Mystic, a historic Christian girls’ camp, leaving at least 43 dead, including 15 children, and more still missing. Rescue efforts have saved over 850 people, but families remain anxious as search operations continue. The Southern Baptist Convention has deployed rescue teams while prayers arrive from all corners, including Christian author Beth Moore, pastor Franklin Graham, and Pope Leo XIV. (AP and Christian Today)
Week of June 29
- July 5 — Some experts are calling into question the report of a “Quiet Revival” in England. Although a recent Bible Society report found a significant rise in church attendance, particularly among young men, from 2018 to 2024, attendance reports from the largest UK denominations (Anglican and Catholic) suggest about a 20% drop in attendance during that period — though attendance is gradually recovering from COVID-era lows. Only time will tell which statistics are correct. (Religion Unplugged)
- July 3 — A volunteer at the American Baptist archive in Massachusetts accidentally discovered a 5-foot-long anti-slavery scroll signed by 116 New England Baptist ministers in 1847. “A Resolution and Protest Against Slavery” was found in pristine condition, untouched since the late 1800s. Adopted 2 years after the issue caused a schism between Northern and Southern Baptists, the document sheds light on pre-Civil War abolitionist debates and their impact on the history of American Christianity. (AP)
- July 3 — A mass grave containing the bodies of eight Christian leaders was discovered in Calamar, Colombia. The victims, members of Evangelical Denominations of the Alliance of Colombia and the Foursquare Church, were conducting humanitarian work when they were abducted in April by FARC militants. Colombian President Gustavo Petro and international organizations condemned the murders. (Christian Daily)
- July 2 — A survey of U.S. Catholics revealed they overwhelmingly define their faith through a “personal relationship with Jesus Christ.” Devotion to Mary, helping the poor, receiving the Eucharist, and Church marriage also ranked highly. The study also found that 47% of Americans have some connection to Catholicism, though only 20% are practicing. (Aleteia and Pew Research)
- July 2 — In the latest in a string of legal victories for Christian schools in America, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the United Methodist Church (UMC) can proceed with its lawsuit to retain governance over Southern Methodist University (SMU). The legal battle began in 2019 when UMC alleged breach of contract after SMU’s board of trustees amended its articles of incorporation to delete the phrase “to be forever owned, maintained and controlled” by the denomination. (The Christian Century)
- June 30 — A new poll of U.S. adults reveals nuanced opinions about religion in public schools. While 58% support religious chaplains, only 44% favor teachers leading prayer. Most oppose mandatory prayer time, and opinions are split on taxpayer-funded vouchers for religious schools. In general, white evangelicals and non-white Protestants are more likely to support such activities, followed by Catholics, then mainline Protestants, while the religiously unaffiliated are (unsurprisingly) opposed. (Catholic News Agency)
- June 29 — Two Brazilian nuns have become viral sensations after their breakdancing and beatboxing performance on a Catholic TV show captivated millions. Their song “Vocation,” a techno-pop track about God’s calling, has drawn global attention and inspired over 50 women to inquire about joining their congregation. The nuns aim to connect with youth and promote Christian faith, particularly in a time when Catholicism in Brazil faces declining numbers. (The New York Times)
- June 29 — AI Bible characters take over social media. An all-ages Bible study video game. Commemorating the birthday of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and looking forward to more Bible TV. China forces Christians forced to sing communist anthems while Russia tortures Ukrainian evangelicals. How long was Jesus’ hair? And do atheists prefer religion to atheism? All this plus tons of Bible, church, and pastor statistics — catch up on the biggest, strangest, and most inspiring Bible and church news stories of June!
Reading news about the Bible is great — but reading the Good News of the Bible is better! Bible Gateway Plus offers Study Bibles, commentaries, encyclopedias, and tons more resources to help you get more from God’s Word — all for less than $5/mo. Start your free trial today!
Bible Gateway is the internet's premier Bible reading and research tool. With more than 200 versions of the Bible in over 70 languages freely available to read, research, and reference anywhere — plus a library of audio Bibles, mobile apps, devotionals, email newsletters, and more — Bible Gateway equips you not only to read the Bible, but to understand it.