The Enduring Power Of Jesus
The actual observance of Christianity is plummeting in modern-day Britain, but in the arts, the religion's narratives and iconography remain powerful sources of both inspiration and controversy - from the very successful music of classical composers James MacMillan and John Tavener to artist Chris Ofili's notorious Holy Virgin Mary (the one with the elephant dung) and sculptor Terence Koh's depiction of Jesus with an erection to Jerry Springer: The Opera and David Hare's play Gethsemane to the BBC1 television series Apparitions, about a contemporary priest chasing Satan away from souls. How does the subject of Christianity continue to engage artists and audiences, even as belief wanes? The Guardian (UK) 11/26/08

Posted December 2, 2008 09:42 PM