The Academy Awards will be held next month and one of the movies vying for multiple trophies is the film "Silence." What makes the movie unique, however, is the rapturous praise and critical adoration it has received from the religious community in the United States.
Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson, the Martin Scorsese-directed film is about two Jesuit priests who, during the 17th century, travel from Portugal to Japan to spread Catholicism while they are trying to find their missing mentor. When they reach Japan, they were greeted by a culture that is resistant to the teachings of Christ.
What makes "Silence" a great religious movie for Christians all over the world is it gives a peak to the struggles missionaries and priests went through to spread God's word. In fact, the film itself has been described by many film critics as being an "experience."
Even its main star, Andrew Garfield has been quoted to have been greatly influenced by his experience filming due to his research on the work of Jesuits. Garfield, coincidentally, also stars in another film that has religious connections. In the movie "Hacksaw Ridge," he plays Desmond Doss, a pacifist Seventh-day Adventist known for being a conscientious objector who saved a lot of his fellow soldiers during World War II. But in his role in "Silence," Garfield shines.
"Silence" is currently out in select theaters in the United States. Watch the trailer for "Silence" in the video below.
The Academy Awards will be held next month and one of the movies vying for multiple trophies is the film "Silence." What makes the movie unique, however, is the rapturous praise and critical adoration it has received from the religious community in the United States.
Starring Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver and Liam Neeson, the Martin Scorsese-directed film is about two Jesuit priests who, during the 17th century, travel from Portugal to Japan to spread Catholicism while they are trying to find their missing mentor. When they reach Japan, they were greeted by a culture that is resistant to the teachings of Christ.
What makes "Silence" a great religious movie for Christians all over the world is it gives a peak to the struggles missionaries and priests went through to spread God's word. In fact, the film itself has been described by many film critics as being an "experience."
Even its main star, Andrew Garfield has been quoted to have been greatly influenced by his experience filming due to his research on the work of Jesuits. Garfield, coincidentally, also stars in another film that has religious connections. In the movie "Hacksaw Ridge," he plays Desmond Doss, a pacifist Seventh-day Adventist known for being a conscientious objector who saved a lot of his fellow soldiers during World War II. But in his role in "Silence," Garfield shines.
"Silence" is currently out in select theaters in the United States. Watch the trailer for "Silence" in the video below.
Why Martin Scorsese's "Silence" Could Be One Of The Greatest Religious Movies Ever
On November 14, Dr. Brian C. Stiller hosted a webinar exploring Principle 3: Exercise Your Faith, the third chapter of his book 7 Ancient Principles for 21st Century Leaders. This book draws lessons from the biblical story of Nehemiah to guide leaders in building and renewing organizations and ministries.
On November 10, the Shanghai International Choral League (SICL) hosted a concert featuring a selection of classic and timeless large-scale choral and orchestral works at Shanghai Oriental Art Center’s Concert Hall.
In July 2024, the renowned American Chinese film director and star Joan Chen released her latest work, Catfish, a memory that spans over a century. Notably, she puts faith in an indispensable position, leaving a memorable mark on her growth.
In her essay Responding to Persecution and Marginalization of Christians, New Testament scholar Chee-Chiew Lee examines how New Testament authors approached persecution, offering guidance for contemporary Asian Christians seeking to respond faithfully to challenges in their contexts.
A virtual book launch for Exploring the New Testament in Asia: Evangelical Perspective took place at 8 p.m. Manila time, on November 5, presenting an addition to the Foundations in Asian Christian Thought (FACT) series published by Langham Publishing and the Asia Theological Association (ATA).
Forty years after the release of the original JESUS film, Jesus Film Project® is releasing an updated edition of founder Paul Eshleman’s book, I Just Saw Jesus. The new edition features a heartfelt foreword written by Eshleman’s daughter, Jenn Huff, as well as refreshed cover art. The book was officially released in October 2024.
Throughout the ages, Christians have laid a profound foundation for contemporary believers. The early church preserved and shared sacred texts, ensuring the Bible's survival and accessibility for future generations. Missionaries ventured into unchartered territories, spreading the faith and fostering intercultural exchanges. They used the technology and resources available to them at the time, from Roman roads to reach new communities, to the Gutenberg Press to produce Bibles. These efforts collectively allow us, as Christians today, to continue the mission of making disciples.
The platform in the film mirrors our world, with its hierarchical structure, stark resource distribution, and fierce competition. People are often quick to ignore others’ needs to secure their interests.
The first edition of the book Gospel and Anti-opium: Protestant Missionaries and the Rise and Fall of the Opium Trade in Late Qing China (1807-1911) was published, exploring the role missionaries played in opium trade and analyzing the reasons behind and significance of the transition.
