Russell Brand says that Christianity and Jesus are becoming more important to him as he explores topics such as suffering and purpose—and that this growing importance is why he wears a cross. Among those who responded to Brand online are Pastor Greg Laurie, who shared the gospel with the actor and said he was praying for him.
“The reason I wear a cross is because Christianity, and in particular, the figure of Christ, are, it seems to me, inevitably becoming more important as I become more familiar with suffering, purpose, self and not self,” said Brand in a video posted to social media on Sunday, Jan. 21. Brand mentioned that he is “reading the Bible a lot more, and, as I’ve told you before, I’m reading Rick Warren’s ‘Purpose Driven Life.’”
Why I Wear A Cross!
I’m interested to hear what YOU think, let me know. pic.twitter.com/kMcyYgvl7o— Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) January 21, 2024
Brand recently revealed that he is also reading C.S. Lewis’ book, “The Problem of Pain.”
Russell Brand’s Changing View of Christianity
Russell Brand is a stand-up comedian, actor and former radio host who now hosts several podcasts, including one focused on spirituality and meditation. He is something of a controversial figure who has been accused of spreading conspiracy theories and recently received several sexual assault allegations.
“When I grew up, Christianity seemed like it was either really irrelevant and old-fashioned and sort of dusty and sort of incense and sort of Anno Domini,” Brand explained in his video Sunday, saying the last two words in a singsong voice with hand motions.
“Or they tried to modernize it, and it seems just like, ‘Right, ok, we’re gonna talk about Jesus,’” he continued, again using a comical voice while mimicking playing a guitar. “And like both of those routes seem like, ‘I don’t know if there’s anything for me.’”
However, Brand says that over time he has come to see Christianity as more than these two extremes. “I suppose it takes a certain amount of adulthood, and it might be different for all of us,” he said. “For me it seems that it’s taken quite a lot to recognize that you need, I need a personal relationship with God.”
“It occurred to me that…instead of always talking to myself inwardly, I could replace one of those voices with an indwelling God,” Brand said. “It says in Galatians it is our job to die so that as Christ died on the cross, he might be reborn in us.”
