Comedian, actor, and podcast host Russell Brand recently shared that he finds Christianity and Jesus Christ increasingly significant as he ages.
“I wear a cross because Christianity and, specifically, the figure of Christ is, to me, becoming more important as I grapple with suffering, purpose, self, and not-self,” Brand stated in a video posted on X last Saturday.
As reported by The Christian Post, Brand mentioned that he has been “reading the Bible a lot more” and delving into Rick Warren’s The Purpose-Driven Life. In his earlier years, Christianity did not appeal to Brand due to it appearing either “really irrelevant and old-fashioned and sort of dusty” or too modernized.
Russell Brand Emphasizes the Significance of Reading the Bible to Him (Credits: Charisma Magazine)
However, Brand’s perspective on Christianity has evolved with his journey into “a certain amount of adulthood,” leading him to recognize the need for a personal relationship with God.
“I realized that instead of constantly talking to myself inwardly, I could replace one of those voices with an indwelling God. It says in Galatians it’s our job to die so that, as Christ died on the cross, he might be reborn in us,” he said, referencing Galatians 2:20.
Several Christians expressed support and encouragement for Brand in response to his video. Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship noted that he, too, was once put off by Christianity until he heard the Gospel.
Last month, Brand shared his engagement with the Bible and C.S. Lewis’s book, The Problem of Pain, which explores suffering in a Christian context.
Brand’s continued interest in Christianity comes amid allegations of sexual misconduct, with four women claiming he sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013. In response, Brand dismissed the “very serious criminal allegations,” asserting that his past sexual relationships were always consensual.
In a previous interview with Tucker Carlson, Brand emphasized the role of spirituality and the need for God in coping with the challenges of the world. Despite facing struggles with self-discipline and the allure of stardom, he expressed a growing connection to the teachings of Christ.
In a 2018 interview with Relevant Magazine, Brand highlighted the relevance of Christ’s teachings in the present day.
Milton Quintanilla, a freelance writer and content creator, is a contributing writer for Christian Headlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast. He holds a Master of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
