RNS Morning Report - In ‘House of David,’ can the Old Testament inspire a TV hit?

Top Stories In ‘House of David,’ can the Old Testament inspire a TV hit? (RNS) — Amid the runaway success of ‘The Chosen,’ biblical dramas are having a moment.   Vatican says Pope Francis continues to improve but his prognosis remains guarded ROME (AP) — For the second day in a row, doctors avoided saying Francis was in critical condition.   Conservative Christian media leaders disagree over Trump’s treatment of AP GRAPEVINE, Texas (RNS) — Normally supportive of the president’s decisions, attendees at the annual conference of religious broadcasters expressed ambivalence about a squabble over what to call the Gulf of Mexico.   Martin E. Marty, religion historian and ‘churchman in the most serious way,’ dies at 97 (RNS) — Marty was a giant in the study of American Christianity and the fundamentalist movement in major faiths around the globe. He was also a warmhearted friend, mentor and pastor to many.     RNS Opinion Jews cannot remain silent about the murders of Christians in Congo (RNS) — The world is silent when they kill Jews. Let Jews not be silent when they kill Christians.   Gender diversity is a question of religious diversity (RNS) — This ideology has no room for religious diversity and no value for people of other faiths and their theologies.   ICYMI Boycotts accompany prayer as faith leaders prepare for a Lent of protest (RNS) — The Rev. Jamal Bryant said he hopes 100,000 ‘conscientious Christians’ will have signed up by March 5 to mark the ‘season of denial’ by fasting from shopping at Target.   Decline in American Christian observance has slowed, Pew study finds (RNS) – ‘The U.S. is a spiritual place, a religious place, where we’ve seen signs of religious stabilization in the midst of longer-term decline,’ said Gregory Smith, a senior associate director of research at Pew Research Center. In Other News ‘Testing ground for Project 2025’: behind Oklahoma’s rightwing push to erode the line between church and state New Jersey governor launches program to bring abortionists to state   Depend on our reporting? Help us out! As a nonprofit newsroom that covers all faiths, RNS sits uniquely at the intersection of freedom of the press and freedom of religion. You can support this work! News tips or feedback? Email comments@religionnews.com Like the Morning Report? Share it with a friend Forwarded this newsletter? Subscribe here We rely on reader donations to power our reporting. Donate here. Or send a check to: Religion News Foundation PO Box 1808 Columbia, MO 65205