The Vatican’s Reptilian Jesus: I Understand the Art, but I’m Still Creeped Out
The Vatican has a 66-foot-wide bronze sculpture of the resurrected Jesus that looks like Christ emerging from a nuclear apocalypse—or possibly a reptilian family reunion. I understand the artist’s Cold War symbolism, appreciate the theological message, and reject the internet’s conspiracy theories about secret lizard overlords. But as a Christian, I still have one question: Why does our victorious, resurrected Savior look like something that escaped from a science-fiction horror movie? Sometimes an ugly statue is just an ugly statue. And sometimes understanding the art doesn’t make it any less creepy.