Kathie Lee Gifford's analysis of the Bible's 'evil presences' sheds light on contemporary conflicts.

Historically, Herod the Great was a significant figure in the political landscape of the ancient world, although he is barely mentioned in the biblical narrative.

He mingled with Antony and Cleopatra, the ultimate power couple of their era.

By most standards, Herod was considered evil, despite being a brilliant architect and politician.

Kathie Lee Gifford, a well-known television personality and author, became a little obsessed with him.

In an interview, Gifford expressed fascination with the portrayal of massive, evil presences in scripture, which are consistently positioned in opposition to God's goodness and His hope.

Gifford has introduced a series of books that focus on the "evil presences" mentioned in the Bible. The first book in the series, "Herod and Mary: The True Story of the Tyrant King and the Mother of the Risen Savior," has just been released.

Gifford has conducted interviews about her new book from her hospital bed at TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, just like she did for Fox's "Lighthouse Faith" podcast.

Gifford experienced an unforeseen health issue a few weeks ago when she fell and fractured her pelvis after having a hip replacement. She stated, "The pain from breaking my pelvis in both the front and back is even more intense than the hip replacement."

Since being released from the hospital, she has only praise for her physicians and medical care.

"It's truly amazing," she said. "I had two incredible men who operated on me and said, 'I'll take good care of you, Kathy.'"

Her focus is now on narrating the biblical account of God's handling of evil.

Gifford stated, "I am frequently asked, 'Do you believe there is more evil in the world now than previously?'"

"I consistently state that if we go back to the Garden of Eden, where God conversed with Adam and Eve in the evening, evil was present in the form of the serpent, and Satan was there too. Therefore, it's not surprising that evil still exists in the world."

"People are always asking me, 'Do you think there's more evil in the world today than there was before?'"

Although he had a limited role in the biblical account, Herod was an exceptionally intelligent individual.

Historians continue to discuss his construction works, including the Jerusalem temple and the fortresses of Herodium and Masada.

He was a paranoid villain who murdered or ordered the murder of several family members, including his beloved wife, out of suspicion and a need to maintain power.

The Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament is the only place where Herod is mentioned in the Bible. He is known for issuing the edict that ordered the killing of all male children under two years old, based on a prophecy from the wise men about a new king being born to the Jews.

They saw "a star in the East."

Gifford examines in his book how evil does not hinder God's ultimate good plan, while the power and prestige differences between Herod and Mary are strikingly evident.

Gifford is adamant about explaining how evil working its way through the Bible or in the lives of people today is nothing to fear.

In the midst of despair, when people believed nothing worse could occur, a miraculous event unfolded in the womb of a teenage girl from Nazareth.

Discussing Herod and Mary during the Christmas season may seem unusual, as it is part of the heartwarming tale of The Star of Bethlehem, "no room at the inn," shepherds in the field, and other joyful elements of the Christmas story.

Gifford is resolute in asserting that the presence of evil in the Bible or in our lives is not something to be feared, as God maintains control.

He was in charge in the Garden — and is still sovereign.

Humans are doomed because they are sin-based creatures, driven by their own emotions and fears, and there is no divine intervention to correct their course.

The quintessential form of war is evident today, but there are also more subtle patterns, such as the controversial Paris Olympics opening ceremony, which featured a drag queen parody of Leonardo DaVinci's "The Last Supper."

The momentous occasion in Christianity is the new covenant that Jesus establishes between God and man. Even Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his concern, stating, "Freedom of expression and tolerance should not be used to disrespect human dignity or mock religious and moral values."

Social media is exploding as Christians note that the film not only mocks Christianity but Jesus Himself.

The newly released film "Deadpool and Wolverine" has sparked outrage among Christians on social media, who argue that it not only mocks Christianity but also Jesus Himself. The lead character, who is referred to as "Marvel Jesus," is crucified on screen.

Craig Huey, a conservative speaker and author, stated that the movie is deliberately disrespectful and promotes wickedness and immorality.

The horror film "Lumina," despite receiving negative reviews from RogerEbert.com, has a marketing slogan that should raise concerns among people of faith. It advises viewers to "fear the light and embrace the darkness."

The Bible's statement, "God is light, and in Him there is no darkness," contradicts the spiritually dark directive.

The struggle between right and wrong is deeply ingrained in every individual. Yet, who is willing to sacrifice a part of themselves to defeat evil?

Herod believed he could control God by eliminating those he thought would challenge his authority, but it resulted in a tragic lesson.

Herod's wickedness led to his downfall. His excessive sexual desires resulted in a diseased body and an insane mind. He died in torment, with no one else to blame but himself.

Although Herod tried to thwart her, Mary, a devoted and uncomplicated Jewish teenager, followed God's instructions and gave birth to Jesus, whom Christians consider to be the long-awaited Messiah.

This is how God works.

Gifford quoted scripture, saying, "Though there will be difficulties in this world, do not let your heart be troubled. For I have conquered the world, and we must remember that."