We in the West must constantly seek out reminders of what real hardship looks like. Last week I was given a screener for “Paul, Apostle of Christ,” starring Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus in “The Passion of the Christ,” as well as James Faulkner from “Downton Abbey.” This biblical movie was just such a reminder, not only of what it’s like to endure persecution for the name of Christ, but of the fact that the Apostles and early Christians were real people who didn’t know they would become living legends–or even that anyone would remember their stories.
The film, directed by Andrew Hyatt, takes place during Paul’s second imprisonment in Rome, after his appearance before Emperor Nero ends in a death sentence. The least of the Apostles (Faulkner) is locked in the deepest dungeon in Rome, under the charge of a suspicious and ruthless prefect (Olivier Martinez), and seems to believe his part in the Church’s story is over. That’s when Luke (Caviezel) shows up to encourage his old friend and to write down his story. Having recently finished his gospel, the Greek physician believes the Christian world needs to know and remember the man who brought it the Good News. He wants to pen a sequel to the book of Luke, which will follow the life and ministry of Paul–we know that book, of course, as Acts.
But much stands in Luke’s way. Paul’s time on earth is slipping away like sand in an hour glass, and his Roman captors are none-too-eager to allow Luke to smuggle his notes out of the Apostle’s cell.
Read more at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/troublerofisrael/2018/03/why-dying-is-gain-a-review-of-paul-apostle-of-christ/#iXImDiC2QoTC551q.99
apostle, Bible, film, jim caviezel, movie, pacifism, Paul, Review
