kenstallings-65346
The story of the Apostle Paul is told in unflinching realism. The story of Luke's time in Rome with Paul is told in very realistic terms, even as the lack of documentation requires a degree of artistic license.The movie does a good job in following the historical narratives laid down by several noteworthy Roman historians including Tacitus, Suetonius, and Josephus. The narrative also closely aligns with the Greek historian Cassius Dio's narrative. Those who would doubt the authenticity would do well to read these classic and period narratives first.The major theme is quite obviously the role of compassion and love, even amid great tyranny, in vanquishing evil on human and personal levels. No one can doubt the tyranny of Emperor Nero, who not only is widely blamed for the infamous burning of Rome, that not only destroyed a quarter of Rome, but severely damaged about 80% of the city, but for the outrageous use of Christians as scapegoats for the act. Nero ordered all of the horribly evil events shown in this film.Artistic license was taken with regard to Luke's healing of the Prefect's (modern day prison warden's) daughter, but the context of the act itself is entirely in keeping with documented medical acts performed by Luke. By what is known of the second generation apostle, Luke was a very well trained physician, likely in Greece, but perhaps in other areas as well. He may have been among the best trained physicians of the Mediterranean area at the time he lived.Regardless of the reasons why, we know that Paul was afforded a level of good treatment not widely provided to those condemned by Nero to die. So, we know that something caused this positive consideration even by those ordered to flog and ultimately behead Paul.While we cannot prove by historical narrative that Luke's healing of the Prefect's daughter took place, the action is entirely consistent with Luke's life as well as Paul's. Frankly, regardless, it was just beautiful storytelling!It was nice to see the writers treat the healing in a classical medical manner:
diagnosis, immediate treatment, and recovery treatment. The purpose of the telling in this film is to bring forward the concept of compassion and love as methods of turning enemies into friends. In that purpose, the event is realistically portrayed, and strikes a profound message. Today, doctors are expected to treat anyone who is affirmed, including an enemy.Most scholars agree that what is presented in the film's epilogue is accurate, that Luke authored the Biblical Acts of the Apostles. In that regard, the telling of the interaction between the two is a powerful and gripping narrative at the heart of the film's success. This film is primarily about the teachings of Paul even as it explores the life and actions of Luke. In that regard, it serves as a valuable addition.The lamentable truth is that the person who writes the narrative, in this case Luke and his Acts of the Apostles, is often relatively unknown compared to the lives he chronicles. We know that Luke was very well educated in the Greek system, and the author who wrote the Acts of the Apostles wrote in a manner of a well educated man.So, while we cannot verify that the precise events carried out by Luke happened as portrayed in this film, the facts that Luke met with Paul during this time, and chronicled the life of the Apostles, including Paul, is without serious doubt. To that end, this movie tells a beautiful story in a most realistic manner.In that way, it serves as a most valuable chapter of storytelling in a modern era with great evil, such as ISIS, trying to regain a presence in the world. The film noticeably portrays a powerful redemption with the Prefect, but not with Nero. In that regard, it does not attempt to say that all men are reachable through salvation, but that those who seek it shall find it!
bkoganbing
If there's one thing you learn from Paul, Apostle Of Christ it's how important
scribes were back in the day. We meet James Faulkner as Paul the Apostle who
did more than anyone else to spread the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and to
make permanent his church.This film takes place toward the end of his life in 67 AD when Emperor Nero has
set fire to the city of Rome and then cast the blame on a sect known as Christians.
That part of the story can be seen in big budget Hollywood extravaganzas Quo
Vadis and The Sign Of The Cross with some colorful Neros Peter Ustinov and
Charles Laughton respectively. Nero makes no appearance here, but we see the fear he's instilled in the Christians, the more so because their leader Paul is in a Roman prison with Prefect Olivier Martinez in charge. He's got other things on his mind such as
a questioning wife and a sick daughter.Faulkner as Paul is concerned about only one thing, that the story of his life
get out while he can get it told. The telling he does is to Luke the physician,
who besides healing as his profession requires is also a scribe. Luke is credited
with writing his own gospel of Jesus and the Book of Acts telling of the lives and work of the disciples of Christ and others who spread the Word.It's to Luke that Paul entrusts with getting out a final letter to Timothy over
in Ephesus where the Christians have a somewhat thriving church. Luke has
an additional mission to treat Olivier Martinez's daughter. It's the mingling of
the missions that's the basis of this film.Luke purportedly lived and died at a ripe old age essentially because he was
entrusted as a scribe. For Paul and the rest of the Christian community they
were scheduled to have all kinds of death with being lion lunch for most and
a beheading for Paul.This is a most reverential film and I'm in agreement with others a feeling of
hopelessness prevails as regard to this life on earth. Jim Caviezel is a fine Luke
and Faulkner is a stoic and spiritual Paul.Special mention should go to Darryl Luke Vassallo playing a young Roman orphan whom the Christians take in. His martyrdom will make a Medusa shed
a tear.
rushmoor3
Was VERY disappointed with this movie. I suppose if a movie was made about the Acts of the Apostles, all we would see is the last days of their lives and the gist of the movie being about how Christians were persecuted. Nothing about Paul's life but a few small flashbacks. If you're going to entitle a movie "Paul, Apostle of Christ" why not make it a biography? Like it was stated at the end of this movie: Luke wrote extensively about Paul in the book of Acts. So why didn't the writers act upon all that information and include it in this movie. Imagine if the only movie ever made about Jesus was just on the last hours of his life. How disappointing that would be because He and Paul were so much more than just prisoners. We Christians already know the story of Paul. I guess that's why I'm so disappointed, was expecting so much more. I really wanted to hear him preach and watch him start all the new churches. Where did Paul come from and where did he go after meeting Jesus? Of course if you really want those answers, don't watch the movie because it didn't tell. Read the book of Acts. It's all there. Was really hoping to see his life in live action. Disappointing.
