Modern Adaptation of Biblical Stories Debuts
A new TV series from Angel Studios invites viewers to engage with biblical narratives set in the contemporary world. While the series portrays events in the 21st century, it strives to maintain the transformative essence of the original stories.
This live-action series, titled Books, presents modern-day disciples navigating a society overwhelmed by conflict and fear while embodying the hopeful vision of a resurrected Messiah. It’s available on Angel Studios’ platform.
Coach Paul Silstad, associated with the project, emphasizes the aim to enhance understanding of the Bible among both believers and non-believers. He notes that many people struggle to see how the ancient texts relate to their lives today.
“In sermons or when I preach, we encourage reflections on the early church as a guide. It’s common to invite people to envision themselves back in that time,” he explained in an interview. However, he recognizes that not everyone finds it easy to connect with ancient settings like tunics and sandals. “I get that many are put off by that. I wanted to tell the same story, but in a way that’s more relatable for today’s audience—like figures such as Peter, John, and Mary,” Silstad added.
The series will feature well-known biblical characters like Paul, Barnabas, Peter, and Stephen, but it will take place two millennia later. Interestingly, this modern adaptation will not incorporate contemporary digital technology, such as smartphones or computers.
“I don’t believe we can discuss topics associated with the digital age,” Silstad noted. He pointed out that the letters of Paul, which were among the first forms of communication, still had a profound impact, albeit without the immediacy of today’s digital messaging.
This trend of reimagining classic narratives has gained traction in recent years. For instance, adaptations like the 2018 version of Little Women and Disney Plus’ Percy Jackson and the Olympians have successfully merged historical elements with modern contexts. Even the Broadway musical Hamilton reinterprets American history through a diverse lens.
Silstad also directs an upcoming film, Fellowship, which recounts the relationship between authors C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien.
“Our goal is to re-engage viewers with stories they know while also appealing to non-believers,” Silstad stated. “We’ve aimed to create an adventure drama that’s filled with excitement and thought-provoking moments, so people can see that the Bible is not just an ancient text, but a thrilling collection of stories. It’s our hope that this approach will resonate with newcomers.”
In this creative endeavor, the team invites audiences to take a closer look at the Book of Acts, suggesting that there’s much to discover and appreciate within its pages.
