The Oracle of God: New Testament Stories

The upcoming film, set to debut next month, delves into the historical journey of how the Gospels and the New Testament came to be. Director Erin Zimmerman from CBN Films shared that development for the film kicked off in 2017 and took about five years. Although filming began in 2019, the project faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Zimmerman mentioned in an interview that production resumed in 2023, with a summer spent in Israel for pre-production. Filming was supposed to start in October 2023, but was interrupted when Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. At that moment, she found herself questioning the purpose behind all the preparation they’d undertaken, feeling like, perhaps, there was a bigger plan at play.

Even with these setbacks, Zimmerman began to see the unfolding of the project as something aligned with divine timing. She reflected on a statement from last year’s Wall Street Journal labeling it “a golden age of Bible publishing.” Interestingly, Bible sales had reportedly risen significantly, with a 22 percent increase year-over-year, indicating a growing interest in spiritual texts.

She noted that by this time this year, more Bibles had already sold compared to the same period last year. “His timing is better than ours,” she remarked, showing a sense of humility regarding the timing of their film.

Zimmerman explained that audiences can expect to learn about the Bible’s narrative after Christ’s death and how the New Testament came together. Questions arise, like how those stories were documented and what prompted the apostles to pen them down. It’s intriguing to consider how Jesus, during His teachings, expressed confusion around the events occurring, yet those stories transformed into a foundational text.

The film also investigates how the New Testament was solidified through oral traditions. Zimmerman pointed out the historical context when persecution escalated, leading many to realize they needed to write down the stories as first-hand accounts diminished.

Ultimately, her hope is that the film emboldens the faith of viewers by affirming the credibility of the Bible. “I want people to genuinely love and trust in these writings,” she said. However, she acknowledged that many might struggle with belief due to personal challenges or lack of connection to Christianity. Others may dismiss the text’s authenticity because it feels flawed. It’s a nuanced conversation.

“Oracles of God: Stories from the New Testament” is slated for theater release on November 2nd, 3rd, or 5th.