Faithful Friday: My review of Angel Studios newest project “The Testament”.

Faithful Friday: My review of Angel Studios’ newest project, “The Testament”

By: Debbie Waltz

The studio responsible for the groundbreaking series “The Chosen” is excited to announce its newest project, “The Testament,” a series poised to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor and captivate audiences once more. Originally conceived as a movie, this series follows a group of modern-day disciples who struggle to build up the church in a futuristic city where outward displays of faith have become increasingly discouraged. Drawing loosely from the narrative of the Book of Acts, the series depicts the disciples’ lives after they are bestowed with the Holy Spirit, a gift foretold by Jesus. This new power has emboldened them to go to any lengths to spread their religious message, even to the extent of performing miracles; for instance, they healed a man who had been lame, enabling him to walk, all in the name of Jesus. Principal characters in the series include Peter, James and John Zebedee, Mary Magdalene, Stephen, and even Saul of Tarsus.

While the movie’s portrayal of the parables left me unimpressed, I found myself captivated by the depth and complexity of the characters. OFrom one perspective, we observe Saul of Tarsus (Eben Figueiredo ) making his entrance into the city of Salem precisely on the day of Pentecost, a significant detail to consider in understanding the unfolding events. While he is certainly coming to visit his family, his true motivation for the trip is a desire to secure a more prominent position within the temple’s hierarchy. In contrast, we are first introduced to Stephen (Charlie Beaven) as he is somewhat unfocused, taking in the Pentecostal rituals, when a noticeable movement of the Holy Spirit (seen as a wind) throughout the city captures his attention, leading him to investigate further. Following a group of people, he made his way to the city center where a throng of Jesus’ followers desperately tried to restore order and calm the group down. In his explanation, Peter, played by Tom Simper, reveals the presence and active movement of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Encouraged into action, Stephen gets baptized and excitedly shares the news with his mother-saying something new has begun. Unconvinced, Esther banishes her son until he “comes to his senses.” Hoping to change her mind, he invites her to hear Peter speak in front of the temple tomorrow.

With nowhere to go for the night and curfew looming, Stephen is forced to bed down with a local beggar named Caleb. Hoping to return the favor the next morning, Stephen offers to get a ride in a fruit cart to the temple where Peter will be preaching. Little does he know Caleb will be healed. What should have been miraculous turned chaotic as Pharisees and Sadducees were strategically only placed in the crowded to trap them in their words and deeds. As a result, James and Peter were immediately arrested and set to go on trial before the Sadducees (They were two prominent Jewish groups in the time of Jesus, holding distinct beliefs and practices. The Pharisees emphasized strict adherence to both the written Law of Moses and oral traditions, while the Sadducees, primarily an aristocratic priestly class, focused on the Temple and rejected the concept of an afterlife or resurrection.

Amidst the crisis, the Sanhedrin members are urgently attempting to determine a suitable replacement for Joseph of Arimathea, whose seat remains vacant. They haven’t seen him at all in the weeks since the crucifixion of Jesus. According to rumors, Joseph was believed to be a follower (Mark 15:43) and his going the extra mile to request Jesus’ body showcased his deep loyalty.

Not being one for sci-fi, I thought this series would be a little out of my league. The narrative, while set in a futuristic context, depicts a world where religious persecution is rampant, with people being unjustly jailed for their belief in Jesus. Although each episode rapidly captivates viewers by portraying the lives of the disciples and their followers, prior knowledge of the Book of Acts is not required for enjoyment. For a more profound and thorough understanding, a careful review and analysis of the work’s key themes is strongly encouraged; this will lead to deeper insight and comprehension.

From an outside perspective, one might speculate that Angel Studios’ creation of “The Testament” is a calculated move. Their ambition extends beyond mere competitiveness among similar faith-based endeavors; they strive to remain at the forefront of public awareness and to maintain a leading position within this sector. By doing this, they would gain a significant lead in creating a groundbreaking series that tells the story of the early Church—a project that would also enable them to outperform 5&2 studios at their own game. Later this year, the studio plans to begin production on its own series, which will be called “The Way”.

Considering their pivotal role in creating something truly great and the consequent elevation of faith-based films’ societal importance, I would hope Angel Studios could simply let bygones be bygones. Both studios possess individual significance, and I am confident that a harmonious coexistence between them is entirely possible.