Paul to get Hollywood makeover

Paul preparing to write to the Galatians

News that Hollywood is working on a biopic of Paul, (Saint Paul to the traditionalists and the Apostle Paul to the rest of us) "set to be the most high-profile Hollywood Christian production since Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ'", according to The Guardian.

"Hollywood Christian production"? Isn't that an oxymoron?

The move follows the success of several other faith-based films including Son Of God,God’s Not Dead, Heaven Is For Real, to name a few. [Hugh] Jackman [who is slated to take the title role and will co-produce], of course, has a huge fan base due to the X-Men and Wolverine movies so his name and star power is well-established across the globe. The next and probably last Wolverine film hits theaters March 3, 2017. He is also on board to star as PT Barnum for The Greatest Showman On Earth. Same with Affleck and Damon (Bourne Supremacy franchise).

Oh dear lord, the book of Acts meets Marvel Comics? Paul the epistle writer meets P T Barnum? A marriage made in heaven? Quite probably not.

The reality is that we know not an awful lot about Paul. Acts is highly fictionalised and the genuine epistles contain little biographical material. Exactly what he was trying to say in his writings about key issues like God, Judaism, Jesus and grace has been highly contested from the outset.

Not a problem for the movie industry which will doubtless make it up as they go. And what are the chances they throw in a love interest for the bachelor evangelist?

But the real question will be who they'll take on board as "expert advisers" to add a veneer of credibility to this dubious enterprise. Just who in the academic community is willing to prostitute themselves for a generous showering of shekels?