BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The story of how the New Testament came to life is being brought to the big screen through Oracles of God: The Story of the New Testament, a new film by award-winning director Erin Zimmerman. The documentary explores one of the most profound mysteries in Christian history—how the stories of Jesus and His followers transformed from oral tradition into the written word that would ultimately shape the foundation of Christian faith.

Filmed across Israel and developed over several years, Oracles of God offers an extraordinary look into the process behind the creation of the New Testament. Zimmerman began the project in 2017 while living in Israel, capturing the sacred landscapes that once witnessed the ministry of Jesus and the early church. However, the journey to completion was anything but smooth. From the challenges of the pandemic to the outbreak of conflict in 2023, production was repeatedly delayed. Yet, Zimmerman views these interruptions as divine timing. “God had His plan back in 2017,” she shared, reflecting on how global events aligned to bring the film’s release to a moment of renewed spiritual hunger.

Indeed, that hunger is evident. Bible sales have surged in recent years, and more young people are returning to church than ever before. Against this backdrop, Oracles of God arrives not merely as a film but as a reaffirmation of faith’s endurance.

The documentary takes audiences beyond the familiar gospel narratives of Jesus’ life and teachings, focusing instead on what happened afterward—how His followers, once uncertain and scattered, became determined to record His words. For the first few decades after Jesus’ resurrection, the stories were passed on orally, cherished and recited by those who had heard them firsthand. But as persecution intensified and the apostles began to die, early Christians recognized the urgent need to preserve their message in writing.

Zimmerman’s film delves into this critical turning point, tracing how eyewitness testimony evolved into sacred text. It also explores the roles of the early church fathers—those who learned directly from the apostles and carried forward their teachings. Through dramatized reenactments, interviews with biblical scholars, and stunning footage from ancient Judean sites, Oracles of God brings to life the human side of divine inspiration.

One of the film’s most fascinating revelations examines why the Gospel of John was written decades after the others. Zimmerman shares that John, having read the earlier accounts, still felt compelled to add his own voice—a decision both deeply spiritual and surprisingly personal. “It was almost a little passive-aggressive,” she says with a smile, hinting at John’s desire to fill in what he believed was missing from the narrative.

For Zimmerman, creating the film was a transformative journey of faith. “I grew up in Christian schools, yet I never learned how these writings came together,” she admits. “This project taught me that the Bible is not just a book—it’s the legacy Christ left for us.”

Set for theatrical release on November 2, 3, and 5 as a Fathom Event, Oracles of God invites viewers to rediscover the history, authenticity, and spiritual power of the New Testament. More than a documentary, it is a celebration of faith preserved through centuries—a testament to divine timing, human devotion, and the written word that changed the world.

*All Photos from CBN Films