A new documentary titled ‘Oracles of God’ is set to screen nationwide in November, aiming to inspire faith and explore the origins of the New Testament as Bible sales in the U.S. surged by 36% in 2024. Filmmaker Erin Zimmerman, the creator of the film, credited the timing of its release to a growing cultural interest in faith and the Bible.
The documentary, which is the second installment in her five-part series, will examine the historical accuracy and reliability of the New Testament texts, offering insights into how the Gospels and letters were written and preserved. Zimmerman, a four-time Emmy-nominated filmmaker, described the film as the New Testament’s ‘origin story,’ reflecting her desire to present Scripture from a ‘pure’ standpoint. The film’s release comes amid a broader trend of increased interest in faith-based entertainment, with previous works like ‘The Chosen’ and ‘House of David’ drawing large audiences.
Bible sales have also seen a significant rise, particularly following the assassination of conservative influencer Charlie Kirk, which has further fueled the spiritual resurgence in American culture. According to recent reports, Bible sales jumped by 36% in September, with analysts attributing this surge to the cultural impact of events such as the assassination of Kirk and a broader revival of interest in faith among younger generations.
Zimmerman, who lived in Israel in 2017 and felt called by God to create a documentary series that treated Scripture with a ‘pure’ perspective, emphasized that the film addresses common objections to the Bible’s accuracy, such as claims of mistranslation or alterations over time. She highlighted the use of historical evidence and scholarship to demonstrate how early scribes handled Scripture with ‘great care and reverence,’ citing thousands of preserved Greek manuscripts of the New Testament as key to supporting its reliability.
She also noted that the next film in the series, ‘Creating the Canon,’ will delve into how the books of the Bible were selected and compiled. Zimmerman hopes that viewers will leave with a renewed appreciation for the sacrifices behind the New Testament’s creation and confidence in the evidence that the Gospels were compiled from eyewitness accounts.
‘Every apostle but John was martyred,’ she said, adding that John was thrown into a pot of boiling oil and survived, according to historians. ‘They, and those after them, gave their lives for this word and to keep Jesus’ story alive.’