BOOKS, MOVIES AND TV SHOWS ABOUT ST PAUL | KAIROS GLOBAL | APRIL 2025

Author: Benita Elisa Benny

St Paul, persecutor turned apostle, has had a profound impact on people’s lives, not only through his letters but also through various books, movies and TV shows made on him. Here’s a look at a few of them. 

MOVIES and TV SHOWS 

Paul, Apostle of Christ (2018)

Perhaps the most well-known movie on him is Paul, Apostle of Christ, a visceral narrative of the final days of St Paul, beaten up in prison. He is visited by St Luke, who interviews Paul, taking the viewers through his life. A movie with no over-the-top elements, it showcases the reality of Christians in Nero’s Rome. More than an account of Paul’s life, it depicts the fundamentals of Christianity, persecution, and faith, and reminds us of the reason for living as Christians. 

A.D. The Bible Continues (2015)

The story of the Book of Acts is depicted in this miniseries in the most gruesome and unadulterated way complete with fantastic visuals of the Pentecost, the apostles’ missions and the cruel regime of Rome. Emmett J Scanlan portrays the journey from Saul to Paul, highlighting aptly his struggles and zeal for Christ.

Paul the Apostle (2000)

Part of a film series called ‘The Bible Collection’, this 2000 classic, is a complete account of St. Paul’s life. How he transformed from Saul to Paul, and his subsequent missions among the Gentiles, while Romans and Jews sought to kill him. Shot in the Moroccan Desert, this movie is a beautiful work of art and has led many to Christ. 

To the Ends of the Earth (2018)

Based on a small portion of Acts of the Apostles, this 38-minute short film logs Paul’s missionary activities in Philippi. He ponders, along with the people of Philippi, about who can really be saved. His words and actions attract many, providing answers to his own and others’ questions. 

The Apostle Paul (2006)

Part of the film series,’ The Great People of the Bible’, this feature is a record of Paul’s life, from persecutor to preacher, narrated by Sir Ben Kingsly. The life of St Paul is perfectly integrated with a glimpse into the beauty of his mission sites of Jerusalem, Antioch, Philippi, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Malta, and Rome where he was executed for the faith he once denounced.

BOOKS

Saint Paul by Pope Benedict XVI (2009)

Pope Benedict XVI, is known for his profound writings, especially his commentary on Paul’s life, missions, and legacy. The Holy Father, through the text, explores seminal questions that exist on St Paul, including whether he had met Christ in his life. He also uses Paul’s teaching to draw a bridge between Protestant and Catholic theologies and highlights the relevance of his teachings in the modern day.

The Gospel According to St Paul: Meditations on His Life and Letters by Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini, SJ (2008)

Through this collection of meditations, Cardinal Martini takes us through St Paul’s conversion, sufferings, and lessons that can be echoed from his teachings, including love for the community, suffering and consolation and reconciliation. At the end of each chapter, a series of questions are provided to help us reflect on our own lives in light of St Paul’s experiences.

The Life of St Paul by Lawrence Boadt C.S.P (2008)

Boadt provides a historical account of St Paul, based on his life recorded by St Luke in the Book of Acts. He places all the important events of Paul’s life and teachings in their geographical and historical context. The topics dealt with in the book include Paul’s conversion, his stay in Athens, letters, his arrest in Jerusalem, and his arrival in Rome. For every chapter, there are ‘icon-like’ paintings by Linda Schapper, making the book enjoyable for children and adults alike. 

St. Paul’s Ephesus: Texts and Archaeology by Jerome Murphy-O’Connor (2008) 

Dominican scholar Jerome Murphy catalogues in his book the conditions of Ephesus before Paul’s arrival, giving a context for the persecutions Paul faced in Ephesus and the profound changes that occurred here after his teachings and letters. He gives a perspective on the key issues dealt with by Paul in his letter to Ephesus. With glimpses into archaeological evidence, Murphy takes readers back to the glory days of Ephesus, centuries after their destruction. This book was a sequel to St Paul’s Corinth: Texts and Archaeology (2002).

The Power of Images in Paul by Raymond F. Collins

St Paul, in his letters, made use of intense imagery and metaphors, which, according to Collins, Paul drew from his own experiences, his Jewish background, and his Roman cultural ties. This book details how these metaphors connected with his first readers and further audiences to shape Christianity into its current form

Benita Elissa Benny lives in Ernakulam, India with her parents, sister and brother..