The Odyssey, the Book of Acts and You

(Editor's note: This article has been adapted with permission from the author's original post on August 1, 2026 in his blog Longitude.)

Normal summer blockbuster movies are about superheroes or fantastic suspense, a la Jaws of 51 years ago. That The Odyssey, a movie about the Greek story of the fall of Troy and the voyage of a fictional Greek hero across the seas to return home, is the summer’s must-see movie is both puzzling and instructive.

Puzzling in that the story, more than two millennia old, can be recast with contemporary themes and bring people out for a three-hour interlude. Instructive because it not only contains universal themes, but it also points us to a biblical story along some of the same routes and the larger odyssey of our spiritual journey to the Kingdom of God.

First the movie. It has drawn a lot of comments and done well in theaters. My wife and I viewed and enjoyed it. While it takes license with the characters and injects some modern liberal themes into the storyline, it is captivating nonetheless.

The scenes are beautifully filmed. Best of all is the depiction of the Trojan horse. You’ll likely find it unique from anything you’ve ever seen. The pace, directing and editing bring you along in the story. The fact that parts of the story are omitted or altered matters little to most who see it. Most of us are not classical scholars familiar with the details, and we’re accustomed to movies that have told or tried to tell only parts of this or other Greek stories. Most just want a good story and aren’t worried about accuracy when it comes to a mythical tale. This film version will introduce a generation to the story, motivating many to read the book. It is compelling.

Contrast this with the book of Acts. It ends with the long voyage of the apostle Paul from Judea to Rome, across the Mediterranean Sea. It is Paul’s “odyssey,” set in the context of the gospel going to Rome while he is a prisoner. His ship is beset by storm, a thwarted mutiny and a shipwreck. He endures, inspires, and becomes the leader of a ship full of sailors, Roman soldiers and his companions. In this factual story, we receive a witness of faith in God and an epic story of deliverance from life’s trials while developing courage, faith and honor along the way.

Which of these stories holds more relevance for us today? The original Odyssey is a foundational piece of world literature. It has endured because it is part of the Greco-Roman story supporting modern Western culture. It has been studied for centuries as part of the canon of Western literature. But it goes no further in time and contains only human logic and imagination.  

Paul’s story—directed and produced by God above—is preeminent. While Paul’s journey is a factual account, it also carries timeless spiritual lessons.  

Paul’s journey in Acts is part of the gospel of God. Paul goes to Rome preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. This story transcends the scope of the Odyssey and all the other “great books” of the Western world. In Revelation 11:15 we read, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.” The kingdoms of the Odyssey, along with all other kingdoms, real or imaginary, will be replaced.

If you see the movie, keep in mind the far more important story from the book of Acts. Paul’s journey offers us key insights into our personal journey of spiritual faith toward the Kingdom of God. Our journey is now. It has eternal consequences. God has left us the true stories contained in His Word to help us along our own personal odyssey.