The "apostle" was raised by a typical American family, but without the knowledge of the Bible, and claims that he didn't even hear the word "God" until he was 12 years old. He was sent to a Catholic school where his instruction began, but refused to participate in the Eucharist at Mass. At a dreadfully low ebb in his life, his father gave him a copy of the New Testament and a life-changing experience resulted in a passion to "put a human face to the Gospels in a more natural setting like Jesus would do."
Living this natural and simple life for the past 19 years, James Joseph, wandering barefoot with his Bible, wearing a white robe, and taking life as it comes without any money, shelter or supplies, welcomes the opportunity to be accessible to the common man -- people perhaps who have separated themselves from traditional religion, but still seek answers to God in their hearts. He shares while walking on this path he calls "neutral ground" and experiences amazing things that occur in these spontaneous encounters. One young man tells of his unusual spiritual experience with suicide and how God led him to live his life; while another man carries a gun and speaks of his fear in the streets at night.
The Jesus Guy interviews two ladies who housed James Joseph during this filming, Mary Battles and Connie Muir. Both ladies gladly shared their homes, meals, and helped the apostle complete administrative tasks necessary to the movie. However, their opinions of the apostle are at opposite ends of the popularity chart. There is a scene where conflict with the law ensues as police insist that a permit be obtained to further produce the movie on public ground. There's an interview with Shanti Desai, an Eastern Indian who welcomes the apostle into his home and shares and discusses his own views on religions of the East and West. James visited with a young woman named Amy who confesses of her severe trial with love, pregnancy and abortion, but how she chose to obey her conscience regardless of the difficulties. The apostle says that "one of the greatest sins is abortion" - to take the life of an innocent child is evil; that to strive for the protection and preservation of a newborn life from beginning to end is basic to our nature. Another young lady named Elizabeth explains the emotional and physical sensations she experienced as the Holy Spirit filled her soul and exhilarated her being with His love.
The Jesus Guy pictorializes the persecution and critical eye of public opinion, much as Jesus received because He, too, was misunderstood. Mayor Barletta of Hazelton, PA requests prayer of the apostle, and Bishop Timlim says that this man is much like St. Francis of Assisi who abandoned everything and chose to live his life very simply. Some students of St. Augustine's School verbally accost the apostle, but he is invited to participate at the Catholic Charismatic Convention. Hanna Rosin of the Washington Post admits that he has "transformed a town," while Mark Guydish of the Times Leader is confused by the public's welcoming and unquestioning acceptance.
The apostle shares his complete devotion to Jesus Christ through His mother, Mary, and he pays homage at the end of the movie as he sings in Latin the "Ave Maria," stating, "The song has so much meaning of an encounter that Mary, the mother of Jesus, had with an angel (and is believed to be one of the first Christians), and from that faith the child was conceived in her womb."
One of the most commonly asked questions is about sickness, pain and suffering. He prays with Mary, an elderly lady who says she's dying, and asks her if she has the hope of eternal life and of God's perfect design with a certain joy, knowledge, faith, and certainty that it is for a special good. He discusses the charismatic prayer of tongues, discernment of spirits, and how we must always strive for humility so we always focus on God. He points out that nature is harsh on his bare feet, but advises that we must be carefully attentive to our every step and cautions Mary Battles that even our every word will come before the judgment of our lives.
The name: "What's Your Name?" was used throughout this film to emphasize God and DE-emphasize the human element. However, James is the barefoot preacher's baptismal and confirmation name which he now uses together with his last name, Joseph. Also included is an arranged meeting with the apostle's father who reminisces about his son's childhood, and the apostle admits that one of the most sacrificing difficulties about his mission is being away from his father, mother and brother.
The Jesus Guy is completed by the Bonus Features that consists of an essential Audio Commentary with the Apostle James Joseph explaining some of his views and feelings expressed in the movie. Also included is an Interview with the director and apostle, as well as Coming Attractions and Trailer. The packaging states that there are subtitles in Spanish and English, but when I tried to get subtitles, I could only get English in certain parts of the film.
The Jesus Guy is an unusual documentary and through this DVD, I enjoyed meeting and walking with this man whose passion is so profound that it has consumed his life. He stands with his enormous faith and breaks through the barriers of persecution, fear, abuse, danger, hunger, thirst and poverty to share his love of Jesus Christ with the sick, depressed, abandoned, confused and needy. Through all of weather's elements, and darkness of night, through persecution and prejudice, he comes with love exercising faith with every barefooted step, dependent only on his love of God and God's supply.
