Series Examines Christian Origins

Series Examines Christian Origins

The PBS documentary series Frontline turns its attention to the historical roots of the Christian faith in its lengthy and lavishly produced two-part program “From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians,” airing nationwide April 6-7.

Three years in the making, the four-hour documentary brings ancient history to life through its stunning cinematography and creative use of visual materials and texts.

While the series does an excellent job putting Jesus and the early church in historical and social contexts, it does not suggest that Jesus or the faith he founded is in any way supernatural or divine.

New Testament scholar Craig Blomberg of Denver Seminary says the program “does not acknowledge distinctively evangelical perspectives at any point.”

Scholars from Yale, Harvard, Duke, Brown, DePaul, Princeton, and Boston universities served as consultants. The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation helped finance the show.

Copyright © 1998 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Our Latest

Analysis

Bondi Beach Shooting Compels Christians to Stand with Jews

The Bulletin with Josh Stanton and Robert Stearns

Jewish-Christian friendships offer solace and solidarity after antisemitic violence.

Who Writes History When There Is No Winner?

Lebanon’s civil war is a taboo subject. A group of Christians and Muslims is broaching it.

Review

Review: Angel Studios’ ‘David’

Peter T. Chattaway

Artistically, it’s ambitious. Narratively, it works. But it’s no “The Prince of Egypt.”

My Son’s Last Christmas at Home

Christmastime comes with its own losses and longings. God understands them.

The Russell Moore Show

David Platt on All You Want for Christmas

What if the most radical thing about Christmas isn’t that God came near—but that he came to serve?

Excerpt

The Story Behind Handel’s ‘Messiah’

The Bulletin with Charles King

Meet the unlikely characters who defined this musical classic.

News

The Christians Helping People Enslaved by Cybercrime Scam Centers

Erin Foley in Mae Sot, Thailand

After Myanmar’s military raided a compound, a network of ministries helps trafficking victims return home.

Dreaming Against the Machine

Technologies like AI privilege “growth” and “effectiveness” over imagination and inefficiency. God operates differently.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube