Customer Reviews

From Jesus to Christ - The First Christians [VHS]

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

"From Jesus to Christ- The First Christians" follows the growth of the early church from the death of Christ to the conversion of Constantine some three hundred years later. Changing attitudes about Jesus and Christianity, from both inside and outside the movement, are examined . Jesus' ministry and death are briefly examined, but in the context of a Jewish culture that was oppressed by Rome.

This is not a faith based program, as the scholars do not debate the divinity of Christ. However, it was a fascinating look at the times in which Jesus lived, taught, and died. I especially enjoyed the information about the young church in Jerusalem. Looking at the facts surrounding the "Jesus Movement" only served to strengthen my faith.

I enjoyed the video from start to finish. It does a great job of describing the events that led to the formation of the Christian religion from a fragment of the Jewish faith. I especially enjoyed the fact that it uses the testimony of several theological scholars from distinguished schools such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Duke, among others. This video helped to explain a lot of the questions I had regarding the formation of the faith. It is a must see for anyone curious of the roots and struggles of early Christianity.

This series is a winner! if you want to update your Christianity. The approach here is historical, not theological, with scholars from all over the US discussing the first two+ centuries of Christianity. They will give you the broad outlines of what has been taught in seminaries for around 75 years...but not preached in the churches. Bears repeated viewing, there is so much material. Not for people who are strictly orthodox or take the Bible literally...unless they want to open their minds to other possibilities.

I thoroughly enjoyed this program and highly recommend it. I have watched this video no less than a dozen times. It is comprehensive and tells the story of how Christianity began and evolved. It is interesting to note that many of the "experts" are not Clergy. They are College Professors and researchers who have a unique insight into the factual and researched evidence that provide the basis for the Christian faith. This program presents facts in a perspective that coincides with the mindset in the times in which they took place. We figuratively travel back in time with some outstanding commentary and perspective from a bevy of well spoken, factually prepared intellectuals who not only tell the story itself but give perspective on the story tellers, what their interests were and also what was historically going on at that time. I found the perspectives given stregnthened my faith. I found this program devoid of an agenda and solely interested in telling a profound story that has transcended the ages. I recommend this program to anyone who is on a faith journed to understanding the roots of their faith. It will provide for compelling viewing.

This is a truthful and enlightening video. Seemingly all people proclaiming to be Christians can learn so much from even "fundamentalist" if they open their mind to the historical research instead of only listening to their Church and their filtered interpretations of the bible. What other evidence is out there about Jesus besides what the bible tells us? Who really wrote the bible and why do the scholars think as they do. This video shares some of these insights and presents them in an easily understandable form. I wish there were more Jesus videos done in this type of presentation.

Watching this first on PBS was really an experience! Excellent research and direction with this documentary. Especially in talking of the Book of Thomas in which where the church refuses to acknowledge because of it's content. But the video reveals why it is and why they are afraid of the gospel that really portrays Jesus as really one of us and the gospel reveals that loving God there is no need for a church and clergymen/women. Furthermore, it explains how Jesus lived his simple life and became one of the most influential human beings on this planet through the first Christians. An unforgettable Frontline. I highly recommend it!

I just wish they could put this magnificent documentary on dvd! Being that it's on 4 videocassettes makes it really cumbersome. I hope they read this and get the picture! It's worth having, absolutely great research, great cinematography! Recommended highly!

Don't listen to the religious fanatics who have posted reviews below. This Frontline special is brilliant, offering a penetrating look at the socio-political world of Jesus and the immediate rammifications of a Christian messiah. Every agnostic or atheist will find this special invaluable as it takes a non-religiously biased view of Christianity's early history.

An excellent series on the evolution of the Jesus myth. I am struck by the manner in which the charismatic/apocalyptic strain that animated the Jesus movement continues to energize a great deal of contemporary religious enthusiasm. I find myself in agreement with the critical perspectives presented and see them as much more helpful in the development of adult faith than the Sunday school and catechism fictions most Christians are offered as children and, sadly, as adults. I have used this series, and the other Frontline series on "Apocalypse," with adult study groups in local churches and the participants found them to be liberating. I recommend it for those engaged in the essential work of helping our religions grow up.

As a scholar of the new testament, I enjoyed greatly the PBS series "From Jesus to Christ: The first Christians." This is the epic tale of how a povern stricken son of a carpenter became the leading figure in both secular and religious histories. It recounts in brilliant colors how we transformed Jesus the man, into Jesus the God. This is definitely for those who are seeking the Historical Jesus, not the religious Jesus. The man that was the so-called "Christ" has long been an enduring subject for such pieces, but few if any have put into words this man so brilliantly. From Jesus to Christ explains everything; from how the New Testament was born, why it contradicts itself so injuriously, and finnaly the gripping tale of how it became the world's #1 religion. With out a doubt, this is a worthwhile, and timeless work.