Product Details

• Directors: Bram Roos, Bernie Thomann, David Cobb
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 2
• Studio: A&E Home Video
• VHS Release Date: January 25, 2000
• Run Time: 100 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0767023544
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #325,275 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In this 100-minute installment of A&E's Biography series, the life of Jesus is examined with the emphasis not on what has been related in the Gospels but in the historical record of his times. Serious scholars agree that such a person as Jesus walked the earth, but there are various interpretations of his life and how he must have lived it, many of which get an airing in this highly informative documentary. Some of the material covered can be highly controversial, such as the questions of whether Jesus had siblings or whether he was married (as would have been standard in the Jewish society in which he lived), but the evidence is presented in a balanced manner and viewers are left to make up their own minds about how the stories in the Scriptures fit in with the historical context of the times. In some cases, scholars explain how material in the Scriptures may not have been meant literally, but people at the time the Gospels were being written would have simply understood that some content was meant to be allegorical. In addition to the intelligent handling of the material, Unknown Jesus also deserves credit for good production, with the cinematography and use of numerous works of art making it a pleasure to watch. --Robert J. McNamara

Product Description

For 2000 years the popular image of Jesus Christ has been set in stone. Now, as the millennium approaches, questions long debated in scholarly circles are coming to the forefront. Armed with ancient sources like the Dead Sea Scrolls, the papyrus books at Nag Hammadi and long overlooked writings from the early church, modern scholars are making an impact with new theories on the most important figure of the Western World. From scholars to students, millions have studied the life of Jesus Christ according to the four Gospels. But these writings, penned decades after he died, tell of a Jesus of faith. What is really known about the history of Jesus? Join the creators of A&E’s acclaimed Who Wrote The Bible for another journey of discovery and learn more about the God who is worshipped today by millions. Now, some 2,000 years later, questions long-debated in scholarly circles are coming to the forefront.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Unknown Jesus, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unknown Jesus: Revealing Perspectives on the Life of Jesus - Box Set [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This two volume set is excellent. The known theologians and bibilical scholars used in this film have varying points of view and this film manages to tie in all of their theories and beliefs into a well made and easy to follow documentary. They show the many sides of a history making and controversial figure--Jesus of Nazareth. The film covers his birth, and his life; leaving no stone unturned from the controversial "virgin birth" theory, his brothers and sisters and family life, his mysterious disappearance from age 15-30, his ministry, possible marriage, the controversial healings and miracles, death, and resurrection. Regardless of your religious bent you will find this film interesting and thought provoking whether you agree with it or not. I think you will learn something you did not know or think about the man called Jesus. I highly recommend this film if you would like to know more about the real, and historical Jesus these theologians have discovered with new finding in this century. This film piqued my interest for further study.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Historical Jesus, November 16, 2004

By 

J. S. Kaminski "j_s_k" (Aberdeen, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Unknown Jesus: Revealing Perspectives on the Life of Jesus - Box Set [VHS] (VHS Tape)

As the title states, this video focuses on the Jesus of history, not the Jesus of faith. And it does an excellent job of it. Many topics are covered, including Jesus' family life... was Jesus an only child, or not? Did he travel abroad in his youth, to India perhaps, or even Britain? Did he spend any time with the religious community at Qumran, who wrote the Dead Sea scrolls? Was he a disciple of John the Baptist? And was he married? If so, to whom?

These topics, and others, are tackled by historians and theologians, though the viewer is left to draw his or her own conclusions. There are not many concrete answers here, but there is a lot to contemplate.

Four stars!

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most eye-opening, May 9, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unknown Jesus: Revealing Perspectives on the Life of Jesus - Box Set [VHS] (VHS Tape)

All my life, I've had serious and hard questions no one has been able to answer about Jesus and the beliefs of Christianity. I have been doing a great amount of research on a side of spirituality that most never even touch. (But just because they do not know about it does not mean it doesn't exist.) I wanted to be able to equate what I've long felt in my heart was true to what I had been taught from a (not-so-)logical standpoint as a child.

This video helped me do just that. I've been able to get answers to the questions that *I* have had and ponder things I had never before considered. The video does let you choose what you wish to believe. Since God gave us FREE WILL, we are free to do just that.