From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians

Christianity is a major world religion, and yet how much do we actually know about the man who founded it? Very little, it turns out. The initial episode in this 4-volume PBS Frontline series presents the views, founded on rigorous archeological and textual detective work, of various religious scholars on what the life of Jesus was like. Forced to approach his beginnings from oblique angles, these scholars flesh out the political climate at the time, the religious turmoil, and an assessment of Jewish life under Roman domination. This strategy provides a fascinating overall picture of the times that shaped Christ's views. Some pretty interesting facts emerge: Miracles were not uncommon in Jesus' day; what was unbelievable to the Romans was that a common Jew could perform them. Jesus was probably no more than a "blip" on Roman radar; there appear to have been many "messiahs" claiming to be the sole voice of God. And, most interesting, Jesus' preaching was considered by the Romans to be a direct political assault on the state and, thus, deserved the usual ruthless response for state criminals--crucifixion. The remaining three episodes chart the rise of Christianity through the third century. Ignoring the usual PBS vices (over-reliance on static models of Jesus' Jerusalem and overblown musical filler), this is highly recommended for its honest and even-handed depiction of a major religious figure and his impact. Editor's Choice. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Fisher)