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FRONTLINE: FROM JESUS TO CHRIST: THE FIRST CHRISTIANS {PART 1 OF 2} (TV)

Summary

One in this documentary series. This edition focuses on the rise of Christianity, as formed by the life and death of Jesus Christ, and the beliefs of his followers. Throughout the production, a scripture from the Bible's New Testament is read, then interpreted by one of twelve scholars. The speaker presents an historic view of the scripture, often based on archaeological finds and new interpretations of the lives of early Christians and their communities. The production begins by telling how Jesus was born as a subject of the Roman Empire. However, the scholars believe that Jesus was born in Nazareth, rather than Bethlehem. They also note that he probably wasn't a humble village peasant, having grown up near the urban center of Sepphoris. The program stresses that the Temple in Jerusalem was the center of religious life, though groups like the Essenes formed their own community in caves near the Dead Sea, where they wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls. Next, the program addresses the early relationship between Jesus and John the Baptist, after which Jesus embarked on his career as a preacher. Scholars then debate the healing powers of Jesus, and how his fame as either a social reformer or apocalyptic firebrand led to his conflict with Roman authorities. Jesus's cleansing of the moneylenders from the Temple is thought to be what led to his arrest and eventual crucifixion. After a short pause, the program resumes by exploring the period after the death of Jesus, tracing the beginnings of the Jesus Movement, before it was called Christianity. The Apostle Paul confronted paganism and traveled to locales like Corinth to preach the word of a messiah whose kingdom would manifest itself on the earth. Paul's attempts to spread the message to gentiles is also examined, after which the scholars debate what happened when Paul and the Apostle Peter came into conflict in Antioch. The final part of the program concerns growing Jewish unrest toward the Roman empire, culminating as Jewish resistance broke out against Rome and rebels seized Jerusalem. The Romans subsequently sacked Jerusalem and set the Temple on fire. That revolt, scholars say, was the beginning of the split between Judaism and Christianity.

Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Details

  • NETWORK: PBS
  • DATE: April 6, 1998 Monday 9:00 PM
  • RUNNING TIME: 1:54:42
  • COLOR/B&W: Color
  • CATALOG ID: T:75772
  • GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: Documentary; Religion and government; Jews - History; Jerusalem
  • SERIES RUN: PBS - TV series, 1983-
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • David Fanning … Senior Executive Producer
  • Michael Sullivan … Executive Producer
  • Robin Parmelee … Coordinating Producer
  • William Cran … Senior Producer, Director
  • Sharon Tiller … Senior Producer
  • Marilyn Mellowes … Producer, Writer
  • Peter Rhodes … Co-Producer
  • Mary C. Brockmyre … Associate Producer
  • Paul Foss … Music by
  • Mason Daring … Theme Music by
  • Martin Brody … Theme Music by
  • Will Lyman … Narrator
  • William Cran … Narrator
  • Marilyn Mellowes … Narrator
  • Gustave Johnson … Voice
  • Jeremiah Kissel … Voice
  • Robert Lawson … Voice
  • William LeBow … Voice
  • Robin Parmelee … Voice
  • Dossy Peabody … Voice
  • James Spruill … Voice
  • Tim Sawyer … Voice
  • Apostle Paul
  • Apostle Peter
  • Jesus Christ
  • John the Baptist