From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians challenges with new and controversial historical evidence the familiar assumptions about the life of Jesus and the epic rise of Christianity. Anchored by the testimony of New Testament theologians, archaeologists and historians who serve as both critics and storytellers, this film focuses on Jesus' first followers, the men and women whose beliefs, convictions, and martyrdom created a major movement that transformed the Roman Empire in the space of only three hundred years. It is not a story of a golden age of consensus, but a story of people in conflict - wrestling with Judaism, confronting the authority of the Empire and struggling among themselves to understand Jesus' message about the coming of God.
Producer/Writer: Marilyn Mellowes
Senior Producer/Director: William Cran
Narration: William Cran and Marilyn Mellowes
From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians was produced in association with WGBH/Boston and aired nationally on PBS Frontline.
"Using archeological findings, elaborate models, liturgical music and scenes of the places where it all happened, the film offers a searching if still mysterious portrait of Jesus... This absorbing series is a testament to scholarly fascination with the development of Christianity and awe for its triumph. There is nothing here of the televangelists' appeal to miracles, but this work is a revelation of what television can be."
- Walter Goodman, The New York Times
"From Jesus to Christ is exciting for its lively interplay of ideas: As the show cuts from one biblical expert to another, it's like getting a crash course in the New Testament by watching a bunch of smart people throw us their best curve balls."
- Ken Tucker, Entertainment Weekly
"If you're wondering what Jesus has to do with Passover, consider this show required viewing. Jesus and his disciples were thoroughly immersed in the Jewish life of ancient Israel, and an understanding of the rise of Christianity is impossible without an appreciation of Judaism, paganism and the Roman Empire."
- Don Lattin, San Francisco Chronicle
If you would like to explore films with similar themes, please click on Cristianismo or Judaísmo.