R/Phil - Religion - Christianity

Last Days of Jesus examines the six days from Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to his crucifixion from an historical rather than a religious perspective. It focuses on how the politics of Rome and Judea may have influenced Jesus' fate.

Jonathan Phillips attempts to find the answer to the question: How did Christianity grow and develop from just a small, Jewish sect to the largest, and majority, dominant religion of the West?

Diarmaid MacCulloch, an Oxford history professor, travels to historical points of interest relevant to Christianity discussing the origins and spread of Christianity in a span of 6 episodes.

British high-profile personalities examine the origins, history and global impact of Christianity.

Renowned theologian Robert Beckford traces the astonishing similarities of the stories surrounding the lives of Jesus and other religious figures, including Horus, Mithras, Krishna and Buddha. He visits India to talk with Hindu and Buddhist leaders about Krishna and Buddha, whose birth stories and teachings match those of Jesus. Traveling to the UK, Beckford uncovers ancient signs of the Mithraian tradition with practices and beliefs so strongly parallel to Christianity that both sides accused each other of stealing traditions. Ending this segment in Egypt, we learn of Osiris and Horus, leaving an astonished Beckford wondering if this story really is the origin of Jesus' story. With an open mind you may begin a process of asking questions that may lead to your own personal enlightenment; which seems to be the intent of all of the religious figures explored in this episode.

The world of Apostle Paul and the early Christians, including the Temple of Artemis and the secret caverns of Cappadocia, lives again.

John the Baptist's time on the biblical stage was brief, yet he left an indelible mark on Christianity. We know that he started the sacrament of baptism, but was he also the man behind the message of Jesus? Does a secretive Middle Eastern sect practice ancient rituals handed down directly from John? Despite mentions in the Gospels and the works of the Jewish historian Josephus, little was known about the historical John until now. TIME MACHINE follows in the footsteps of the prophet and examines startling new archaeological evidence that provides the first concrete proof of the life of this enigmatic biblical character.

Documentary on the lives of Saints Peter and Paul as they spread the message of Jesus throughout the Roman Empire.

This is both parts of a two-series set produced by the A&E network which explores the history of Christianity and its impact on the world from the year 0 to 2000. Part 1 (the first four episodes) looks at the time from the Roman Empire until the East/West split in 1054. Part 2 accounts the history of the Western world's most influential religion from around the year 1000, the time of the East/West schism and the Crusades, through the Reformation up to contemporary times.

6-part course on the history of Christianity, from the early days to modern times.

A serious news documentary examining the authenticity of the events in the life of Jesus

Documentary that explores the history of Christianity from the Roman Empire until the East/West split in 1054.

The story of the rise of Christianity.

The impact of the Gospels after the First Revolt; Christianity spreads and conversion takes place in the Roman Empire in the second and third centuries.

A look at the history of Christianity and how it has responded to the scientific advances, political atheism and secularisation that are challenging many people's faith.

The Christians is a meticulously constructed, lavishly produced series that describes the experiences and actions of Christians from the birth of Christ, through the Roman Empire, the Renaissance and Lutheran reform to modern times.

Martin Luther chronicles the real life story of the seismic upheaval that rocked the western world in the early 1500s. Narrated by Hugh Bonneville (Downtown Abbey), the film brings to life the great adventure story of Luther's struggle.

This film examines the life and legacy of Scotland's controversial Reformer: John Knox.

Historian David Starkey tells the story of the Protestant Reformation and how it transformed the face of modern Europe. A schism at the heart of Christendom, the Reformation unleashed centuries of holy war, inspiring the kind of fundamentalism, terror and religious violence we are all too familiar with today. Timed to coincide with the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 95 Theses to the doors of All Saint's Church in Wittenberg, this programme charts the spread of Luther's ideas across Europe. Starkey explains how and why Luther's simple act of defiance would gain such momentum, and explores the consequences of his actions - both on the Christian faith, as well as on society as a whole. Filmed in Rome, Germany and the UK, the programme concentrates on the early years of the Reformation and concludes by revealing the impact and legacy it had on England. There it prompted Henry VIII to split with the Catholic Church in Rome and declare himself supreme head of the Church of England.