Search - Jesus - The Complete Story on DVD

Not the best

J. J. Carew | Green Bay, WI | 03/30/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoy reading and watching documentaries on the early years of Christianity. When the Discovery Channel premiered this documentary several years ago I watched it. Several things popped out at me while watching the 4-hour broadcast. I recently borrowed it from my library to watch again and see if I'd like to purchase it. A big NO and here is why.



One thing this documentary states is that the Gospels can not be trusted because they are based on oral history. According to the show's producers, only archeologists can tell us what ACTUALLY happened with the life and death of Jesus. This is an incorrect assumption. It's my understanding that you can line up three people standing in the same place seeing the same car accident and all three will have the same basic story but their stories won't be exact. Does that mean their stories can't be trusted?



Read the following quotes from the narration of the program and you can decide if you want to watch or buy this program:



"'Something' must have stirred his(Jesus) determination to right the wrongs he saw in his society." Hmmm--what could that something be? According to this program, perhaps when you are the son of God you still need motivation.



When picking his apostles, Jesus was said to have "a bizarre recruitment drive." I used to be a journalist and when I see or hear "documentaries" using adjectives such as above shows that the writer is not being objective. Who says the way he picked his apostles was bizarre besides the creators of the program?



Here is the one that turned my head: "He was baptized by John. This simple act seems to have CONVINCED him he was the long-awaited Messiah." I'll let you make up your own mind on that one.



I won't even get into the fact that the program states "it is a well-known and documented fact that Jesus had sisters and brothers." Well, there are about a billion Catholics who beg to differ on that one and I won't go into that argument.



I am not impressed by the assumptions the writers and producers of this program made and try to pawn off as "fact".



Overall a very subjective view and not "complete" in any way. If you do buy, buy with caution. But I say this about most religious/historical documentaries. There is a point where science can not answer all the questions asked. I once heard that "Faith is believing in something when common sense tells you not to."



If you are truly interested in a more balanced look at Jesus and the early church, try Frontline: From Jesus to Christ produced by PBS in 1998 or the Rise of Christianity: The first 1000 years. They at least show more than one side to some Jesus stories, such as whether Jesus had brothers and sisters. They also do not foist a lot of subjective adjectives onto the viewer.

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Scientific Research with a Biblical Perspective

J. Kara Russell | Hollywood - the cinderblock Industrial cubicle | 09/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I tend to be very skeptical of "life of Jesus" illustrations. I watch a lot of historical programs on previous cultures, and I understand that while the science can determine and confirm certain aspects, it is easy to extrapolate into fictionalized accounts and storytelling.
There have been other "scientific" searches for Jesus, using archeological evidence, but they are often so obviously done by non-Christians, or even anti-Christians, that their bias is clear while they pretend to be impartial. This series does have a bias, too. It is produced by theologians, and yes, they clearly have belief; but they do not push that aspect. Rather, this program says this "X" (science) proves this "Y" (biblical description) to be true. They compare it to other events, but do not make assumptions, but leave the rest for your own conclusions. I found this series fascinating, well done, and balanced, using scientific process to illuminate biblical text, and relate it to today. The forensic reconstruction is particularly interesting. A very practical application of science to help us deconstruct iconography. A great gift for a thinking Christian."

Bold, fact-based, brings you closer to Jesus...

R. Uziel | Southern California, USA | 10/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 3-boxed set of beautiful, documentary-style videos examines the life and times of the historical Jesus Christ within the backdrop of First-century Judea's troubles and turmoil -vs- the awaited hope of many in the Messiah of Israel. It examines the life of Jesus in light of the Bible, the Old and New Testament Scripture, and the Gospel account, as further supported by the Qumran Dead Sea Scrolls. The video is straightforward at examining the evidence within the context of scientific and historical inquiry and data, Bible accounts, as well as opening up the discussion of the Resurrection of Jesus to a matter of one's own deep, interpersonal faith. The evidence is shown to withstand the test of time, even after 2000 years! It's a realistic and poignant view of life in the First-century and the best presentation of the life of Jesus that I've seen so far, aside from the Franco Zeffirelli version of 'Jesus of Nazareth'. This video encourages further exploration into who Jesus was... and is! It really brings a person as close to a knowledge of Jesus aside from the intimate look at His life as presented in the Bible. Experts of diverse specialties, from Israel, Great Britain, and France, were consulted on this project. The BBC outdid itself with this series! It puts the viewer in tune with the emotional and spiritual aspect of the crucifixion. See the beautiful, first temple recreated here, as well as the surrounding cities. You'll get a feel for the era. This is a candid video presentation which I recommend to all. I cannot say enough about it. Visit settings such as Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem, Gethsemane, the Mount of Olives, the city of Sepphorus, and Cesaria in recreations of how it all appeared in Biblical times. Fascinating and inspiring, will undoubtedly bring students, teachers, seekers, and followers closer to the saving knowledge of God's grace!"

Introduction and Overview

SP | 02/04/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This series from BBC is a great introduction and overview of Jesus and his life work. I gave only 4 stars because I felt it was not in depth and left out some very important research and information. The presentation of information was great and kept me and my husband intersted throughout. Very good quality. Great for a new Christian who wants to get a some good quick information without being bogged down by too much."