The Story of Jesus
Part One - Good Friday 22 April at 10am on BBC1
Part Two - Easter Sunday 24 April at 11.35am on BBC1
In a major two part series, THE STORY OF JESUS, nine of the world’s leading Biblical experts re-examine the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life. Using the very latest archaeological, historical and theological research, the programmes will analyse the key influences to Jesus’ teaching, explore the land in which he lived and preached and encounter the people who surrounded him.
Illustrated with specially shot drama footage of the key moments in Jesus’ life, aerial and time-lapse footage, these experts will investigate the true meaning of the 2000-year-old story of Jesus and, in particular, what it meant to his original first century followers.
The first episode investigates the story of Jesus from his birth to the beginning of his ministry, when he performed some of his famous healings and miracles. Expert analysis is provided by Dr SIMON GATHERCOLE (Cambridge University) who visits Bethlehem to investigate the stories of Jesus’ birth, Prof JAMES STRANGE (Florida University) who uses the archaeology of Galilee to explore Jesus’ childhood, the lost years of his life, Dr JOAN TAYLOR (King’s College London) who examines the key character of John the Baptist and his influence on Jesus and Prof GREG CAREY (Lancaster Seminary) who investigates some of Jesus’ key miracles, their meaning and significance.
The second part of the series follows Jesus from his controversial teaching in Galilee to the climax of his life in Jerusalem. Prof OBERY HENDRICKS (New York Theological Seminary) investigates the original revolutionary meaning of Jesus’ teaching and how the church has tried to downplay its real significance. Prof BEN WITHERINGTON investigates Jesus’ decision to confront the authorities in Jerusalem and how he revealed his true identity in secret to his disciples several months before he went to the city. Dr HELEN BOND (Edinburgh University) and Dr ANDREW SKINNER (Brigham Young University) investigate the last week of Jesus’ life and the real meaning of the trials he underwent before the Jewish and Roman authorities. And Prof TOM WRIGHT (former Bishop of Durham, now St Andrew’s University) investigates the historical truth of the resurrection and its part in Christianity’s beginnings as a new religion. The character of Jesus is played by Selva Resalingam. It is narrated by David Suchet.
Dr Simon Gathercole (Jesus -The Jewish Messiah), Dr. Joan Taylor (Jesus- The Prophet), Prof Greg Carey (Jesus- The Miracle Worker), Dr Helen Bond (Jesus’ Arrest and Death), Bishop Tom Wright (Jesus- The Christ) are available for press interviews.
Click here to watch trailer.
