A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years - A Review

There are two billion Christians in the world today, a third of humanity—Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox, Pentecostal, and many more. Though Christians, by definition, are well-versed in the story of Christ and the apostles, many have given little thought to the details of their Christian heritage—the miraculous transferring of their faith from the first Christians huddled at Golgotha, across two centuries worth of cultures and languages, wars, and the rising and falling of empires. How did this small, obscure Jewish sect that preached humility and personal sacrifice become the biggest religion in the world? The answer will surprise you.

A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years is a six-part series co-produced by the BBC, the Open University, and Jerusalem Productions and presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch, one of the world’s leading historians and Professor of History of the Church and Fellow at St. Cross College, Oxford. As MacCulloch reveals the true history of Christianity, he explores the question, “What does it really mean to be a Christian?”

MacCulloch is one of the most widely traveled Christian historians, and A History of Christianity is the first retelling of the Christian story that is truly global in scope. Filmed in high definition, A History of Christianity takes viewers on a 2,000-year odyssey that reaches the farthest corners of the world, from Palestine in the first century to India in the third, from Damascus to China in the seventh century, and from San Francisco to Korea in the twentieth.

You can watch a preview here.

The DVD set is available at retailers, including Sam’s Club. The series is also available on Amazon.com and www.ambrosevideo.com.


What did I think?  I was sent the first video in this series by The B&B Media Group in exchange for an unbiased review.  I have to say that I really enjoyed it.  It was very interesting.  Captivating even, if this is the type of thing you're interested in.  The video shows many places as MacCulloch follows the development of Christianity.  It is beautiful to watch.  I loved seeing the scenery and the churches and the people who practice today.  The focus of this video was of Eastern Christianity (as opposed to our Western version), which I admit I knew little about.  I have a deeper respect for it having watched their history.  MacCulloch is an interesting narrator who comes across as unbiased and knowledgeable.  


I would personally like to add this series to my video library and watch the rest of the series.