Watch Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years

2008
1 Season

"Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years" is a television series exploring the history of Christianity over the course of two millennia. Produced by A&E and hosted by a variety of experts, this documentary delves deep into the origin of Christianity, its evolution over time, and its impact on Western civilization.

The series spans 10 episodes, with each episode focusing on a different period in Christian history. Starting in the first century with the life of Jesus Christ and the formation of the early Christian communities, the show then moves to explore topics such as the Roman Empire's hostility to Christianity, the rise of monasticism, the emergence of Protestantism, and the role of Christianity in shaping social and political structures throughout Europe and the Americas.

Each episode is thoughtfully crafted with a balance of interviews, historical analysis, and stunning visuals that bring the past to life. Experts from a variety of fields offer their insights and interpretations of the events and ideas that have shaped Christianity, providing a rich and multi-layered understanding of the tradition.

One of the strengths of the series is its ability to probe the nuances of the Christian tradition. It explores many of the controversies and divisions that have arisen among Christians over the centuries, offering a nuanced and non-judgmental portrayal of the various factions that have emerged. It presents the debates over issues such as the nature of Christ, the interpretation of Scripture, and the role of the church in society, and shows how these debates have shaped Christian history and thought.

Furthermore, the series does not shy away from exploring the darker moments in Christian history. It delves into some of the most tragic and disturbing aspects of the religion, including the Crusades, the Inquisition, and the persecution of Jewish and other religious minorities. However, the show also highlights the many positive contributions Christianity has made to society, such as its role in the abolition of slavery and the promotion of human rights.

Overall, "Christianity: The First Two Thousand Years" is a fascinating and comprehensive exploration of one of the world's largest and most influential traditions. By providing a wide-ranging and engaging narrative, the series offers a wealth of insight into the complex history of Christianity and its ongoing role in shaping the world we live in today.

Filter by Source

No sources available

Do you have Apple TV?

What are you waiting for?

Nice! Browse Apple TV with Yidio.

Ad Info

Seasons

8. The Second Thousand Years, Episode 4

December 5, 2008

Christianity sees the rise of science, industry, and the modern nation-state, and for the first time church and state are separated. Narrated by Dorian Harewood.

7. The Second Thousand Years, Episode 3

December 5, 2008

Martin Luther, a lowly friar in a small German town, ignites a revolution that tears Christendom apart and reinvents it from within. The Protestants herald the end of the medieval world and the beginning of the modern age. Narrated by Dorian Harewood.

6. The Second Thousand Years, Episode 2

December 5, 2008

Overcoming threats, Western Christianity emerges as the driving force of civilization, leading Europe to unprecedented power and prestige. Narrated by Dorian Harewood.

5. The Second Thousand Years, Episode 1

December 5, 2008

By the year 1000, Christianity emerges as virtually the only faith in Western Europe, having survived a millennium of constant threat. But Western Europe is wracked by savage warfare, and to the south lies the greatest challenge of all--the Muslims. Narrated by Dorian Harewood.

4. The Faith Conquers

December 5, 2008

The Golden Age of Christianity began, appropriately enough, on January 1st. On that day in the year 800, the Pope placed a crown on the head of the Frankish king Charlemagne, declaring him the new Holy Roman Emperor. "The Faith Conquers" details the enlightened reforms that Charlemagne instituted, which lifted Europe from the Dark Ages and cemented Christianity as the cornerstone of Western Civilization. At the same time, military campaigns spread the Word of God through the power of the sword, while monks in the east invented a new alphabet to translate the Bible into Slavic tongues. By the year 1,000, all of Europe was part of Christendom. But the destruction of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem by Muslim warriors foretold of the violence that was soon to come.

3. Church and Empire

December 5, 2008

For 300 years, Christians were the target of violence and hatred in the Roman Empire. That changed overnight-literally-when the Emperor Constantine saw a vision of Jesus in a dream, the religion had gained its single most important convert. The clear evidence that Christianity was growing in power and influence leads many to question whether Constantine's conversion was genuine or a savvy political move. Here, experts on both sides of the issue agree that the effects of the conversion were more important than the reasons behind it. From the birth of the monastic movement to the shaping of the New Testament, "Church and Empire" traces the sweeping changes that eventually led to the triumph of the religion in the Western world, and the decline of the Roman Empire.

2. The Glory of Byzantium

December 5, 2008

Five centuries after the death of Jesus, Rome fell to the Goths, plunging Europe into the Dark Ages. Yet on either end of the continent, Christianity continued to grow, though it would soon face a new challenge. "The Glory of Byzantium" visits the magnificent sites of the Byzantine Empire. There, where its Christian Emperors claimed the title of "Vice-Regent of God," learning and culture flourished, while Europe suffered through the Dark Ages. But a new threat emerged on their doorstep, as Islam swept from the Arabian sands to conquer half of Christendom in only 100 years. The eventual answer to this danger lay to the west, in Ireland and the British Isles, where the followers of St. Patrick established a network of monasteries. Scholars reveal how, in this remote land, a religious revival was born that would spread throughout Europe.

1. The Founding of a Faith

December 5, 2008

They were one of many sects barely tolerated by the Roman Empire. But according to the Scriptures, fifty days after Jesus died at Calgary, his followers were "filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages." With that miraculous event, a religion was born. "The Founding of a Faith" consults ancient texts and modern scholars to chronicle the first centuries of Christianity, when Rome tried to destroy the new religion while converts spread the gospel throughout the Mediterranean. Follow in the footsteps of St. Paul, perhaps the most important early shaper of Christian belief. And see how even Emperor Diocletian's violent persecution of Christians could not check the growth of the faith that would eventually be adopted by his successor.

Description