History of Christianity

Watch History of Christianity

  • 2000
  • 1 Season
  • 7.8  (287)

History of Christianity, starring Diarmaid MacCulloch originally aired in 2009 and is an engaging documentary series that delves deep into the roots of the Christian faith. This six-part documentary spans over a period of 2000 years and explores the diverse and often complex history of Christianity, from its origins in Palestine through the current day.

The show is hosted by Diarmaid MacCulloch, a renowned professor of Church History at the University of Oxford, who has made a name for himself as an authority in religious studies. Diarmaid MacCulloch takes audiences on a journey through the history of Christianity, exploring the origins of the faith, how it evolved over time, and its role in shaping the world we know today.

The series is visually stunning, filled with gorgeous location footage and impressive re-enactments of historic moments in Christianity's past. It also features insightful interviews with leading religious scholars, theologians, and historians from around the world, all of whom provide valuable insights into Christianity's sprawling history and the diverse range of beliefs and practices that have evolved over the centuries.

The first episode introduces viewers to the origins of Christianity, including its roots in Judaism and its spread throughout the Mediterranean region. MacCulloch explains how the earliest Christians believed that Christ was the son of God and how this belief was transformed and reinforced over time. Each subsequent episode focuses on a different period in history, exploring the rise and fall of major religious movements and the politics and demographics that influenced their development.

One particularly fascinating episode delves into the Protestant Reformation, a period of great upheaval and change in the Christian world. This episode examines how the Reformation fundamentally transformed Christianity, leading to the rise of new denominations and a renewed emphasis on faith and scripture. It also explores the impact of the Reformation on the broader culture and how it contributed to the rise of modernity.

History of Christianity also explores key moments in the faith's history that are often overlooked, such as the growth of Christianity in Africa and Asia. This is particularly important given the strength of Christianity in these regions today and the role it continues to play in shaping cultures and societies across the globe.

Overall, History of Christianity is a thoughtful and engaging documentary series that provides a thorough and nuanced look at the history of one of the world's largest and most influential religions. MacCulloch's expertise and insights are on full display, making this an essential watch for anyone interested in religious history or the role of Christianity in shaping the modern world.

History of Christianity is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (6 episodes). The series first aired on May 3, 2000.

History of Christianity
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Seasons
Part VI: Christian Movement in an Age of Uncertainty
6. Part VI: Christian Movement in an Age of Uncertainty
May 3, 2000
This is a survey course designed to further stimulate your curiosity by providing glimpses of some of the pivotal events in the spread Christianity and sketches of great Christian figures who have significantly affected Christian history thereby shaping the history of the world. PART VI: Christian Movement in an Age of Uncertainty -- From the fall of Bastille in 1789 (marking the beginning of the French Revolution) to the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 (marking the end of communism), study the Christian movement in an age of uncertainty. William Carey, the "father of modern missions" carries the Gospel to India; others followed to remote regions -- people like David Livingstone, Lottie Moon, Henry Martyn, and Hudson Taylor. Explore the Christian Church as it moves into all the world.
Part V: Christianity in the New World
5. Part V: Christianity in the New World
May 3, 2000
This is a survey course designed to further stimulate your curiosity by providing glimpses of some of the pivotal events in the spread Christianity and sketches of great Christian figures who have significantly affected Christian history thereby shaping the history of the world. PART V: Christianity in the New World -- America was the land of new beginnings. Europe represented for Americans a corrupt past, whose contamination they wished to escape. This period includes the study of great traditions such as the Puritans and Quakers, and great movements such as the First Great Awakening.
Part IV: The Age of Reason and Piety
4. Part IV: The Age of Reason and Piety
May 3, 2000
This is a survey course designed to further stimulate your curiosity by providing glimpses of some of the pivotal events in the spread Christianity and sketches of great Christian figures who have significantly affected Christian history thereby shaping the history of the world. PART IV: The Age of Reason and Piety -- During the two centuries between the death of Martin Luther in 1546 and the conversion of John Wesley in 1738, the Christian world experienced a major paradigm shift from an "age of faith" to an "age of reason." On the heels of Copernicus' discovery that the earth is not the center of the universe, rose "the Enlightenment" -- a movement that shifted the focus away from God and to human creativity.
Part III: The Reformation
3. Part III: The Reformation
May 3, 2000
This is a survey course designed to further stimulate your curiosity by providing glimpses of some of the pivotal events in the spread Christianity and sketches of great Christian figures who have significantly affected Christian history thereby shaping the history of the world. PART III: The Reformation -- It was an age of exploration and discovery, of art and literature. The Medieval Church, however, had placed too much emphasis on the church as an institution. As a result, the papacy enjoyed unusual power often coupled with unusual corruption. Cries of reform were heard all over Europe. The Protestant Reformation of the sixteenth century was a tremendous movement of spiritual and ecclesial renewal.
Part II: The Church in the Middle Ages
2. Part II: The Church in the Middle Ages
May 3, 2000
This is a survey course designed to further stimulate your curiosity by providing glimpses of some of the pivotal events in the spread Christianity and sketches of great Christian figures who have significantly affected Christian history thereby shaping the history of the world. PART II: The Church in the Middle Ages -- During this period in history, universities, monasteries, and museums were established. The Church, with her majestic Cathedrals, joined these institutions in influencing society. But this interaction with culture was not without difficulties: barbarian invasion, crusades, the Muslim challenge. Also, during this period, Christendom was divided into the Eastern Church and the Western Church.
Part I: The Early Church
1. Part I: The Early Church
May 3, 2000
This is a survey course designed to further stimulate your curiosity by providing glimpses of some of the pivotal events in the spread Christianity and sketches of great Christian figures who have significantly affected Christian history thereby shaping the history of the world. PART I: The Early Church -- From the executions of Peter and Paul in Rome to the death of Augustine in North Africa, we follow the Early Church as she emerges from the womb of Judaism to survive horrendous persecution and become established in the Roman world. Explore what took place at the early Ecumenical Councils and how the great doctrines of the Church were formulated.
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Where to Watch History of Christianity
History of Christianity is available for streaming on the Vision Video website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch History of Christianity on demand at Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    May 3, 2000
  • IMDB Rating
    7.8  (287)