for The B&B Media Group present "A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years " hosted by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Discovering the Surprising History of the First Christians

New DVD series examines Christianity’s global roots.



Click here to view the trailer!

Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX—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?”

While most Christian histories start with St. Paul’s mission to Rome, MacCulloch asserts that the Christianity stayed much closer to its Middle-Eastern roots and that, in fact, the first Christians actually took the eastern road from Jerusalem, spreading their faith across Asia, even to parts of China.

“Today, Christianity is seen as a Western faith. Indeed, many in the Muslim world would see Western lifestyles as Christian lifestyles. But Christianity is not by origin a Western religion,” MacCulloch says. “Its beginnings are in the Middle East, where there still exist churches which have been Eastern since the earliest Christian era. The story of the first Christianity tells us the Christian faith is, in fact, hugely diverse with many identities.”

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.

A scholar whose fascination with Christian history was cultivated at an early age, Diarmaid MacCulloch is the last in three generations of Anglican clergy. That personal connection enriches the storytelling, as he describes not only the main ideas and personalities of Christian history, its organization, and spirituality, but how it has changed our views on politics, sex, and human society.

“Religious belief can transform us for good or ill. It has brought human beings to acts of criminal folly as well as the highest achievements of goodness and creativity. I tell the story of both extremes,” MacCulloch says.

The twentieth century brought what many perceive to be the greatest threat to Christianity—skepticism and spiritual apathy. Still, MacCulloch contends that the future of Christianity is filled with possibilities.

The DVD set will arrive in stores, including Sam’s Club, in time for the Easter Season. The series will also be available on Amazon.com.


A History of Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years 6 DVD Set presented by Diarmaid MacCulloch

Thanks to the fine folks at The B&B Media Group, I was able to receive and preview Episode 1 of this very interesting look at the history of Christianity. At first I was a little put off by Mr. MacCulloch. While he seemed to know history, and know it well, I could not discern if he knew Jesus Christ personally. However, I continued watching and was glad to hear him say that this series wasn't not about theology or doctrine, but focused primarily on the spread of Christianity. He said a few things that were, in my opinion, unnecessary, but overall the first episode was very interesting. He dealt with the Jews who left Jerusalem around 70 A.D. that went east instead of west. He talked about the Syriac Church, and ended in China. I never really thought about Christianity spreading all the way to China in ancient times, however, our God is a BIG God. The information was fascinating, the scenery was breathtaking, and some of the old cathedrals he visited were enthralling. I am by no means an historical expert, however, I did enjoy Episode 1 and will be looking for the series in a 'store near me'!