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From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians, Part Two (full documentary) | FRONTLINE

FRONTLINE PBS | Official・64 minutes read

The story of Jesus Christ has been retold for over 2,000 years, shaping early Christianity and the development of the New Testament Gospels by Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John. Constantine's reign saw the integration of Christianity into the Roman Empire, marking a pivotal moment where the Kingdom of God and the Roman Empire became intertwined.

Insights

  • The siege of Masada, where Jewish rebels faced a Roman siege and chose mass suicide, symbolized a noble failure for the Jewish people.
  • The Gospels of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John offer distinct perspectives on Jesus, with Mark portraying him as a mysterious figure challenging traditional views.
  • Christianity's growth and integration into Roman society faced persecution, but Constantine's support led to the religion becoming part of the imperial establishment, marking a significant shift in history.

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Recent questions

  • How did the story of Jesus Christ evolve over time?

    The story of Jesus Christ has been retold for over 2,000 years, with each generation finding its own meaning. It began with Jesus' first followers and was further developed in the Gospels. The building of Christianity was shaped by the oral passing down of stories before being written in the New Testament, reflecting on Jesus' life, death, and teachings. Each gospel, from Mark to John, offered a unique perspective on Jesus, his teachings, and his significance, contributing to the diverse narrative of Christianity.

  • What was the significance of the siege of Masada?

    The defenders of Masada, a fortress near Jerusalem, faced a Roman siege, leading to their mass suicide as recounted by Josephus. This event symbolized a noble failure for the Jewish people, showcasing their resistance against Roman rule. The siege of Masada became a significant historical event, highlighting the struggle and sacrifice of Jewish rebels during the war against Rome.

  • How did early Christians navigate challenges after the first revolt?

    Early Christians faced a crisis after the failure of the first revolt, prompting them to rethink their beliefs and stories about Jesus. The destruction of the temple led to a new era for Judaism, with the emergence of rabbis and new leadership. The Gospel of Mark, the oldest in the New Testament, initiated the gospel tradition with a dramatic account of Jesus' life and death, challenging traditional views and offering hope for the future.

  • What differentiated the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John?

    The gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each offered a unique perspective on Jesus and his teachings. Matthew's gospel emphasized Jesus' connection to Israel, while Luke's gospel highlighted Jesus as a powerful prophet and scholar. John's gospel, written later than the others, portrayed a serene Jesus with reflective speech, differing symbolically and thematically from the synoptic gospels. Each gospel catered to different audiences and theological emphases, contributing to the diverse narrative of Christianity.

  • How did Christianity integrate into Roman society under Constantine?

    Constantine's reign marked a significant shift for Christianity, as he favored integrating the religion into the imperial administration. He supported the construction of churches, copied scriptures, and exempted clergy from civic duties. Constantine's support led to the emergence of the cross as a symbol of triumph, intertwining the Kingdom of God with the Roman Empire. This integration of Christianity into the imperial establishment marked a new chapter in history, solidifying the presence of Christianity in Roman society.

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Summary

00:00

"Jesus, Masada, and Early Christianity"

  • The story of Jesus Christ has been retold for over 2,000 years, with each generation finding its own meaning.
  • The building of Christianity began with Jesus' first followers and was further developed in the Gospels.
  • Masada, a fortress near Jerusalem, became a refuge for Jewish rebels during the war against Rome.
  • The defenders of Masada faced a Roman siege, leading to their mass suicide, as recounted by Josephus.
  • The siege of Masada was a significant event, symbolizing a noble failure for the Jewish people.
  • The destruction of the temple led to a new era for Judaism, with the emergence of rabbis and new leadership.
  • Early Christians faced a crisis after the failure of the first revolt, rethinking their beliefs and stories about Jesus.
  • Stories of Jesus were orally passed down before being written in the New Testament, shaping the early Christian community.
  • The Gospel of Mark, the oldest in the New Testament, reflects on the destruction of the temple and Jesus' life and death.
  • Mark's portrayal of Jesus as a mysterious figure with a "messianic secret" challenges traditional views and offers hope for the future.

19:06

Origins of Gospel Tradition: Mark, Matthew, Luke

  • Mark initiated the gospel tradition with a dramatic account of Jesus' life and death.
  • Matthew and Luke built upon Mark's story, incorporating his 16 chapters into their own gospels.
  • These three gospels, known as the synoptic gospels, share a common understanding.
  • Scholars identified a shared sequence and content in Matthew and Luke that wasn't present in Mark.
  • The identical sayings of Jesus in Greek suggest a written translation source, referred to as "Q."
  • "Q" presents Jesus as an apocalyptic figure, differing from Mark's portrayal.
  • "Q" focuses solely on Jesus' sayings, offering a distinct perspective on his teachings.
  • Matthew's gospel, the most Jewish of the gospels, emphasizes Jesus' connection to Israel.
  • Matthew's community, located in Galilee or Syria, faced tensions with Pharisees post-war.
  • Luke's gospel, written for a Gentile audience, highlights Jesus as a powerful prophet and scholar.

35:16

"Luke's Gospel: Literary Quality and Roman Citizenship"

  • Luke's gospel is considered to have the highest literary quality in the New Testament, contrasting with Mark's cruder grammar.
  • Luke, believed to be a physician, wrote in a style more familiar to the Greco-Roman literary culture.
  • Luke's gospel addresses the question of whether Christians can be good citizens of the Roman Empire, aiming to show Jesus' teachings align with good citizenship.
  • In Luke's Book of Acts, Paul is depicted positively, treated kindly by Roman guards.
  • Luke's narrative is more critical of Judaism, portraying Jews in a hostile light during Paul's visit to a synagogue.
  • Luke/Acts is the first time followers of Jesus are explicitly called "Christians," reflecting a shift away from Jewish roots towards Roman society.
  • Luke's story progresses westward, from Jerusalem to Rome, focusing on the Roman church.
  • The Gospel of John, written about 70 years after Jesus' death, portrays a serene Jesus with reflective and revelatory speech.
  • John's gospel differs symbolically from the other three gospels, emphasizing Jesus as the Passover meal and using language with political undertones.
  • The Bar Kokhba revolt, a millennial and messianic uprising against Rome, led to the final failure of Jewish resistance and a shift towards a spiritual vision of the Kingdom of God.

52:23

Christianity's Revolutionary Rise in Pagan Rome

  • Rabbinic Judaism and Christianity diverged in the Roman Coliseum, where Christians were persecuted.
  • Rome tolerated all religions as long as they worshipped the emperor, leading to conflict with Christians.
  • Christianity was a minority religion in the pagan Roman Empire.
  • Paganism was a diverse, tolerant religion with various gods and spirits.
  • People sought solace in spiritual and personal forms of religion, including mystery cults.
  • Egyptian cults, like that of Isis, and Mithraism posed competition to Christianity.
  • Christianity's message of equality for all was revolutionary in a society with slaves.
  • Early Christianity was diverse, as seen in the Nag Hammadi texts.
  • Pliny the Younger faced a moral dilemma in persecuting Christians in Bithynia.
  • Christians were seen as anti-social for not participating in Roman rituals and festivals.

01:10:08

Early Christianity: Novel Religion, Persecution, Martyrdom

  • Christianity began under Pontius Pilate, making it a novel religion from the Roman perspective.
  • Due to its newness, Christianity was considered a superstition rather than a religion by the Romans.
  • A graffiti inscription in Rome depicted Christians in a derogatory manner, showing Alexamenos worshipping a donkey-headed figure on a cross.
  • Christians were seen as outcasts in their own society and were blamed for natural disasters due to not fulfilling their heavenly duties.
  • Persecution of Christians was increasing, leading them to face the choice of renouncing their faith or sacrificing their lives.
  • Perpetua, a young woman martyred in Carthage, insisted on being killed for her Christian beliefs.
  • Perpetua's prison diary details her resolve to face martyrdom, even giving birth shortly before her death.
  • The martyrdom of Perpetua, along with other martyrs, was seen as heroic and served to strengthen the faith of other Christians.
  • Christianity faced internal debates and divisions, with different groups following various calendars and traditions.
  • The Gospel of Thomas, a collection of sayings of Jesus, influenced Gnostic Christianity with its emphasis on self-knowledge and secret wisdom.

01:26:22

Early Christian Canon and Growth Amid Persecution

  • Irenaeus believed in four gospels as the proper number, citing symbolic reasons like the four corners of the world and four beasts in the apocalypse.
  • A consensus among early Christians determined what literature was reliable and should be included in the canon.
  • The inclusion of the suffering and death of Jesus in the gospels was crucial for Christian ritual, particularly the Eucharist.
  • The four-gospel canon aimed to unite diverse Christian communities under one major church.
  • Art in catacombs depicted Jesus as a healer, emphasizing his humanity and accessibility.
  • Christians integrated pagan themes and images into their art as they moved into more pagan spheres.
  • Christianity offered dignity and hope to individuals, as well as practical support to the needy, establishing a realm of mutual social support.
  • By 250 AD, Christianity had grown significantly, necessitating a stronger church organization to administer welfare systems.
  • The Roman Empire faced a crisis in the middle of the third century, leading to widespread persecution of Christians under Emperor Decius.
  • Despite persecution, Christianity continued to grow and eventually became entrenched in Roman society, making eradication impossible.

01:43:09

Constantine: Uniting Empire and Christianity

  • Constantine won the battle of the Milvian Bridge, became the sole emperor of the Roman Empire, and relocated the capital from Rome to Constantinople to reunite a divided empire.
  • Constantine favored integrating Christianity into the imperial administration, supporting the building of churches, copying scriptures, and exempting clergy from civic duties.
  • Constantine's support for Christianity led to the construction of churches, increased salaries for bishops, and freedom for Christians to worship, integrating Christianity into the imperial establishment.
  • Constantine's reign saw the emergence of the cross as a symbol of triumph, fulfilling apocalyptic prophecies, and marking the beginning of a new chapter in history where the Kingdom of God and the Roman Empire became intertwined.
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