Eight part history of the Christian faith, looking at its origins, development and turbulent past. High profile British personalities examine a religion that has particular resonance for them. Channel 4 series, not the BBC one. Ours is said to be a Godless age, yet billions remain faithful to religions thousands of years old. This provocative eight part series explores the history and global impact of the world’s biggest religion through the personal views of leading British figures. Over the course of the series, eight high profile personalities including Michael Portillo, Rageh Omaar, Kwame Kwei-Armah and Cherie Blair, look at the origins and history of the Christian faith. In each film the presenter addresses a subject that means something particular to them. In doing so, they bring their own perspectives to a challenging and comprehensive debate that explores Christianity’s role in shaping the modern world.
Episode 1 Jesus the Jew – Novelist Howard Jacobson kicks off the series with his personal take on Jesus the Jew. Leading British writer Howard Jacobson, a Jew himself, examines the origins and consequences of Christian belief. He argues that although Christianity originated in devout Judaism, for Jews it has been, for the most part, a calamity. Jacobson talks to Christian and Jewish scholars.