Like others, though, I don’t think the programme interviewed widely enough. I’m sure they could have included interviews with Messianic Jews (Jews who have become Christians) for example. Theologians outside the Vatican might have helped too. The history of most religions is appalling. Can’t argue with that. And yes no doubt it in some way it shaped a world where the Holocaust was allowed to happen, but I felt the programme was trying to critique a Christianity of the past (even if it was justified).

Most of the books that have found a home on my shelf in recent times make the fact that Jesus was Jewish fairly fundamental to uncovering the meaning of the teaching and life of Jesus. Tom Wright, Marcus Borg, Dallas Willard, Rob Bell, all want us to base what we do with the life and words of Jesus on his Jewish context. He was a Jew and I think most modern Christians think that to be important.

Using a non-English speaking Vatican theologian to give the official “modern Christian” line seemed to show the producers hand a little. And why with all their research budget, were they quoting from a translation of the bible that is 500 years old? There are plenty of modern translations around. Or was this just another subtle way of discrediting anything the writers of the NT said? It seems the gospel writers aren’t the only ones who can spin the story when they want to! The various quirky video montages of old Jesus films were probably trying to to do the same thing.

Apart from these gripes, the concept of the series works for me. Personally I can’t wait for the next episode, even if I am little worried about the prospect of Cherie Blair being able to plot the future path of Christianity in her final episode.

If you missed the show or reside outside the UK, you can still watch it online.