Aside from the religious aspects, The Bible series was also very good history. For example, every other film I’ve seen on Jesus ended with his crucifiction or resurrection. This one told what came after, what the apostles did and what happened to them. I found that fascinating, especially John. I didn’t know he survived a poisoning and was exiled and then wrote Revelation.
The historical connection (at least in my view) was never made between the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire. Their power started to crumble as people started to say, I kneel before God, I need not kneel before you. Kill me if you want, I will not obey. Empires and power structures just can’t take that.
RE: John the Apostle
Well, According to Tertullian (in The Prescription of Heretics) John was banished (presumably to Patmos) after being plunged into boiling oil in Rome and suffering nothing from it. It is said that all in the entire Colosseum audience were converted to Christianity upon witnessing this miracle. This event would have occurred during the reign of Domitian, a Roman emperor who was known for his persecution of Christians in the late 1st century.
I agree. The post-resurrection content was the best I’ve seen. It was the beginning of Christianity. Only God could have conveyed his teaching to so many, so quickly with so few. “as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world”. Ya gotta believe.
RE: The historical connection (at least in my view) was never made between the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire.
Rome fells hundreds of years later after John died.
Constantine the Emperor converted to Christianity ( and most of Rome with him ). In 313 Constantine issued the “Edict of Milan,” which commanded official toleration of Christianity and other religions.
I’d suggest the History Channel to continue with the HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY. Now, that would be a worthwhile project.