Simply a Powerful Historical Angle
C. Floyd | Mission Viejo, CA USA | 03/27/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I completely disagree with Robin E. Simmons (a.k.a. "Top 1000 Reviewer") review of 3/24/03; I believe she has become bias in all her "reviewing"; perhaps you need to slow down Robin. I did not see ANY political or religious bias in this AT ALL - that's what, not only made this fascinating, but very informative. It is raw and it is very powerful; I felt it cuts straight to the heart of the history surrounding the Apostles. It certainly put the flesh on the skeleton for me. Definitely check them out!!"
Excellent production value
Thomas More | Ottawa, Canada | 06/13/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This A and E production for the History Channel is a summary of the history of the 12 Apostles and of Paul. Martin Sheen's narration makes this a powerful production: he gives the stories presented both flavour and emotion. The visual images are also quite dramatic: panning the location of many of the biblical events were to have occurred, snippets of audiovisual productions telling the Christian story, and artistic works inspired by biblical events.
The only drawback is that the content is not particularly enlightening as the production does not deviate greatly from the four gospels, the Acts, and Paul's letters from the NT. I would agree with the last reviewer: there is no political message in this material: it is merely reciting the historical events during the first century of the church."
Good shows
Christopher M. Fulton | Streator, IL United States | 01/24/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Let's call this what this is, a show to help you understand who the Apostles were without having to sift through the New Testament. Not that the NT isn't a good read. Consider this sort of the Cliff Notes version. It allows you to get into their heads a little more to see the hows and whys of their following Jesus."
Very Informative and Excellent for RCIA and Other Catechism
Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 02/24/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These discs represent examples of excellently produced documentaries about what we currently know about the lives of the 13 Apostles of Jesus and Paul (13 because I'm including Matthias). The information here includes what we can glean from the gospels and the Acts as well as from the traditions and other writings by the early Church Fathers like Clement, Peter's successor and Polycarp, a disciple of John. Most of what is presented about Paul comes from both the Acts and from his letters which predate all the written gospels.
The dvds has been very well produced and hence have excellent visual and sound quality which is in Dolby Digital Stereo. This would be an excellent resource for bible study groups and for the RCIA and/or other catechetical group study as it provides a context and historical background to what is read in the bible and hence helps to bring the readings of the gospels, the Acts and Paul's letters to an easier level of understanding for those interested in knowing more about the early years of Christianity.
Highly recommended!"