Season 1 2011

This episode investigates the story of Jesus from his birth to the beginning of his ministry, when he performed some of his famous healings and miracles. Expert analysis is provided by Dr Simon Gathercole of Cambridge University, who visits Bethlehem to investigate the stories of Jesus's birth; Professor James Strange of Florida University, who uses the archaeology of Galilee to explore Jesus's childhood, the lost years of his life; Dr Joan Taylor of London University, who examines the key character of John the Baptist and his influence on Jesus; and Professor Greg Carey of Lancaster Seminary, who investigates some of Jesus's key miracles, their meaning and significance.

This episode follows Jesus from his controversial teaching in Galilee to the climax of his life in Jerusalem. Professor Obery Hendricks of the New York Theological Seminary investigates the original revolutionary meaning of Jesus's teaching, and how the church has tried to downplay its real significance. Professor Ben Witherington investigates Jesus's decision to confront the authorities in Jerusalem, and how he revealed his true identity in secret to his disciples several months before he went to the city. Dr Helen Bond and Dr Andrew Skinner investigate the last week of Jesus's life, and the real meaning of the trials he underwent before the Jewish and Roman authorities. And Professor Tom Wright, former Bishop of Durham and now a research professor at St Andrew's University, investigates the historical truth of the resurrection and its part in Christianity's beginnings as a new religion.