A.D.: THE BIBLE CONTINUES
Empowered to change the world through the power of the Resurrection.
Should You Watch It?
A.D.: THE BIBLE CONTINUES brings the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ into the lives of His disciples and the Roman world. This first episode focuses on the trial of Jesus, the high priest's fear that He will provoke Rome, Pilate's pursuit of peace at any cost, and Peter's failing courage after Jesus is arrested.
The episode powerfully shows the earthquake in Jerusalem, the tearing of the Temple veil, and the Resurrection's effect on the disciples. It is more powerful, cohesive, and better filmed than THE BIBLE series, with an especially powerful ending.
Because the program takes time to cover important historical facts, its dramatic arc is slightly diminished. Even so, this is powerful television, powerful art, and powerful theology. You should watch it with your family.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESThe episode begins with the trial of Jesus and follows the people caught around it: a high priest convinced Jesus is a false messiah, Pilate trying to preserve peace in Jerusalem and Israel, and Peter struggling after Jesus is arrested.
As the Crucifixion and Resurrection reshape the disciples and the Roman world, the episode asks what happens when frightened followers encounter the power of Jesus Christ.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this episode is an outstanding work of television. The filmmakers marry the history of the Bible with a powerful dramatic story, making the episode more powerful, cohesive, and better filmed than THE BIBLE series.
The Crucifixion's impact, the earthquake in Jerusalem, and the tearing of the Temple veil are handled powerfully. The episode's ending is particularly effective. Its attention to important historical facts slightly diminishes the dramatic arc, but the overall achievement remains excellent.
The Worldview
A.D.: THE BIBLE CONTINUES presents a very strong Christian, biblical worldview centered on the impact of Jesus Christ's Resurrection. It emphasizes who Jesus is and the difference the Resurrection made in the disciples, who went forth to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ and transformed the Roman Empire.
The program shows the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension as events with power not only in the disciples' lives but also across the Roman world. It presents the disciples' courage and mission as flowing from what Jesus accomplished.
Some casting decisions are unusual and raise questions, including several non-Jewish and African-American actors playing John and other key figures. Looking beyond those decisions, the episode remains great television, great art, and great theology.
The Resurrection is the center of Christian hope: “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong Christian, biblical worldview about the impact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the disciples and their impact on the world; no foul language; intense violence but nothing over-the-top, including the crucifixion of Jesus, but much less visual than PASSION OF THE CHRIST; no sex; no sexual nudity but naturalistic upper male nudity; wine; no smoking; and, villains conspire against Jesus and His apostles.
Talk About It
Four questions for the couch, the commute, or the couple bingeing it together.
How does the Resurrection change the disciples’ understanding of Jesus and their mission?
Matthew 28:18–20 · Acts 1:8Peter’s courage fails when Jesus is arrested. What can Jesus’ restoration of Peter teach us about failure and renewed faith?
John 21:15–17The episode shows the Crucifixion affecting the Temple and the Roman world. What does Jesus’ death accomplish according to Scripture?
Matthew 27:50–51 · Colossians 1:19–20The disciples went forth to spread the Good News. Where is Christ calling His followers to speak and serve today?
Romans 1:16 · Acts 4:20The Final Word
A.D.: THE BIBLE CONTINUES is powerful television, powerful art, and powerful theology. Its first episode clearly shows the Resurrection’s impact on the disciples and the world around them. Watch it with confidence: WORTH WATCHING.
