2000 Years Of Christianity: Episode XI - Machines And Men

The Romantic Era dreamed itself back to a legendary Middle Ages. The Catholic Church with its customs and sensuous displays came back in fashion, at least among artists and literati. However, it mourned lost privileges and regarded the people's striving for democracy and national independence as dangerous developments. Darwin's discovery of evolution came as a shock to many Christians. Science and belief appeared as irreconcilable opposites.

The real problems of the age lay somewhere else. The steam engine set the industrial age in motion. Uprooted people gathered in the explosively growing cities. Their quest for meaning of life remained unanswered for a long time. The churches were blind to the destitution of the workers. Marxism and social democracy offer ideological substitutes. Individual Christians, however, did assume some responsibility. The European colonial powers played the role of bringers of salvation to the world and tried to push each other out of the picture. Dark clouds arose on the horizon.

This series explore the archaeology and origins of Christianity and how it came into the world. Filmed on location in actual historical and biblical sites, this series features many memorable, full-scale dramatic re-creations.