December 31, 2008.

Not bad, but a little thin....

Rating: 4
This movie wasn't bad at all, but it felt a little short to me. The questions about the existence of the "historical" Jesus were very intriguing, but I would have liked a bit more depth on the background of the other religious figures whose pre-existing stories so closely followed the tales of the Gospels. Likewise, the interview with his school's director raises some important questions about the ethics of inculcating children with these belief systems, but it doesn't pursue really these questions with any depth. I really feel that an additional 30 minutes could have given a bit of breathing room to these and several other topics.

On the other hand, I can't say that I've seen any other documentaries that even discuss these questions at all, so my complaints will have to be weighed against all the things I did like about the film, which is why I did give it 4 stars.

December 29, 2008.

A+ Teacher Resource!.

Rating: 5
As a teacher of world history at an alternative high school in the Four Corners region of the country, I was refreshingly amazed to discover a film that I can use to orient my students to an academically sound timeline of early Christianity. More importantly, the interviews that accompany the body of the film are profoundly valuable classroom resources to introduce students to authentic academic discourse as it takes place among lively and fearless scholars. My students do not have an opportunity to experience anything cut of an even remotely similar fiber. A huge majority of lay conversations in this area are dominated or directed by organized religion's right-wing zealots. Even at the local college, instructors are cautioned against subjecting this community's paper-thin sensitivities to intellectual examination. Because students have simply never been exposed to the breadth of intellectual consideration in which religion is couched, this film represents a rich introduction to the complexities and curiosities that drive science, social science, history, and literature.

Beyond that, it is time we wrested the lectern from the bullies in the pulpit. They are tiresome simpletons, broken records, who shamelessly use fear and terror to constrain the parameters of acceptable discourse. This film inspires me to continue to point out the nakedness of the emperor, the heartless rigidity of intolerance, and the need to educate kids on the broadest scale possible.

Vicki Whitaker

December 23, 2008.

Smoke, Mirrors, Hype.

Rating: 1
I viewed this film for the first time and then marched into a debate setting with a young atheist. This was 2005 at the Oriental Theater in Denver, Colorado.

The film gives no solid arguments for its outrageous claim that Jesus never existed. But the cinematic mood is dramatic, however. A man recounts his loss of faith and his journey to justify atheism. You get talking heads of supposed experts giving factoids with no context or substance. You see ignorant Christians sputtering about, giving the impression that this is the best they can do.

Of course, this is a flaming crock. The scholarly world can marshal dozens of credentialed scholars who think the nonexistence of Jesus is absurd. These include the most liberal scholars, such as Crosson, Borg, and others. Further, one can cite evangelical scholars like Blomberg, NT Wright, Ben Witherington, Bock, and others to the effect that the Gospels are historically trustworthy to the point of Jesus' miracles and resurrection from the dead. There are a number of sources outside of the New Testament that testify to Jesus' existence: Josephus, Tacitus, Pliny the Younger, and so on. See the work of Van Voorst, FF Bruce, and Gary Habermas.

The attempt to link Jesus with mystery religions was discredited about fifty years ago. The mystery religions can later and bear little resemblance to the Gospels. See Ed Komoszewski, et al, Reinventing Jesus and Ron Nash, The Gospel and the Greeks.

If you study it out, you find that this film should be called, "The Argument That Wasn't There."

December 16, 2008.

Fun movie, Enjoyable, but short on content.

Rating: 4
I finally bought a copy of this movie and I really enjoyed it. Flemming gives an excellent overview of why Christianity's beliefs are founded in nothing more than myths. It takes you through a quick summary of what so many atheists have known for so long. And it's entertaining to watch.

He also gives a pretty startling summary of Mel Gibson's pet movie about Jesus.

However, like any movie of this length, one can only pack so much information into it. I doubt many Christians will stop believing after watching this movie. Rather, I would hope that this movie will open their eyes to issues they might not be aware of, and they will go searching for more answers. In that regard, the movie should be thought of as a brief introduction to the topics laid out.

Jeff Mark
Author, Christian No More

December 07, 2008.

A total waste of time.

Rating: 1
As someone who makes study of religious debate a hobby, I was very interested to see this film. I was hoping to find a well-thought out, well researched Atheist opinion; what I found was a poorly made argument based on loosely stitched together bits of research. Not once was there a serious historical conversation that supported his views, nor was there a serious conversation that opposed his views. The archetypal mythology was ignored, with the exception of a 5-minute overview of the hero archetype.

Furthermore, I felt that the point of this film was to make Atheists seem correct and intelligent while making Christians seem backwards, foolish, and tyrannical. However, what this film actually did was make the director/narrator come across as a bitter, childish man who blames religion for his problems rather than taking responsibility himself.

As other reviews have said, if you are an Atheist, you will be ashamed of this film, and don't bother watching. If you are a Christian seeking to challenge yourself and grow in your faith, you will be greatly disappointed, and don't bother watching.