Showing posts with label Christian History. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian History. Show all posts

3.17.2022

Pangur Bán Celtic Fantasies Series ~ Spotlight

For St. Patrick's Day,
I'm featuring the Pangur Bán Celtic Fantasies Series
by Fay Sampson.

The books in this series include Pangur Bán the White Cat, Finnglas of the Horses, Finnglas and the Stones of Choosing, Shape-Shifter: The Naming of Pangur Bán (which is actually a prequel), The Serpent of Senargad, and The White Horse is Running.



Finnglas of the Horses was my introduction to this series and it was in one of those fun mystery boxes with 10-20 books in it. Well, I loved the book and had to track down the other 5 books which took more than 15 years, and a few purchases from used online books stores in England.

Shape-Shifter was my least favorite book in the series, but it was set in the time when the old ways were fighting against the new when Christians came to share the Good News with the Celtic people.

The rest of the books seem to flow together better from one story to the next. Princess Finnglas is in the five remaining books and her personality and determination along with her friends make this an excellent series to read and enjoy (if you can locate them).

Shape-Shifter: The Naming of Pangur Bán
Deep in a mountain cave a witch is plotting mischief: "We need something small, something sly, to carry a spell . . . and then we shall see who reigns on the Black Mountain!"  The kitten Shape-Shifter is her victim.
 
But before the charm is complete, the kitten escapes. He flees, in a terrifying chase, caught in a spell gone wrong and a shape that he cannot control. He brings disaster even to those who want to help him. Is there another power that can break the spell?


Pangur Bán the White Cat
“Now! Now you shall see what happens to those who would break the spell of mermaids!” 

Deep down in the underwater kingdom, Princess Finnglas is in the deadly grip of an evil sea monster, and the mermaids have bewitched Niall. Pangur Bán, the white cat, is desperate. He must rescue them—but how? Only Arthmael can do it. But who is Arthmael? And where is he? Can Pangur Bán find him in time?

Finnglas of the Horses
Princess Finnglas is on a quest to find her beloved lost horse, but this is only the beginning of a great adventure and a continuing struggle against dark forces.

Finnglas and the Stones of Choosing
"On, Cloud–Clearer, on!" screamed Princess Finnglas. But she knew her horse was already pouring out all his strength. And the rival black stallion was still ahead. 

Finnglas is riding for her life and the crown. If she loses, she will die and the Summer Land will fall into the grip of evil powers. But this race is only the first of the Seven Trials. There are more terrifying tests ahead.

The Serpent of Senargad
Under the spell of the evil Rhymester the once peaceful kingdom of Senargad has become a place of fear, death, and destruction, where the savage Wolf-Guard roam the country and prisoners are held captive in subterranean caverns by the terrible Serpent of Senargad.


The White Horse is Running
Princess Finnglas and the white cat Pangur Báan set out to recapture an unbroken white colt which, according to legend, may unwittingly force their people into battle.



Duncan decided to help me pose the books and in honor of the day wore a cute Shamrock vest and tie.


11.12.2021

A Saint A Day ~ Review

A Saint A Day:
365 True Stories of Faith and Heroism
By Meredith Hinds
Illustrated by Isabel Munoz

A Saint A Day is a year-long devotional that each day presents a different recognized Saint. From the introduction, we learn that the Saints have been vetted by the Catholic Church and have either achieved sainthood or are on their way to becoming a named Saint. Now I will admit, not having been raised within the Catholic Church to having only a passing familiarity with a few of these individuals. 

January 1st opens the book with Mary, the mother of Jesus and references Luke 1:38 where Mary declares her willingness to be used by God. The devotional text puts the Scripture reference in the context of just what God was asking of her - to carry His Son as her own. May 30th references Joan of Arc and the courage it took for her to listen and follow God's calling. June 4th shares Julia Greeley's serving heart and care of the poor. There is a wide range of people throughout history from the early days of the church through the 20th century who are presented.

This book though geared for children 8-12 could be used by older readers easily. Would be a good gift for special occasions.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:
Teach your child to walk in faith, act justly, and lead with kindness and humility with this 365-day devotional for kidsA Saint a Day includes fascinating historical stories as it introduces young readers to over 300 saints who did extraordinary things for God.
Mother Teresa left her family at age 18 to become a missionary. St. Patrick helped spread Christianity to Ireland. St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin--and also had a pet lion!
Written for ages 8 to 12, A Saint a Day inspires young readers with remarkable stories of people who made extraordinary choices to love and serve God. Featuring popular saints such as Teresa of Avila, Francis of Assisi, Juan Diego, and Thomas Aquinas, each of the 365 devotions includes:
  • A Scripture verse and prayer
  • A short summary or an inspiring story of a saint
  • A notable fact
  • Artwork with a fresh, kid-friendly design
 
This daily devotional for kids is:
  • An ideal gift for First Communion, Confirmation, or Advent
  • A unique book for strengthening a child's faith
  • A great way to share Catholic Church history with kids
 
A Saint a Day will help your child realize the long history of people of faith. As you journey through this yearlong devotional, your children will grow in their understanding of Church history and better understand how they can love and serve God.
Meredith Hinds is a freelance writer and editor who develops books for all audiences and ages, particularly in the Christian market. She’s worked with bestselling authors Philip Yancey and Mark Batterson, and she’s served as a collaborator, abridger, consultant, and teammate for many others. She’s always up for a good story. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children.
Isabel Muñoz studied fine arts at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. To paint for a living was her dream, and now she’s proud to be the illustrator of several children’s books. She works from a tiny and colorful studio in the north of Spain. You can follow her work at isabelmg.com.

Author Bio

Reviews:

Monday, November 1st: @lovemybooks2020

Wednesday, November 3rd: @jenniaahava

Friday, November 5th: The Bookish Dilettante

Monday, November 8th: @irishgirliereads

Wednesday, November 10th: @arrow_reads

Friday, November 12th: Blooming with Books and @bloomingwbooks

Tuesday, November 16th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Thursday, November 18th: She Just Loves Books and @shejustlovesbooks

Friday, November 19th: View from the Birdhouse

Wednesday, November 24th: @rozierreadsandwine

Monday, November 29th: @parksidereads

Instagram features:

Wednesday, December 1st: @shobizreads

Thursday, December 2nd: @nerdy_book_lover_1987

Friday, December 3rd: @books_with_bethany

Monday, December 6th: @travelerswife4life

Tuesday, December 7th: @barr_bookworm

Wednesday, December 8th: @kristens.reading.nook

Friday, December 10th: @djreadsbooks

4.26.2021

Death and a Crocodile ~ Review with Author Q&A and Giveaway

Death and a Crocodile
By Lisa E. Betz

Livia Aemilia is less than pleased when her father breaks off the understanding that has been between her and her best friend Marcellus. Worse in less than 3 months, he has found another man willing to agree to a marriage arrangement. Determined to become her own woman, Livia's hopes are further dashed as Avitus is an Advocate with a quick mind who no doubt will keep her as stifled as her father tries to do. 

But in a moment her world is upturned when her father is murdered. When the facts don't match with the assumption of murder by robbers Livia and her brother become suspicious. But then her brother Curio is accused of the murder and Livia's fate may be in the hands of her conniving uncle. What's a girl to do? Investigate the murder yourself, of course.

There is just one little problem, Livia is just 16 years old, has no investigative skills, and has not frequented the unsavory sections of Rome that may hold the answers to seek. But with the help of her newest maidservant, she may have a chance of living through the experience but only if she can outwit a killer, her brother, her uncle, and the two men who want to marry her. And she'll need the prayers and assistance of those who share her new faith too.

Set in 47 AD Rome, Death and a Crocodile is an enjoyable read as the reader is taken on a journey through Ancient Rome. This is not your normal fiction story set in Rome that centers on Roman campaigns to expand and maintain their territories nor does it focus on entertainments the empire revealed in. Rather it focuses on a young woman and her close circle of friends, family, and servants and how she deals with a world that isn't ready for her independent ways. It is Livia's struggle to be something more and learning that sometimes limitations are not to squelch thought but are in fact a protective measure. 

I really enjoyed getting to know Livia and Roxana and would enjoy additional books featuring them as well as Curio and Avitus and those who share Livia's faith in Christ. Livia's faith is not a major focus of the book but it is mentioned on several occasions so it is an important part of who she is. Livia's youth is not mentioned really beyond the opening scenes with her but it is important to remember that she is a teenager though more mature than what one would expect in today's world, but this is a different world than ours.

If one is looking for a historical murder mystery with a Christian undertone that is not overly graphic or if you are looking for a fiction set during the Roman Empire this is one you will want to check out. The book is an easy read at 316 pages and the type is a decent-sized font so it is not an overly wordy 300+ pages. I actually learned a few things about this world and time that I had not previously learned during Ancient World history so this was a definite bonus in my opinion. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-written engaging read.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.


Death and a Crocodile by Lisa Betz
CrossLink Publishing
321 pages
ISBN: 978-1633573161

Sensible women don't investigate murders, but Livia Aemilia might not have a choice.

Rome, 47 AD. When Livia's father dies under suspicious circumstances, she sets out to find the killer before her innocent brother is convicted of murder. She may be an amateur when it comes to hunting dangerous criminals, but she's determined, intelligent, and not afraid to break a convention or two in pursuit of the truth. Plus, she's adopted a radical new faith that encourages her to believe a woman and a handful of servants can actually solve a murder.

Can she uncover the culprit before powerful men realize what she's up to and force her to stop? Or will her snooping land her in deadly peril?

A lighthearted historical mystery set in first-century Rome, featuring a feisty amateur sleuth, a cast of eccentric characters, and an unrepentant, sausage-snatching cat.

About the Author:

Lisa E. Betz worked as an engineer, substitute teacher, and play director before becoming an award-winning mystery writer. She draws inspiration from thirty-five years of leading Bible studies to create fast-paced mysteries set in the first-century world of the early church.

Lisa brings her analytic mind, quirky humor, and creative soul/unconventional mindset to all she writes. She is passionate about inspiring others (real and fictional) to become their best selves, living with intention, authenticity, and purpose.

In addition to historical novels, she has written humor articles, over seventy drama sketches, one full-length play, and a short non-fiction book. Her first mystery novel was a finalist in the ACFW Genesis contest and Death and a Crocodile was named the Gold Medal winner in the 2021 Illumination Book Awards in the Mystery/Thriller category.

She serves as Managing Editor of Almost an Author, a website by and for writers, where she also writes a monthly column called “The Intentional Writer.” She enjoys speaking to groups large and small on topics related to Roman history, writing, intentional living, and faith. When not writing, or speaking, she can be found volunteering at The Village Library of Morgantown or experimenting with ancient Roman cooking.

She resides in Pennsylvania with her husband of thirty-plus years and a rambunctious cat named Scallywag who may be the inspiration for the unrepentant, sausage-snatching Nemesis.

For more information on Lisa, visit www.lisabetz.com


“When I first began to dabble with writing, I thought I wanted to write middle-grade fiction,” says Betz. “It was only recently that I decided to attempt writing a historical mystery. I would have never guessed five or ten years ago that I would enjoy writing a mystery series with a snarky female lead.”

“Books can bring light by showing us things we didn’t know before or clarifying what used to be confusing,” says Betz. “Books can expand our universe in many ways, taking us into the lives of people in different cultures, different lands, different times, different societies. Books are powerful because they can change lives.”

Author Q and A:
1. What drew you to set a mystery in first-century Rome?
My interest in ancient Roman culture stems from many years of teaching Bible studies. I have
tried to absorb as much as possible about the culture and history of the Roman Empire so I
can bring the ancient world to life and make the Bible more relevant to modern Christians.
I chose the mid-first century because I couldn’t write a light-hearted story with a snarky
main character that was set during the Great Fire of Rome, or the persecutions that came
after that. I’ve chosen to set the novel during the reign of Emperor Claudius, which means
the story takes place a dozen years before Paul first visits the city.
One of the challenges I faced when researching this time period is a lack of “inside
information” about the earliest days of church history. Most of what we know about how the
early Christian churches functioned comes from later periods when persecution was a
problem and the Christians had been forced to become selective about who they allowed into
their fellowship. I have imagined the church at this stage was open to curious visitors and
had not yet developed the lengthy catechisms that converts were required to complete in
later centuries.

2. How much freedom did women have back then? Is it feasible for a female to be a
sleuth in that period?
The Roman Empire was very much a patriarchal society. That being said, women enjoyed
more rights during the Roman Empire than they’ve been allowed in most of the centuries
leading up to modern times. For example, women could inherit property, run businesses,
initiate lawsuits, and divorce their husbands. A clever and determined woman like Livia
could find ways to investigate a mystery, although she would encounter obstacles a male
wouldn’t face.
I knew there would be limits to what a young female sleuth could do without ruining her
reputation, so from the start, I knew she would need male allies to collect information from
places or persons inaccessible to her. She will be collecting those allies as the series
progresses.
I have taken my inspiration for Livia from a host of other female sleuths who solve crimes
despite the constraints of their historical eras. A few examples include: Lindsey Davis’s
Flavia Albia, Elizabeth Peter’s Amelia Peabody, Margaret Frazers’s Dame Frevisse, and Jane
Finnis’s Aureila Marcella. (You might notice that two of the sleuths I mentioned also thwart
crime during the Roman Empire. So Livia is in good company.)

3. What is the significance of the coin shown on the cover of the book?
When my sleuth’s father is murdered, she finds an old coin on his body that has an image of
a crocodile on one side. From the start, she’s convinced it’s an important clue, although, in the
end, it doesn’t turn out to mean what she thinks it does. Despite her incorrect assumptions,
the coin leads her to important information and plays a part in the final solution.
This particular coin was minted in about 10 AD. The crocodile chained to a palm tree
represents the conquest of Egypt, when Augustus defeated Cleopatra and Mark Antony. If
Livia had been paying attention during history lessons, she could have told you it was the
decisive victory that ended the civil war and allowed Augustus to become sole leader, which
eventually led to him becoming emperor, thus ending the Roman Republic and starting the
Roman Empire.

4. What kind of persecution does Livia face for her faith in Christ?
At this time the Christian church was in its infancy. It was operating under the radar of the
Roman government. When they noticed it at all, they thought it was a sect of Judaism, which
meant the earliest Christians enjoyed the same religious freedoms that were granted to Jews.
Once the authorities realized Christianity was a new and separate religion, things changed. At
that point, Christianity became a religio illicita, or an unauthorized religion, and therefore
open to government persecution.
Due to the early date, Livia doesn’t face active persecution from the authorities. She does
face disapproval from her parents and others. Her parents adhere to a strict notion of
traditional and respectable behavior. They would interpret Livia’s adoption of any non-
Roman religion as abandoning her heritage, which could bring dishonor to the family and
risk the disfavor of the gods. They would insist she give up her new beliefs and ban her from
visiting her Christian friends. To avoid this, she’d kept her faith a secret, but sooner or later
she’s going to have to admit it and deal with the consequences.

5. One of the issues your heroine faces in the book is an arranged marriage. What could
a woman of her day do about that?
A marriage would typically be arranged between the girl’s father and the groom. According
to Roman law, a father couldn’t force his daughter into a marriage if she didn’t consent to it,
so theoretically a woman had a say in the matter. But I doubt many girls really had a choice.
If a daughter defied her father’s wishes, she might face being disinherited or kicked from the
house. Few women could afford to take that risk.
Livia understands the realities of her society. She daydreams about swaying her father’s
choice, but she doesn’t really expect her father will listen to her. When her father dies before
finalizing the betrothal, she thinks she’s been given a lucky break. Her brother will take over
as her guardian and she’s confident she can talk him into letting her marry the suitor of her
choice.
But then her brother is accused of murder and it looks like her uncle may gain control of the
household. If he succeeds, he’ll force Livia to marry the husband of her worst nightmares.
The rest of the story is Livia’s attempt to control her destiny by proving her brother is
innocent so he can remain her guardian and protect her from her uncle’s schemes.


6. You mention a sausage-snatching cat in your book description. Is the cat an
important character?
I’ve always been a cat lover, so I decided to give my sidekick character a cat—specifically, a
stealthy black cat named Nemesis who lives up to her namesake (the goddess of retribution
and justice) by exterminating as many thieving vermin as she can catch. She’s a minor
character who tends to appear out of nowhere, often to do something naughty like steal a
bite of sausage. She adds a bit of tension or humor to the scenes where she appears.
Although Nemesis doesn’t actually assist in finding the criminals, Livia uses the cat to create
a distraction when she wants to slip away unnoticed. Who knows which of Nemesis’ feline
attributes will prove useful in future stories.

7. Have you tried any of the unusual ancient recipes you describe in the book?
A few. I made a pork stew with raisin sauce that was quite delicious. Another thing I’ve
experimented with is must cake. In my book, must cake is a favorite of Livia’s aunt. Must is
crushed grape pulp and juice and was a common sweetener. The recipe I tried was adapted
from Cato’s writings. It was fairly dense and strongly flavored with cumin, anise, and bay
leaf, with only a hint of sweetness. I’m sure the ones Livia purchases at Pansa’s bakery for
her aunt are sweeter, flakier, and more subtly flavored.
Roman cooking in the first century was very different from modern Italian cuisine. Many
foods we associate with Italy, such as pasta with red sauce, polenta, and cappuccino were not
available to the ancients. Tomatoes and corn, for example, are new world foods, which didn’t
arrive in Europe until the sixteenth century.
Also, ancient Romans favored certain herbs that are no longer typical, such as rue (very
bitter and potentially poisonous) and sylphium, which they loved so much they ate it into
extinction. Another popular flavoring was a salty sauce made from fermented fish called
garum. They used is as a condiment and as a common ingredient in sauces and stews.
With ingredients like those, many of the recipes handed down to us by the ancients don’t
sound very appealing. I’ll leave it to Livia and her friends to enjoy some of the odder recipes
without me.

8. What surprises did you encounter in your research?
Slavery in the Roman world worked very differently than our modern concepts. Possibly half
the population of Rome was slaves, and they faced a broad spectrum of living conditions,
from prisoners of war doing forced labor to educated men like doctors, tutors, or architects.
Some slaves were set up to run a business and actually had slaves of their own.
Slaves who served a wealthy household had a good chance of gaining their freedom, either by
earning enough money to buy themselves out of slavery or by being granted their freedom
for good service. It was common for wealthy men to free slaves in their wills. In fact, laws
were passed to limit how many slaves a man was allowed to free in his will.
Many freed slaves, known as freedmen, were granted citizen status, a valuable commodity in
the Roman world. Citizenship gave legal protections not granted to non-citizens. Thus a poor
freedman might enjoy rights denied to a wealthy merchant from a province like Gaul or
Syria. And not all freedmen were poor. Some became quite wealthy. Inscriptions show that
freedmen sometimes paid for large public buildings.
Then there were imperial freedmen, which are a class on their own. Many freedmen from the
imperial household became civil servants. Men like Narcissus and Pallas, who were
freedmen of Claudius, served as his most trusted advisors. They amassed vast fortunes and
wielded great power. Another example of a powerful freedman was Antonius Felix, who
served as procurator of Judea.
At the other end of the social spectrum, certain professions, such as actors, gladiators, and
prostitutes were considered infamia and had reduced rights even if they were citizens.

9. You started your professional career as an engineer. How did you end up writing
mystery novels?
I wasn’t one of those kids who grew up dreaming about becoming an author. English was
never my favorite class or even my third favorite. Throughout high school and college, I
focused on the analytical side of my brain, eventually majoring in mechanical engineering
and taking a job at a manufacturing plant.
And yet, all along I was nurturing my creative side as well: reading tons of books, attending
and participating in live theater, writing silly drama for my friends to perform. So you see,
stories and storytelling were always a part of my life. I love math and science because they’re
predictable and logical, but stories are what grab my full attention. Stories have the power to
transport me away from my reality to another world.
Story’s power to transport me happens when I’m writing as well as when I’m reading a book
or watching a movie. That’s what has captured my heart and sustained me through years of
learning the craft of writing.

10. How has your engineering background helped you in your writing career?
During my years as a stay-at-home mom, I often wondered if I’d wasted my time and money
majoring in engineering. I’d worked at a manufacturing plant for six years, but I hadn’t
found it as fulfilling as I’d hoped. For a while, I worked as a substitute teacher, where my
math and science background was put to good use. I wondered if maybe I should pursue
teaching full-time, but I never felt a strong enough passion to start that journey.

When my youngest went off to college I finally had to face this what-do-I-want-to-do-with-
my-life question head-on. Was I supposed to be an engineer? A teacher? A writer? I listened
to my heart and chose writing. I made peace with “quitting” my engineering career and I
choose to believe that those years weren’t wasted, even though I have moved on to other
pursuits.

So, to answer the question, my engineering background taught me to think analytically, to
solve problems, and to look for ways to improve things. These are all skills that are useful in
writing, especially a mystery where small details are important and clues have to be placed in
just the right spot. Sleuths, like engineers, must think logically and enjoy solving challenging
puzzles. Writers, like engineers, must look at their work with an eye to find what is working
well and what needs to be improved.

11. Where do you see this series going?
I am hoping that Livia will be solving mysteries for many years. I have a novella and two
additional mysteries plotted, with ideas for more. The second novel begins shortly after Livia
is married. (You’ll have to read the end of book one to find out who her husband will be.)
As the second novel progresses, Livia and her husband slowly move from the wary mistrust
of strangers to mutual respect. Neither entered marriage expecting to find love, but they will
eventually get there. As the series develops, they’ll learn how to become a team when it
comes to solving crimes.
Livia will join a house church near her new home, led by Asyncritus, one of the believers
mentioned at the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans. As important events in church history
occur, such as the Jerusalem council of Acts fifteen, Livia and her fellow believers will hear
about them and figure out how it affects them. It may be that Paul or Peter will make a
cameo appearance someday, but I prefer to focus on lesser-known characters.
One that intrigues me is the mention of believers in the household of Narcissus. Is this the
same Narcissus who served as secretary to Emperor Claudius and was one of the most
powerful men in the empire? Livia and her husband should know better than to get mixed
up with dangerous men like Narcissus, but a good novel is all about conflict, so who knows
what may happen.

12. What was your goal in writing this book?
My primary goal was to create an entertaining story for readers who prefer novels that don’t
include sex, violence, or swearing. However, I wasn’t interested in creating a typical
Christian historical romance. I have always been drawn to books that were different than
what everyone else was reading, and so I wanted to write a story that was a bit unusual.
That’s how I ended up writing a mystery set in first-century Rome. It combines the
intriguing setting of a far-off time and place with the action and suspense of a mystery.
I also wanted to create a main character with a strong voice, a quirky sense of humor, and a
moral worldview that could appeal to readers in both the Christian and secular markets. I
like novels where a Christian worldview is shown as a valid option without making a big deal
over it. My heroine is far from perfect, and she will have plenty of moral and spiritual
challenges to face as she grows in her faith and in her relationships. I hope her struggles will
be relevant and encouraging to readers.

Giveaway:
Enter to win 1 (one) paperback copy of Death and a Crocodile
Open to US mailing addresses only.
Must be 18 years or older.
The winner will have 48 hours to reply (or an alternate winner will be selected) 
with their US mailing address
which will be forwarded to the tour coordinator. 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

1.25.2019

Jesus: His Life ~ First Look at Upcoming Documentary Series


HISTORY® TO PREMIERE EIGHT-PART EVENT
“JESUS: HIS LIFE” ON MONDAY, MARCH 25


Epic Retelling of the Life of Jesus Christ
Airs Over Four Weeks Leading Up to Easter

New York, NY – January 23, 2019 – HISTORY’s eight-part event “Jesus: His Life” explores the story of Jesus Christ through a unique lens: the people in his life who were closest to him. Each of the eight chapters is told from the perspective of different biblical figures, all of whom played a pivotal role in Jesus’ life including Joseph, John the Baptist, Mary Mother of Jesus, Caiaphas, Judas Iscariot, Pontius Pilate, Mary Magdalene, and Peter.

Each figure takes a turn guiding viewers through the emotional and epic story of the most famous man in history, through his birth, death, and resurrection, all conveyed through a combination of scripted drama and interviews with prominent religious and historical experts. Utilizing some of the world’s most respected Biblical scholars, historians, faith leaders, and theologians, the series weaves together the canonical Gospels, historical sources and cultural context to create a complete portrait of Jesus – the man and the Messiah. The series reveals his journey through a complex world of kings, politicians, reformers, and soldiers in a turbulent power struggle during a time of revolutionary change. “Jesus: His Life” brings viewers into this dramatic world to reveal the greatest story ever told. The series premieres two episodes back-to-back weekly beginning on Monday, March 25 at 8pm ET/PT, with the finale airing just before Easter. A+E Networks holds exclusive worldwide distribution rights for the series which is produced by Nutopia.

“‘Jesus: His Life’ brings together some of the world’s top scholars, historians and faith leaders from diverse ideological and theological perspectives to tell the story of Jesus in a new way,” said Mary Donahue, SVP, Programming and Development for HISTORY. “Viewers will see and experience the life of Jesus as never before, through this powerful and thought-provoking portrait of a man who is one of the most influential people in human history.”


Photos from the Series


Greg Barnett as Jesus Christ in HISTORY's Jesus: His Life
Photo credit: Jose Sarmento Matos / History



The series interviews and consulted with a diverse group of scholars, faith leaders, and theologians from across the ideological spectrum to provide a rounded picture of the life and times in which Jesus lived, including:


  • Robert Cargill – Assistant Professor of Judaism, Christianity and Classics, University of Iowa
  • Christena Cleveland – Associate Professor, Duke University Divinity School
  • Bishop Michael Curry – Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church
  • Nicola Denzey Lewis – Professor in the Department of Religion, Claremont Graduate University
  • Joshua DuBois – Author and CEO, Values Partnerships and Head of White House Office of
  • Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships under President Obama
  • Rabbi Joshua Garroway – Associate Professor of Early Christianity and the Second Commonwealth,
  • Hebrew Union College
  • Mark Goodacre – Professor in the Department of Religious Studies, Duke University
  • Nyasha Junior – Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible, Temple University
  • Mark Leuchter – Professor and Director of Jewish Studies, Temple University
  • Kimberly Majeski – Associate Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Ministries, Anderson University

  • Father James Martin, S.J – Jesuit Priest and Author
  • Ryan McAnnally-Linz – Associate Research Scholar, Yale Center for Faith and Culture
  • Scot McKnight – Professor of New Testament, Northern Seminary
  • Father Jonathan Morris – Catholic Priest
  • Candida Moss – Professor of Theology, University of Birmingham (UK)
  • Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III – Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ
  • Joel Osteen – Senior Pastor of Lakewood Church, New York Times Bestselling Author, and Executive Producer

  • Michael Peppard – Associate Professor in New Testament, Early Christian Studies, Religion and Public
  • Life, Fordham University

  • Reverend Gabriel Salguero – Pastor and President of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition
  • Stephen Schneck – Associate Professor of Politics, Catholic University of America
  • Simon Sebag Montefiore – Historian and Author
  • Reverend Shively Smith – Assistant Professor of New Testament, Boston University School of Theology
  • Pastor Susan Sparks – Preacher, Comedian and Author
  • Miroslav Volf – Founder/Director, Yale Center for Faith and Culture and Professor of Theology, Yale

  • University Divinity School

  • Ben Witherington III – Professor of New Testament for Doctoral Studies, Asbury Theological Seminary
  • Annette Yoshiko Reed – Associate Professor of Religious Studies, New York University


“Jesus: His Life” is produced for HISTORY by Nutopia with Jane Root and Ben Goold serving as executive
producers. Eli Lehrer, Mary Donahue and Evan Lerner serve as executive producers for HISTORY. Joel Osteen
also serves as Executive Producer. A+E Networks holds exclusive worldwide distribution rights for “Jesus: His Life.”


About HISTORY®
HISTORY, a division of A+E Networks, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class
documentary events, to a signature slate of industry-leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted
programming, HISTORY serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media.
HISTORY has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for seven consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex,
and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on InstagramTwitter, and Facebook.


About Nutopia

Nutopia is a leading television production company based in LA, DC, and London, creating innovative,
award-winning, premium content on a global scale. Founded in 2008 by Jane Root, former President of
Discovery Channel US, Controller of BBC2 and co-founder of Wall to Wall TV, Nutopia created the
‘mega doc’ model, blending huge scale history series and high-profile talent from the worlds of documentary
and drama. Nutopia has become synonymous with creating high-quality content that stands out from the crowd,
working with some of the most prominent global broadcasters including Netflix, CNN, National Geographic,
the BBC, PBS and A+E Networks. Most recently, Nutopia created National Geographic’s One Strange Rock 
which received three Wildscreen Festival Panda awards, was nominated for the Critics’ Choice Documentary
awards and was shortlisted for the Grierson Best Science Documentary award. Other recent projects include 
Civilizations (BBC/PBS) and The Great American Read (PBS). Some critical successes for the company include
the Emmy Award-winning series How We Got To Now; two seasons of ratings smash Finding Jesus. Faith. Fact. 
Forgery; Emmy Award-winning series America the Story of Us and Mankind the Story of All of Us.