The origins of biblical texts have long fascinated scholars and believers, offering insights into faith, history, and the human condition. Three documentaries airing on the Viasat channel—"Who Wrote the New Testament?" (tonight at 20:00), "Who Wrote the Bible?" (tomorrow at 20:00), and "The Family Secrets of Jesus" (today at 16:55)—explore various aspects of these mysteries.
Through archaeological discoveries, manuscript analysis, and cutting-edge science, these documentaries weave narratives that challenge traditional understandings and open new debates.
The first documentary, "The Family Secrets of Jesus," addresses one of Christianity's most controversial topics: Jesus' personal life. It examines intriguing fragments, such as a 2012 papyrus that mentions Jesus saying, "My wife..." and a 2014 manuscript from the British Library suggesting his alleged marital connection with Mary Magdalene.
Through scientific analysis and historical context, the documentary investigates whether these texts hint at Jesus having a family life. Although religious leaders often dismiss these findings, the evidence raises significant questions.
The documentary features insights from theologian Sylvain Landrieux, who states, "There is a part of us that would really love for Jesus to have been a man and to have had a wife and a life like everyone else."
The use of visual effects and animations breathes life into apocryphal relics, including recently discovered tombs and inscriptions, creating a visually compelling case that reexamines history.
The documentary "Who Wrote the New Testament?" critically approaches the origins of the text on which Christianity rests. It poses provocative questions—were the apostles the actual authors of the New Testament? Or were these texts the products of later communities?
Experts in biblical studies and archaeology guide viewers through ancient manuscripts and historical contexts. Linguistic analysis illuminates the languages spoken by the authors and discusses the complex interplay of oral traditions and written narratives.
This documentary reveals the intricate process of canonization and explores how writings were selected and revised over centuries to become the New Testament as we know it today.
Focusing on the broader scope of the Bible, the documentary "Who Wrote the Bible?" builds upon the groundbreaking discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947. These ancient manuscripts revolutionized the study of the Bible and provided insights into early Jewish traditions and the development of texts.
Utilizing modern tools such as radiocarbon dating and paleography, this documentary uncovers multiple layers of authorship. "There is no one who simply said: 'I will write the Book of Genesis... That's it, I'm done,'" explains bibliologist and theologian Jean-Sébastien Rey.
This documentary also addresses the motives behind these writings and emphasizes their role in shaping social laws, moral codes, and spiritual beliefs. There are overlaps with the film "Who Wrote the New Testament?" particularly in discussions about how oral traditions influenced the final versions of the texts.
These documentaries remind us that the Bible and the New Testament are not just religious texts but cultural artifacts reflecting human creativity, spirituality, and struggle.