Release date: Aug. 1, 2007
Contact: Elaine Justice at 404-727-0643 or elaine.justice@emory.edu

Emory Faculty Featured in Documentary on 'Cradle of Christianity'

A television documentary premiering Monday, Aug. 13, gives a behind-the-scenes tour of the "Cradle of Christianity" exhibition, ongoing at Emory University's Michael C. Carlos Museum. The 30-minute program will air at 8 p.m. on Public Broadcasting Atlanta's Channel 30.

"Cradle of Christianity: Jewish and Christian Treasures from the Holy Land" is a major traveling exhibition that traces the shared roots of Judaism and Christianity through artifacts drawn from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, which houses the foremost collection of biblical archeology in the world.

The documentary, also titled "Cradle of Christianity," features interviews with Emory faculty who are experts in various aspects of the formative years of Christianity, as well as David Mevorah, the curator of the exhibition from the Israel Museum. The program is a joint production of Atlanta filmmakers James Cool and Bob Woodhead, of Cool New Media, and the Carlos Museum.

"Getting a chance to see relics that date back to the 1st century, and listening to people who are so knowledgeable and so passionate talk about them, is fascinating," Cool says.

Details about early baptismal rites, burial practices, the sacrifices people made to go on pilgrimages and the almost carnival atmosphere surrounding the Temple in Jerusalem around the time of Jesus are brought to life through interviews in the documentary.

Emory faculty featured include: Richard Valantasis, professor of ascetical theology and Christian practice and director of Anglican studies at Candler School of Theology; Carl Holladay, Charles Howard Candler Professor of New Testament Studies at Candler; Michael Berger, associate professor and director of undergraduate studies in the department of religion; and Carol Newsom, Charles Howard Candler Professor of Old Testament Studies at Candler.

Click for a complete listing of news releases on the "Cradle of Christianity" exhibit.

Emory University is one of the nation’s leading private research universities and a member of the Association of American Universities. Known for its demanding academics, outstanding undergraduate college of arts and sciences, highly ranked professional schools and state-of-the-art research facilities, Emory is ranked as one of the country's top 20 national universities by U.S. News & World Report. In addition to its nine schools, the university encompasses The Carter Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Emory Healthcare, the state's largest and most comprehensive health care system.

Subscribe to News@Emory RSS feeds for automatic updates of the latest news at Emory.

Back