2000 (opera-oratorio) – El NiÑo

John Adams (American, b.1947), mus
Peter Sellars / John Adams / libr.

Described by Adams as a "nativity oratorio", it retells the Christmas story, with the first half of focusing on Mary's thoughts before the birth and the second half on the aftermath of the birth in the stable in Bethlehem, Herod's slaughter of the Holy Innocents and the early life of Jesus. The text follows the traditional biblical story of the birth of Jesus but also incorporates poetry from a wide range of sources. The work, which premiered in Paris (15 dec 2000) is scored for soprano, mezzo-soprano and baritone soloists, a trio of counter-tenors and forty-five piece orchestra (which includes two guitars and a sampling keyboard), SATB chorus, and children’s chorus.

2000 (film) – Maria, figlia del suo figlio / Mary: Daughter of Her Son

Fabrizio Costa (Italian)

The life of Mary of Nazareth from the conception of Jesus to the Assumption as told in the Christian writings and tradition. Starring Yaël Abecassis, Nancho Novo, Nicholas Rogers, Franco Castellano, Angela Molina, Omero Antonutti, Flavio Insinna, and Caterina Vertova.

2000 (film-opera) – Rice and Webber’s Jesus Christ Superstar

Gale Edwards (Australian, b.1954) / Nick Morris

A video production, based on the 1998 London stage production, starring Glenn Carter as Jesus and Jerome Pradon as Judas.

2000 (opera) – Barabbas

Ketil Hvoslef (Norwegian, b.1939), mus.
Ketil Hvoslef, libr. (after M. de Ghelderode)

The opera by the renowned Norwegian composer had its world premiere at the Norwegian State Opera in Oslo. Direction: Stein Winge. Conductor: Christian Eggen. Main part: Espen Fegran.

2000 (film-TV) - Bérénice

Jean-Daniel Verhaeghe [after Racine]

French production of Racine’s play. Starring Carole Bouquet and Gérard Depardieu

2000 (novel) – Paul

Walter Wangerin (American, b.1944)

A fictional biography of the apostle Paul and his quest to bring Christianity from the Middle East to the gentiles in Rome chronicles the history of the early church through the eyes of Luke, James, Barnabas, and other leading biblical figures. By a Lutheran Pastor, a Literature professor at Valparaiso University and an Award-winning author of religious novels and children’s books.

2000 (film) – Paul the Apostle

Roger Young (American, b.1942)

Shot in Morocco, this saga follows the life of Paul of Tarsus, his conversion to Christianity, his ministry to the Gentiles and his eventual persecution and imprisonment, as told in Christian writings and tradition.

2001

2001 (film) – Quo Vadis

Jerzy Kawalerowicz (Polish, b.1922)

2001 (film) – Gli Amici di Gesù / Close to Jesus

Raffaele Mertes (Italian)

A quartet of biodramas focusing on four meaningful people in the life of Jesus of Nazareth: "Joseph of Nazareth" (1999), "Mary Magdalene" (2000), "Judas" (2001), and "Thomas" (2001). Starring Tobias Moretti, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Enrico Lo Verso, and Mathieu Carriere.

2001 (art) – Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem
2006 (art) – Mystery of the Second Temple

Edward Tabachnik (Russian, b.1936)

2002

2002 (art) - Salome 

John Coulthart (American, b.1962)

2002 (novel) – Mary, Called Magdalene 

Margaret George (American, b.1943)

Draws on the Bible, Christian tradition and secular historical research to present a fictional portrait of Mary of Magdala as she becomes part of Jesus' circle of disciples and comes into a realization of her faith.

2002 (art) – The Conversion of St Paul & Paul in Prison 

Ben Long (American)

Two frescoes at St Paul’s Episcopal Church, Wilkesboro NC, USA.

2002 (film) – L’Apocalisse / The Apocalypse

Raffaele Mertes (Italian)

2002 (novel) – Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ’s Childwood Pal 

Christopher Moore (American, b.1957)

Fills in the lost years of Jesus life, told from the perspective of Biff, Christ's childhood best buddy.

2002 (novel) – Testament

Nino Ricci (Canadian, b.1959)

A story of the life of a very human Jesus is told by four separate narrators; Yihuda of Qiryat (Judas Iscariot), Miryam of Migdal (Mary Magdalene), Miryam (Mary, Mother of Jesus), and a shepherd, Simon of Gergesa

2002 (film-ballet) – Salomé / Salome

Carlos Saura (Spanish, b.1932)

The task of narrating the story of Salome is given to her dancing. The music is composed by Roque Baños with the special cooperation of Tomatito, and it is based on ancient forms of music that influenced the development of flamenco. The film, which was given a great international reception, was awarded the prize for the “Best Artistic Contribution” at the Montreal Festival in 2002.

2003

2003 (novel) – The Da Vinci Code

Dan Brown (American, b.1964)

2003 (music) – The Complete Chanukah Songbook

J. Mark Dunn (Jewish-American), ed.

A collection of traditional songs by various authors celebrating the Maccabean victory over the Greek.

2003 (animation) – Ben-Hur

Bill Kowalchuk (American)

2003 (film) – Maria, Mãe do Filho de Deus / Mary, Mother of the Son of God 

Moacyr Góes (Brazil, b.1961)

2003 (novel ) – The Brother’s Keeper

Tracy Groot (American, b.1964)

Tells the story of the latter part of Jesus’ ministry, up through his death and resurrection, as seen through the eyes of his own brother James.

2003 (novel) – Legacy of a Star

Peter Longley (British-American, b.1944)

Book One in The Madgala Chronicles—a planned series of six volumes revealing the hidden history of a feminist church built on the Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene’s interpretations of Jesus’ teachings. The first volume introduces the births of Linus Flavian, Maria of Magdala (Mary Magdalene) and Joshua of Nazareth (Jesus), principal characters of The Magdala Chronicles, against the realistic backdrop of the times.

2003 (film) – The Gospel of John

Philip Saville (British, b.1930)

2003 (novel) – First Light

Bodie Thoene (American, b.1951) Brock Thoene (American, b.1952)

Book one of the A.D. Chronicles, a series of stories on first-century Judaism by a team of prolific authors of historical novels.

2003 (novel) – A Stone Laid in Zion

Ellen Whitman Bynum (American)

A historical novel about Jesus, Pontius Pilate, and his wife, Claudia Procula. Book One of The Eagle and the Stone, a series of novels that evoke the atmosphere of the first century.

2004

2004 (Film) – Judas

Charles Robert Carner (American, b.1957)

2004 (film) – The Passion of the Christ

Mel Gibson (American, b.1956)

2004 (film) – Irmãos de Fé 

Moacyr Góes (Brazil, b.1961)

2004 (novel ) – Stones of My Accusers 

Tracy Groot (American, b.1964)

A sequel to The Brother’s Keeper (2003) focuses on the life of Jorah, a sister of Jesus.

2004 (poem) – Maccabee: An Epic 

S. Rubenstein (Jewish-American, b.1931)

A modern retelling of the Maccabean revolt, praising the valiance of those who resisted tyranny, as well as condemning the murder and slaughter of oppressors.

2004 (novel) – Second Touch
2004 (novel) – Third Watch 

Bodie Thoene (American, b.1951)
Brock Thoene (American, b.1952)

Books two and three in the “A.D. Chronicles” series, started in 2003. In the first novel, questions arise concerning the identity of Yeshua of Nazareth, while Zahav finds herself waiting for the Messiah and Manaen, blinded by violence, and Susanna, struggle to overcome the evil surrounding them. In the second novel, Peniel, a once blind begger, and the lepers in the Valley of Mak'ob are all looking for Yeshua, who has gone to Galilee, while Caiaphas and Herod are trying to find a way to arrest him.

2004 (novel) - A Truth like Wine

Ellen Whitman Bynum (American)

A historical novel about Jesus, Claudia (Pilate’s wife), and Paronius (Pilate’s centurion).