The God Who Wasn't There
Brian Flemming’s provocative documentary investigates Christianity’s origins and questions whether the biblical Jesus existed as a historical person.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- provocative
- sardonic
- intellectual
- discussion night
- curious afternoon
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the documentary as bold and idiosyncratic in raising difficult questions about Christianity, while opponents challenged its historical comparisons and argumentative rigor.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Brian Flemming compares the Jesus narrative with earlier savior myths and questions the historical evidence for the New Testament figure.
The film weaves Flemming’s transition from religious life to non-religious life into its broader investigation of belief in God.
The film openly challenges Christian assumptions, institutional history, and conventional accounts of Jesus’ existence.
Interviews and historical discussion examine early Christianity, biblical origins, pagan parallels, and the persistence of Christian belief.
Films like The God Who Wasn't There, and why
Religulous
skeptical examination of religious belief using provocative arguments and documentary investigation
The God Who Wasn't There
historical and textual scrutiny of Christianity presented through an openly skeptical perspective
The Unbelievers
intellectual documentary inquiry into the historical foundations of religious traditions
Jesus Camp
challenging examination of faith, scripture, and institutional religion through interviews and argument
Movie Details
- Director
- Brian Flemming
- Release Date
- 2005-05-21
- Runtime
- 61 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (88)
Cast
- Richard Dawkins
- Sam Harris
- Robert M. Price
- Richard Carrier
- Alan Dundes
- Barbara Mikkelson
- David P. Mikkelson
- Brian Flemming
Common questions
- What is The God Who Wasn't There about?
- Brian Flemming’s provocative documentary investigates Christianity’s origins and questions whether the biblical Jesus existed as a historical person.
- What is The God Who Wasn't There like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The God Who Wasn't There as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The God Who Wasn't There violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The God Who Wasn't There as mild.
- What did critics think of The God Who Wasn't There?
- Critics broadly regarded the documentary as bold and idiosyncratic in raising difficult questions about Christianity, while opponents challenged its historical comparisons and argumentative rigor.
- Which films are like The God Who Wasn't There?
- Films with a similar feel include Religulous, The God Who Wasn't There, The Unbelievers, and Jesus Camp.
- How long is The God Who Wasn't There?
- The God Who Wasn't There runs 61 minutes.
