The Truth About Jesus? New TV Series Promises to Blend 'Science and Archeology' to Explore the Bible

A new CNN series set to premiere next month "blends science and archeology" to explore six religious relics that some say could provide key information about Jesus, according to a press release announcing the six-part TV event.

"Finding Jesus: Faith, Fact, Forgery" will explore whether or not Christ left any physical traces behind, promising to offer "fascinating new insights into the historical Jesus, utilizing the latest state-of-the-art scientific techniques and archaeological research."

The series will be a docudrama that takes viewers through explanations of artifacts, while also exploring biblical characters and stories that help to frame these items. From Christ's baptism to his resurrection, the gospels' biggest events will be highlighted.

"Each episode of the six-part series investigates the value and authenticity of a historical object which could shed new light on Jesus: the Shroud of Turin, relics venerated as part of the True Cross, the gospel of Judas, relics believed to be of John the Baptist, the burial box of Jesus’ brother James and the gospel of Mary Magdalene," the press release reads.

The shroud — the cloth believed by some to have been wrapped around Jesus after his death — will be the first relic dealt with in the series, according to the Christian Post. Much speculation has surrounding the shroud, which includes a mysterious image of a man that some believe was created during Jesus' resurrection.

Watch the trailer for "Finding Jesus" below:

Set to premiere on March 1 at 9 p.m., "Finding Jesus" will include media personalities and experts who will discuss these matters in detail, including Pastor Erwin MacManus of MOSAIC Los Angeles, California, and Huffington Post religion editor Rev. Paul Raushenbush.

Reporter David Gibson will release a companion book later this month by the same name that will dive deeper into the contents of the documentary, claiming in a book description that the relics depicted "give us the most direct evidence about the life and world of Jesus."

"The book and attendant CNN series provide a dramatic way to retell 'the greatest story ever told' while introducing a broad audience to the history, the latest controversies, and newest forensic science involved in sorting out facts from the fiction of would-be forgers and deceivers," a book explanation reads. "The book and the show draw on experts from all over the world. Beyond the faithful, the book will also appeal to the skeptical and to curious readers of history and archaeology, while it takes viewers of the primetime TV series deeper into the story."