They've been re-broadcasting this Frontline piece on PBS recently....great insight into the rise of the Jesus mythos using archaeological discoveries and the study of the actual historical society that existed at the time.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/religion/watch/
Personally, I've been fascinated by myths and the theology that surrounds them for years (thanks Joe Campbell) but, I don't think I'll ever be able to understand how some people take these stories literally.
