DISCUSSION TOPIC: THE HISTORICAL JESUS

Some Questions

• What is meant by the term the "Historical Jesus?"

• What are the possibilities, limits and problems inherent in searching for the Jesus of history?

• What sources are available for documenting the life of Jesus?  To what degree can "faith documents" such as the Gospels -- writings produced by believers for believers to promote belief -- be used as historical sources?  Why do you imagine Jesus is scarcely mentioned in Jewish and pagan sources for the first century after his death?

• How have different scholars interpreted Jesus and attempted to place his life in the context of his times?

• How would you begin to describe the Jesus of history?

• What do you find most interesting or revealing about the debates associated with the search for the Historical Jesus?

• Some people maintain that it is impossible to study Jesus without believing in him?  Do you agree?

• Which is more important: the search for the Jesus of history or the study of the history of Christ as belief and idea?  Why?

Possible Starting Places

•   Jesus's Life:  A short introduction from the BBC Religions page.  Note that an excellent audio documentary in four parts by Edward Stourton is embedded within this page.

• "From Jesus To Christ: The First Christians," Episode 1, PBS Frontline:

• Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4.

•   Adam Gopnik, "What Did Jesus Do?: Reading And Unreading The Gospels," New Yorker (May 24, 2010).

• Jon Meacham, "From Jesus To Christ: How Did A Jewish Prophet Come To Be Seen As The Christian Savior?," Newsweek (March 28, 2005).

Articles

•   Roger Beck, "The Pagan Shadow Of Christ?," BBC Ancient History.

• Geza Vermes, "Jews, Christians And Judaeo-Christians," Standpoint (December 2011).

• Scot McKnight, "The Jesus We'll Never Know," Christianity Today (April 9, 2010).

• Geza Vermes, "Jesus In The Eyes Of Josephus," Standpoint (January/February 2010).

• Geza Vermes, "The Truth About The Historical Jesus," Standpoint (September 2008).

• Brian Bethune, "The Jesus Problem," Maclean's (March 19, 2008).

• Frank Kermode, "Was It A Supernova?," London Review Of Books (January 4, 2007).

• Jay Tolson, "The Kingdom Of Christ: A Bold New Take On The Historical Jesus Raises Questions About A Centuries-Long Quest," U.S. News And World Report (April 9, 2006).

• Kenneth L. Woodward, "A Clue To Jesus?: An Ancient Stone Box May Offer Historical Proof Of His Existence -- And His Family Ties," Newsweek (November 4, 2002).

• David Van Biema et al., "Jerusalem At The Time Of Jesus," Time (April 16, 2001).

• William P. Loewe, "From The Humanity Of Christ To The Historical Jesus," Theological Studies, 61 (June 2000).

• Reynolds Price, "Jesus of Nazareth Then And Now," Time (December 6, 1999).

• Kenneth L. Woodward, "2000 Years Of Jesus," Newsweek (March 29, 1999).

• David Van Biema, "The Gospel Truth?: The Iconoclastic And Provocative Jesus Seminar Argues That Much Of The New Testament Cannot Be Trusted," Time (April 8, 1996).

• Luke Timothy Johnson, "Jesus Seminar's Misguided Quest For The Historical Jesus," Christian Century, 113 (January 3, 1996).

• Cullen Murphy, "'Who Do Men Say That I Am?,'" Atlantic (December 1986).

Web-Sites

•   Historical Jesus Theories:  Reviews scholarly theories on the Historical Jesus and the early Church.

•   Historical Jesus -- Wikipedia:  An entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• Jesus -- Wikipedia:  Another entry from the on-line encyclopedia.

• From Jesus To Christ -- The First Christians :  companion web-site to the PBS series.

• Jesus Christ -- Encyclopedia Britannica:

•   Jewish Roman World Of Jesus:  The web-site of Dr. James D. Tabor.

• Jesus Seminar Forum:  A series of links associated with the Jesus Seminar.

• Jesus Of Nazareth:  An entry from the on-line Jewish Encyclopedia.

Jesus In The News

• Tanith Carey, "A Very Muscular Brand Of Christianity," Guardian, August 28, 2011.

• Michael Rose, "Jesus As An Openly Gay Man," Guardian, April 4, 2011.

• Ross Douthat, "Choose Your Own Jesus," New York Times, May 27, 2010.

• Subir Bhaumik, "Indian State Confiscates 'Blasphemous' Jesus Textbooks," BBC News, February 19, 2010.

• Mehdi Hasan, "Jews In Islam," Guardian, December 24, 2009.

•   "Jesus-Era Home Found In Nazareth," BBC News, December 21, 2009.

•   "Gerry Adams In 'Search Of Jesus,'" BBC News, December 6, 2009.

• Howard Jacobsen, "Behold!: The Jewish Jesus," Guardian, January 9, 2009.

•   Ethan Brunner, "Ancient Tablet Ignites Debate On Messiah And Resurrection," New York Times, July 6, 2008.

• Jane Lampman, "Claims Swirl Around 'Tomb Of Jesus,'" Christian Science Monitor, March 1, 2007.

•   Laurie Goodstein, "Crypt Held Bodies Of Jesus And Family, Film Says," New York Times, February 27, 2007.

•   Jon Meacham, "The Radical," New York Times, March 12, 2006.

• Lawrence Joffe, "Obituary -- Hyam Maccoby: A Jewish Scholar Challenging Christian Myths," Guardian, July 31, 2004.

• "Cannabis Linked To Biblical Healing," BBC News, January 6, 2003.

• William Dalrymple, "Jesus The Prophet," Guardian, December 22, 2001.

•   Matt Wells, "Is This The Real Face Of Jesus Christ?," Guardian, March 27, 2001.

• Judy Huenneke, "Jesus' Identity And Message Stir New Questions," Christian Science Monitor, March 4, 1998.

• Jack Miles, "Reading About The Historical Jesus," New York Times, March 30, 1997.

• Charlotte Allen, "The Search For A No-Frills Jesus," Atlantic (December 1996).

• Gustav Niebuhr, "Iconoclastic Scholars Of Jesus To Consider Doctrinal Revision," New York Times, November 25, 1996.

• Robert Marquand, "Creation Of A 'Jesus For The'90s' Touches Off Theological Debate," Christian Science Monitor, January 5, 1996.

• William H. Willimon, "The Search Continues For The Historical Jesus," Christian Science Monitor, April 21, 1992.

• Thomas D'Evelyn, "A Look At New Testament Images Of Jesus Through The Lens Of History," Christian Science Monitor, November 4, 1988.

Video Sources

• "Jesus The Jew," Episode 1, Christianity: A History, Channel 4, 2010:

• Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4.

• "The Hidden Story Of Jesus,"  Channel 4, 2010:

• Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7; Part 8; Part 9; Part 10; Part 11.

• "Did Jesus Die On The Cross?," BBC Four.

• "The Pagan Christ," Doc Zone, CBC Television, November 27, 2008.

Audio Sources

• "John Dominic Crossan," ABC Sunday Night, January 23, 2011.

• "Elie Wiesel On 'The Jewishness Of Jesus,'" Boston University World Of Ideas, WBUR, September 7, 2008.

• "Jesus And Crucifixion, A Historical View," Fresh Air, WHYY, March 21, 2008.

•   "Filmmaker Cameron Claims To Find 'Tomb Of Jesus," Morning Edition, February 27, 2007.

• "Jesus," Beyond Belief, BBC Radio 4, September 4, 2006: A weekly discussion roundtable hosted by Ernie Rhea.  Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to access this archived programme.

• "Easter Special: The Historical Jesus," Spirit Of Things, ABC, April 16, 2006.

• "The Future Of Jesus," Boyer Lectures, ABC, November-December, 2005:  A six-part lecture series by Dr. Peter Jensen, Anglican Archbishop of Sydney.

• "A Conversation About The Birth Of Jesus," Charlie Rose Show, December 10, 2004.

• "The Four Witnesses," Weekend Edition Sunday, April 23, 2000.

•   "The Historical Jesus," Talk Of The Nation, April 9, 1998.

•   "From Jesus To Christ," Weekend Edition Sunday, April 5, 1998.

•   "Bob Edwards Talks To Newsweek Religion Editor," Morning Edition, April 4, 1996.