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:
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.
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:
"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.