Images of Jesus class

I’m auditing a religion class at Berea College. I want to keep notes on what is covered and my thoughts, aside from my regular reading thread. Read or ignore.

We’re meeting virtually for the present. First class was a partial disaster for me. I tried using my old laptop, but it wouldn’t finish loading Zoom. So I jumped on a library computer that lacked audio and camera. I found earphones part way through and was able to hear but communicate only with chat messages. They couldn’t see me.
I saw but couldn’t hear everyone introduce themselves. I did see the PowerPoint slides and follow along with the sluggish discussion.
The PowerPoint was a collection of traditional and outre visual images of Jesus along with quotes from various people.

Hebrews 13:8
Manly Jesus
Jesus with rifle
Quote from Mark Driscoll about not accepting a wimpy Jesus that he could beat up. This accompanied an image of tattooed Jesus (with sword?) breaking himself off the cross.
A pause to discuss “complimentarianism” where females are considered subservient and often abused.
Side note that if anyone says the last book of the Bible is ‘Revelations’ they’ll be kicked out of class.
Shot of Jesus from The Passion of the Christ after being whipped with scorpion whips.

pause because T wants to play

A Fumi-e, from Japan, when Christians were persecuted
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumi-e
and a quote from Silence where Jesus gives permission for the missionary to step on the image.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silence_(End%C5%8D_novel)
Several portraits by Warner Sallman, this iconic image:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/ee/The_Head_of_Christ_by_Warne... the prof called feminine Jesus
and
https://1ysy6332dkeq24c5c01b48p8-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/hear...
and
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOv-pDC9LLRgFA7Jh-AGvm5lOS...

See notes above:

https://pyxis.nymag.com/v1/imgs/a1b/492/7730848cc136f6968a5174b48b8a7bf4fe-01-su...

Pointed out the halo is more properly called a nimbus.
There was a very weird smiling female Jesus that looked photoshopped and icky.
Then Janet McKenzie’s was the first non-white non-European “Jesus of the People”:

https://janetmckenzie.com/jop.gif

with a discussion here:

https://janetmckenzie.com/joppage1.

Then it got really weird with Warrior Jesus, commander of the heavenly army, and carrying a machine gun.
Supply Side Jesus was mentioned, done by Al Franken.

Then there was Ninja Jesus
Taledago Nights Jesus
Buddy Christ from the movie Dogma

Apocalyptic Jesus, with reference to Ezekiel.
CEO Jesus in a suit and with a dollar sign badge. (The one I found more offensive than the warrior Jesus). Book of that title by Laurie Beth Jones
Another Military Jesus equating his sacrifice to the members of the US Army
Hippie Jesus, like in Godspell
Guru Jesus
Soccer Jesus
This shirt:
https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/dfc144b3-dde4-43e1-962f-b11e7f3b11a2_1.d45dfa76...
And this image:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ShitAmericansSay/comments/kegkec/sad_trump_and_jesus_pa...
And a brief discussion of King Cyrus, who did God’s will without being a believer.

I stopped in to meet Professor Smith in person after class and told him about the controversial “Mama” painting by Kelly Latimore:



and the controversy it engendered:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10345433/Painting-George-Floyd-depicted...

Joan Taylor, a Professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism at King’s College London, reckons Jesus had short hair, darker skin and a short beard.

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/jesus-christs-face-pictured-expert-...

While this image was presented in the slide show:


It is inferior to this one, done by a WV artist, Christopher Santer:



I happen to own a print of this one.

Through my interest in presepi, I had collected a lot of images on Pinterest in folders named ‘what Joseph might really look like’ and another for Mary and young Jesus:

https://pin.it/6UgyLUr

Gosh that was easier than I thought it would be. Here’s Mary:

https://pin.it/6Wi49MJ

And Jesus:
https://pin.it/3T7tpwB

Last Friday's class is a blur. I was still having technical problems. I tried to do Zoom with the browser on my laptop, rather than with the app. I was able to connect, but the video and audio both stalled, especially when we were sent into small discussion groups. I had experimented getting there on my phone, so I got there that way. It’s too small a screen for seeing presentations, but it worked okay for the small group. There were just three of us and we muddled through a discussion of two sets of scriptures. The point was to show how each gospel writer presents Jesus in different ways. Sadly, the chosen passages are not that distinct one from another. There are so many better sets he could have used.

The first set was the three Synoptics on the stilling of the storm. The differences are so slight, they could be assigned to translation choices over the millennia.

The second set was the parable of the great supper, found in Matthew 22. He compared it with Luke 14 and Thomas 64. He did not discuss his inclusion of the Thomas gospel.

I met Sophie and Evan. They seem very nice. They both remarked on the sweater I was wearing. (I do have a wonderful collection of sweaters.)

No class today. Wednesday we will discuss an old Italian play - Right You Are! If You Think So. I’ve watched a performance on line. It’s also a weak example of the point the professor wants to make. But I’ll save comments till after class.

>1 2wonderY: I’m auditing a religion class at Berea College. ... Read or ignore.

I'm reading along and enjoying it. Would you prefer no replies to your posts? You didn't specify when inviting LTers to read along.

>8 elenchus: Thank you for asking. I had thought to post in a larger group, but I knew there was at least one member who would likely be confrontational; so I chose this small space. So yeah, feel free to offer your own impressions, as long as you stay pleasant. We’ll call it discussion room #10.

>9 2wonderY:

I'm glad elenchus asked, because I was holding back. I wanted to say that I think the second image in >4 2wonderY: is really wonderful. That's a Christ who really does love children, and enjoys being with them.

I don't want to take up a lot of space on your thread, but kind of in line with "what they would have looked like", here's a link to a photo I took 40(!!!!) years ago in Egypt: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mojosmom/4593027598/ Reminded me a lot of Merson's "Rest on the Flight into Egypt".

>9 2wonderY:
I appreciate the opportunity for discussion!

I'm curious about your impressions of the Professor. You noted a couple times the examples chosen weren't the most persuasive for the point being made. Do you think it's just a poor choice of example, or does the Professor really like the examples and is "sneaking" them in despite not strongly supporting the argument? So to speak, wants to share the examples more than craft the most persuasive argument?

>10 lilithcat: Yes! I love that photo!

>11 elenchus: I think it’s a matter of him being so busy overall; and he probably doesn’t get a very sophisticated audience. He said that Matthew reversed the order of the story of the storm compared to the other versions. But Matthew is the first gospel written, so it was the others that did the reversing. I mentioned in class that Mark reflects Peter’s version of events, as that’s who he learned from. I don’t think class members generally know that tidbit, but it’s important to know the origins and intended audiences of each gospel when comparing them.

I’ve started reading one of the textbooks, and it will be a good opportunity to use this group:

https://www.librarything.com/topic/338870

>12 2wonderY: it is my understanding that most scholars think Mark was written first.

Argh! I need my Barclay Commentaries! But they are still in WV. So is my copy of The Book of J and multiple other references. I may dash there this weekend to collect them.

Whoops! J is Old Testament. Q is New Testament.
Q is an original, very early collection of sayings; probably scribbled down by the apostle Matthew, and provides much of what Jesus said in Matthew and Luke.

I may also have read Why Four Gospels?, where Black uses the Church elders writings to call Matthew’s the first written.

>12 2wonderY: I was going to ask a question similar to >11 elenchus:; but I think you just answered it! I have no personal experience with the bible (other than ancient VBS/Sunday school) or theology in general. It's interesting to see your perspective; especially since you have more than a passing interest in the topic.

Today, we discussed Luigi Pirandello’s 1917 play, Right You Are! If you think so. Since I have little interest in reading a play, I found a performance:

https://vimeo.com/96793100

It’s an hour, 18 minutes. And I see that Cate Blanchett performed in another production:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HgfoY5Fd65A

This is the scene that makes the play still attractive perhaps.

Characters discuss how one knows another person; how subjective that experience is. This is in service to attempting to find truth and whether truth is subjective or objective.

Ponza and his wife move to a new town, as Ponza has taken a job there. As well, Signora Frola has also moved there, but to an apartment the other side of town. S. Frola is Ponza’s mother-in-law. Everyone agrees on that. Whether Signora Ponza is S. Frola’s daughter or Ponza’s second wife depends who you ask.
The trio are motivated by compassion and protectiveness toward the other.
And when Signora Ponza finally comes on stage, her identity is sacrificed for the wellbeing of the other two.

Hopped on my campus email and saw this note from the college president from the weekend:

“ Students, the hill behind the President’s home will be great for sledding today. There are sleds available under the deck behind the house. The rules are: dress warmly; make sure the sleds get returned to the back of the house under the deck; and don’t run into trees—it breaks the sleds and damages the trees.”

He also included a photo of the farm logging horses helping to snowplow the campus roads.

>18 2wonderY:
This is Berea?

I visited briefly once, after learning about it through fundraising and donating on occasion. That email fits the sentiment of the culture I'd imagined for campus.

>19 elenchus: Yes. It’s been a progressive and norm-breaking institution from its founding in 1855. My daughter attended, though didn’t finish, and I’ve been taken by the culture here and moved here a year and a half ago, when I retired. I spent my first year babysitting grandbaby, T. Then daughter found a new job last august and moved them two hours away. 😖

Odd that themes jump out at you at times.
An old friend in another group recommended the old novel, Miss Mole, so I went and looked. Here is an apt quotation:

“ It was comforting to know that God and she understood each other, she told herself, with a cynical smile for her presumption, and it was strange to think that Mr. Pilgrim was probably as sure of God's nature as she was, and, like her, made it fit his prejudices; strange that a God who had as many characters as the men and women who sought Him in times of trouble and forgot Him in their happiness, should yet have the power to give peace to bewildered spirits…”

I went out and bought a new laptop so that I could do Zoom on it, rather than on my phone. Found one at Target for $250. I hate how the new machines think they know better than you, and the companies want all of your life's information and want to track you everywhere and sell you things. But I have to admit it is a joy to be able to use the internet without long delays again.

There was a Zoom meeting Thursday evening to watch Godspell. It started late because the professor had fallen asleep and one of the students had to call him. I started it on my new computer, but it stalled part way. Daughter thinks it’s because I’m using my phone as hotspot at home, and it’s just not enough juice. We’ll see.
Anyway, I went to the library yesterday and watched it there, after some confusing tech problems, on one of their tvs. A two page paper is due on it next week. I will post my stream of consciousness notes later. Don’t expect them to make sense. I’m transcribing them mostly because I’m bound to lose the paper notes.
But to day is a T day. Grandbaby is here. When I tucked her in last night, she cupped my chin and said “You’re my best little boy, Nana.”

I love the music, although I am not really crazy about the movie.

Back when I was in college a travelling troupe put it on as part of the local arts subscription. We students could get in on our IDs. As it turned out, their sound equipment went on strike, and they were forced to use the hall's system, which was really bad. However I got lost in the performance and it didn't really matter.

>23 2wonderY: When I tucked her in

Beautiful.

>24 MarthaJeanne: not really crazy about the movie

You are making a comment about the film production specifically, distinct from the musical production? Or about the book (story) distinct from the songs?

I don't think I've seen a full production, live or filmed, but have seen a few songs from a filmed production. The focus on Jesus as a radical in his society appeals to me, but I don't know enough to comment on how well that fits either history as we know it, or aligns with one theological interpretation of Jesus versus another.

Thanks for this, Ruth. I've come to it late as I was travelling in Uganda without a decent internet connection so I saved it for when I got home today. Some of those images are beautiful and moving. I struggle to see why any of them should be considered controversial.

If we're looking for authentic images of what the historical Jesus and other biblical figures might have looked like, then some of those photos from what we call the Middle East give us a clue. He certainly wouldn't have looked like a renaissance Italian. If we're getting more theological and affirming that the eternal Logos was born into the world in the human form of Jesus to be the Christ for all peoples and cultures, then it is also appropriate to portray the Christ in images from any culture. Ethiopian Christians have been portraying an Ethiopian Christ and other biblical figures for centuries.

I never really got into Godspell, but I liked Jesus Christ Superstar, and thirty or forty years ago I used to use it as a resource when leading retreats and days of recollection. Even though it presents an unorthodox interpretation of the gospel stories, it can help us to interrogate our images and narratives.

My notes from class in preparation for Godspell

Fools for Christ
Anthony the Great - “People will behave like madmen and if you don’t go along, you will be called mad.”
Isaiah 20:1-3
Ezekiel 4:4-8, 10-12
Hosea 1:2-3
1 Corinthians 4:10, 18 also, of course, 9:20-23
Bonaventura
Francis of Assisi
Brother Juniper
Symeon of Emesa
St. Procopius of Ustyug - slept on the church steps (reminds me of a church that installed a water sprayer to keep the homeless from sleeping on the steps.)
Basil, Fool for Christ, Moscow - rebuked Ivan the Terrible and shoplifted from the rich to give to the poor.
The Juggler of Norte Dame

There was also a reference to The Feast of Fools, from which the playwright got his inspiration for harlequin Jesus. I borrowed it and looked through it. It was only mildly interesting in itself.

>27 2wonderY:

There's a good book called St Francis and the Foolishness of God by Marie Dennis et al, published in 1993 by Orbis.

I’m already getting mixed up with recalling class sessions. Monday was a review of the creeds, their progression, and which gnostic teaching they rebutt.

The Roman Symbol (ca. AD 150)
The Apostles Creed (ca. AD 404)
Original form of the Niceness Creed (325)
The Niceness Creed (451)
Creed of Chalcedon (451) - a discussion of the natures question.
Creed of Athenasius (Trinidadian Formulation)
United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology

Two personal comments.
On the trinity - a local theologian said that it was one of the most difficult concepts to understand and convey. If it hadn’t been essential, it should have been abandoned.

On the natures of Jesus - I’ve spent time imagining how this really played out. As an infant, Jesus would be innocent of all knowledge and would only gradually understand who he was. As any child is attuned to its parents’ voices, he would have perked up whenever scripture or prayer was recited in his presence. Only as his human nature began to understand language and meaning would he also gradually learn about his divine nature and begin to dialogue with his Father. We humans can develop this technique too.

I always kind of like Athanasius. Using that creed in public worship might be pushing it, but I enjoy reading it and meditating on it.

The 1981 version of the UCC creed is a lot better than the 1959 original which I remember using.

>28 John5918: I may look that up.

After the review of the creeds, we broke into small groups and were supposed to discuss “Is this Jesus the one you would want to worship?”

I thought it a silly question, and there was little discussion forthcoming. You don’t worship something distilled from a creed. You have a relationship with a being that you connect with in some way.

From what I’m gathering, some students have had him for other classes. They may understand his methodology a bit more. But I’m finding him less than clear with his goals.

We hit on a few heresies. Smith described Arianism as a belief that Jesus was only “mostly divine” (referencing The Princess Bride’s “mostly dead” scene.)
That the son is subordinate and not co-eternal; and could change and decide not to die on the cross.
Actually, his human nature did shrink away from the prospect, but his divine nature would not, because of its generosity.

Yesterday, we were scheduled to discuss Mark. But, instead, there was a PowerPoint on the early church and what gospel means.

First, a page or so from Josephus telling that Nero blamed the Christians for all sorts of deviancies and the great fire, and how he punished them with atrocious executions.
I guess he tied this back to Mark and his apocalyptic paragraphs. He went to OT examples of apocalyptic prophecies too, but I missed writing them down.

He discussed the words
Evangelicomai
Kerysso and Kerygme
Didasko
Diamartyrromi

Their frequencies and specific meanings. Again, referred back to OT usages of “good news” about battle outcomes. Specifically battles of liberation; sometimes liberation of the poor and oppressed. Oddly, in most OT examples, the king didn’t like the message and slew the messenger.

Mentions that didn’t seem to go anywhere are
Septuagint - translation of scriptures from Hebrew to Greek
Ugarit clay tablets

We are supposed to read Mark, chapters 8, 9, 10 and 16 for Friday. Already a mention of lines 16:9-20 being a later addition.

He did not show us Mark’s butt in 14:51-52. My Sunday school students loved that reveal.

I was in a study room where the light kept shutting off, because there was no motion detected. I couldn’t just wave an arm or drop my bag. No, I had to get up and run around the table.

Next film
Pasolini’s Gospel according to St. Matthew

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6kf3qx

Friday we spent time tracking down where the disciples question or challenge Jesus’ foretelling of the passion and comparing the three transfiguration stories. This is beginning to feel like a bible study class rather than focusing on the stated topic.

Seems God the Father is telling the apostles “let Jesus define what it means to be Messiah.”

Monday we finally met in person, with a zoom option for whoever wanted it. Most showed up.
We started Matthew, and only got the first couple of chapters. We spent a lot of time on the genealogy and it’s significance. Then we spent most of the class in 1 and 2 Samuel, exploring what a shit David was.
We also spent time with Joseph’s decision to set Mary aside or claim her child as his.

I should write out my notes when the memory is fresh.
Last Wednesday was the second class on Matthew, but I wrote very little down, and now it’s lost.
What I did scribble -

Book 2 of Josephus discusses the three philosophical sects of Judaism
Essences - purified priesthood
Pharisees - the law is most important
Sadduces - Temple and Torah
also the Zealots at Masada.

I guess we were discussing why Matthew constantly quotes the Old Testament.

Prof Smith admitted that he is teaching two other similar courses and sometimes confuses the three. Aha. He even had to pull up handouts from those other courses to continue his points. Hmmm. Yeah, this is feeling more of a bible study class than focusing on images of Jesus. Have I said that before?

He cancels Friday classes on the weeks we are assigned a film to watch.
I took the opportunity to drive back to WV and collect some of my religion and theology books. Ah. Much better. I found part of why I think of Matthew as the author of Q.
William Barclay says in his intro to the Gospel of Matthew volume 1:

Scholars are agreed that the first gospel as it stands does not come directly from the hand of Matthew. … But one of the earliest Church historians, a man called Papias, gives us this intensely important piece of information: “Matthew collected the sayings of Jesus in the Hebrew tongue.”

I asked Prof Smith to recommend a good discussion on Q today before class. He mentioned the Jesus Seminar. How very disappointing.

Yesterday we moved on to Luke.
It starts with Caesar Augustus, who was referred to as “son of God” and who instituted the “pax Augustus.”
Unlike Mark, Luke acknowledges that the end times have been delayed (?) and the Church must be active.
In Luke, Jesus is always at prayer.

Blessed = right relationship with God.

We reviewed the intended audiences, the preferential groups, and the material bent to the preachings.

I admit, I rarely read Luke. I might have to consider why.

I suffered through the Pasolini film. I thought it was awful. Sure would appreciate another take on it, as I need to write two pages on it.

I’m cleansing my palate by watching the 2014 Son of God, directed by Christopher Spencer. It jumps around in the gospels, and misses a few details, but oh! What a relief it is!

History of depictions of baby Jesus

https://theconversation.com/baby-jesus-in-art-and-the-long-tradition-of-depictin...

>40 2wonderY:

I have on my TBR pile The Passion of Pier Paolo Pasolini, prompted by reference to his films by musicians I admire. I've not yet read the book nor seen any of his films, but remain curious. I look forward to anyone else posting reactions to the film.

Why not write two pages on what you found awful about it? If I'd assigned the film and the reaction paper, I'd certainly be interested in that.

>42 elenchus: I am, but trying to stretch it without repeating much.

Prof. Smith admitted that the Jesus in this film was the most satisfying for him, mostly because he was Mediterranean (Spanish/Italian) and had short hair. He showed that forensic/archeologic mock-up based on skulls from that time and place.



Article:
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/jesus-face-forensic-anthropology-art-392823

Wednesday we scampered through John.

He mentioned the seven signs (miracles) and how they led to the faith of the observers. This is opposite from the Synoptics, where miracles happen after the faith of the person is declared.

Listed the “I am” statements from Jesus:
-bread of life, bread come down from heaven
-light of the world
-gate for the sheep
-good shepherd
-the resurrection, the life
-the way, the truth, the life
-true vine
8:24 “I am who I say I am.” And compare this to Exodus 3:13-15, where God declares his name to Moses. “ I am.”
We talked about Yahweh and the Adonis (Lord) substitution when speaking God’s name aloud.

He compared Jesus words on the cross in John versus the Synoptics. 19:30 “It is complete.” He says this indicates that Jesus was in control of the events.

We went into four small groups and were to discuss how we would start a film based on a particular gospel. We were assigned Luke.

We started Friday’s class with a piece of Alec McCowen in his solo performance of St. Mark's Gospel. Prof. Smith wanted us to get an idea of how listening to a gospel, rather than reading it, might be a different experience. I enjoyed it immensely and may look it up to listen to the entirety.

Then we turned to Paul, and his depictions of Jesus in his letters.

He split us into small groups ( CJ, Katie) and assigned chapters from several of the letters and had us observe how and how frequently Paul mentions Jesus, as well as how often he mentions Jesus’ ministry actions.

Results:
1. Paul refers to Jesus as Son of God and Jesus Christ, Lord.
2. But, most of his content talks about God.
3. He folds Jesus back into the discussion as the agent of salvation.
4. It’s his death and resurrection that save us from our sins.
Went back to Deuteronomy (maybe?) to point out that animal sacrifices were meant to absolve unintentional sin. Hmmm. Must try to find this reference.

And we are done with Paul. He even let us out early.

He threw up a quote from E. P. Sanders concerning Jesus’ dual nature “neither discrete nor combined.” I must follow up on that quote.

The day was so spring-like, after week after week of ice and snow, that I walked the campus and found the print shop. I may now be able to use the library printers for assignments.

I have experienced David M. Rhoads reciting his translation of Mark. I had attended a workshop with him first, and my teenage (then) son went to the performance with me. Not only was the performance very moving, but I spent the tram ride home trying to answer my son's excited questions. Quite an evening!

>47 MarthaJeanne: Very cool! I wonder if I can find that on a recording.

>46 2wonderY:

Went back to Deuteronomy (maybe?) to point out that animal sacrifices were meant to absolve unintentional sin. Hmmm. Must try to find this reference.

Leviticus 4.

>49 lilithcat: Thank you!

Hurrah. I found my main bible again. I had emptied my satchel when I went out of town, and laid it down somewhere. I forgot I had put it inside another bag because of the weather. I had substituted a New Testament with very modern language for class work. It gives some interesting interpretations; but I mainly keep it for it's arresting holographic cover.

A story:

In the sixties my family lived in India for four years. My father never learned enough Marathi to do the seminary teaching planned, and even the expected five year stint planned had to be cut short due to medical issues in the family, but both my parents stayed usefully busy during the time we were there.

Among the things Dad had with him was a filmstrip of Indian Christian art. Do you remember film strips? Basically a set of still pictures that could be projected onto a screen (or wall). The paintings showed Christ with Indian, even specifically Hindu imagery. I remember one with Jesus' face in Krishna blue. Krishna is blue after swallowing the poison that was supposed to destroy the world. That kind of image was not well known in India at the time, and Dad showed it in many venues.

Later we went to boarding school, but our first semester in India we attended the only English medium school in Ahmadnagar - The Sacred Heart Convent High School for Girls (which taught both girls and boys, and started at kindergarten). Anyway, the nuns heard that we had this filmstrip, and asked if it could be shown at the school, so Dad spent one day showing it to group after group: the nuns and teachers, the students, but also the employees of the school, sweepers, gardeners, cooks... After one showing, one of the servants came up to him and said, "Sahib, I have worked for these sisters for many years now. They are good women, and they do good things for our city. But I could never understand what they were talking about. Sahib, today, after seeing these pictures, I think I am beginning to understand."

I wish I had copies of those pictures. I saw them so many times. They are part of how I see Jesus.

>52 MarthaJeanne: That’s a powerful testimony. I will share it.

REL 225 MIDTERM STUDY GUIDE
1. Pirandello’s Right You Are
A. Mrs. Ponza as demonstrating “love your neighbor”
B. How does the play relate to Jesus?
C. How does the play NOT relate to Jesus?
2. Pasolini’s Gospel According to St. Matthew
3. Godspell’s portrayal of Jesus
A. Focus on Jesus’ teachings
B. Resurrection?
C. Where is this movie “true” to the gospel accounts of Jesus?
4. JCS’s portrayal of Jesus
A. Focus on Jesus’ Passion
B. Resurrection?
C. Where is this movie “true” to the gospel accounts of Jesus?
5. Jesus in Mark
A. Jesus as the suffering Messiah
B. Discuss significance of blindness of disciples vs. the seeing of blind Bartimaeus
C. Persecution of Christians in 60s CE as backdrop for Mark’s portrayal of Jesus
D. What IS Mark’s portrayal of Jesus?
6. Jesus in Matthew
A. “TheNewMoses”
B. Historical setting of Matthew’s gospel
C. Significance of Jesus’ lineage in 1.1-17
D. Parallels with Moses
E. Why are disciples portrayed in a much more positive light than in Mark?
7. Jesus in Luke
A. UniversalJesus
B. Women
C. The poor
D. Relations with Gentiles
8. Jesus in John
A. Mostdivine—giveexamples
B. Jesus in control—give examples
9. Prothero’s American Jesus (chaps. 1-4)
A. Jefferson’s Jesus—characteristics? why look at Jesus in this way?
B. Feminine Jesus—characteristics? why look at Jesus in this way?
C. Masculine Jesus—characteristics? why look at Jesus in this way?
D. Superstar—characteristics? why look at Jesus in this way?

>52 MarthaJeanne:

Thank you for sharing your story, movingly told.

At Ruth's request I shared a few African depictions of Jesus in another thread, in posts 116 and 117 here.

Ugh. Sorry I haven’t kept this up. We’re done with Prothero and we’re moving on to The Meaning of Jesus. It’s a dialog between Jesus Seminar’s Marcus Borg and his friend N. T. Wright. It will certainly be interesting.

I think we all read the syllabus incorrectly. Everyone I know read chapters 1 and 2, when it actually but indirectly assigned chapters 3 and 4. So when he assigned an in-class small group discussion and questions, we were all furiously reading and digesting and sharing key points.

I learned that my next chair neighbor is an agriculture major; which is what my degree is in.

Oh, and the questions were
1. What is Jesus’ self awareness of his messianic identity?
2. Discuss Jesus’ proclamation of the kingdom of God? How does this relate to his self-awareness of being the Messiah?

I'm currently editing a manuscript by a Rwandan priest who as a young boy survived the 1994 genocide while his family were killed around him. He reflects on what post-genocide theology should look like. He refers approvingly to a particular crucifix in a church in Kibuye which is associated with the genocide. I don't think it's an African sculpture, but he notes that Jesus' head is held upright, not bowed, and his eyes are open.



Source

>59 John5918: Yes, that’s a very different Jesus to contemplate.

The Romanesque crucifixes used to show an upright Christ, "As was typical in the early Middle Ages, Christ is shown awake and wholly upright, to indicate that He is still the creator and sustainer of the universe, even in the midst of His Passion." (https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2019/11/a-12th-century-romanesque-crucifix.html#.YvOgw4qxWf0)

My aunt’s church in Florida had a resurrected Christ superimposed against the cross. It was magnificent.

>62 2wonderY:

I've seen one or two like that. Magnificent indeed!

It occurred to me that I might be able to find the Risen Christ statue by googling. I think I have.
This is at St. Margaret Mary parish in Winter Park, FL



On the way, I saw this one, which is even more glorious.


A St. Patrick parish, possibly in Nebraska.

https://stpatricksgretna.org/mesmerize/history-2/the-living-jesus/