The Historical Jesus

3 units

Although Jesus of Nazareth is regarded by millions as savior and sage, he left us no writings of his own, so that the task of telling his story fell to followers and critics of later generations. This course examines how Jesus and his message, "the good news," are depicted in strikingly different ways in Christian literature and beyond. After closely examining the various portraits of Jesus set forth in the four biblical Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), and understanding the unique perspectives of each story teller, we will then compare different modern interpretations of Jesus and his teachings. We will also look at how Jesus is represented in ancient Gospels not included in the Bible, such as the Gospels of Thomas, Peter, and Mary, and why some Gospels were chosen to be in the Bible while others were left out. Emphasis will be on understanding the diversity of perspectives on Jesus and how he serves as a powerful vehicle for conveying the values of those who tell his story.