CNES1082: Jesus in History

Who was Jesus? While there has been some basic consistency in the depictions of Jesus throughout history, there has also been lots of variety. We will explore a whole host of portraits of Jesus at different points in history to demonstrate not only the varying ways that Jesus has been thought of but also to understand the relationship between these portraits and the historical and cultural contexts in which they were created. We will look at the gospels of the New Testament and some from outside the New Testament. We will look at ancient and medieval art. And we will look at modern film. Although we might not get to the bottom of who Jesus was, we might understand more fully how communities throughout history have thought about him. Intended as a course of interest to undergraduates in all colleges of the TC campus. Students of any, all, or no religious background are welcome.