Pelikan traces the cultural incarnations of Jesus through 19th centuries.

Pelikan traces the cultural incarnations of Jesus through 19th centuries.

One of the most highly regarded works of intellectual history of the past decade, Jesus Through the Centuries is an original and compelling study of the impact of Jesus on cultural, political, social, and economic history. Noted historian and theologian Jaroslav Pelikan reveals how the image of Jesus created by each successive epoch--from rabbi in the first century to liberator in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries--is a key to understanding the temper and values of that age.

A magisterial analysis of the different emphases regarding Jesus of Nazareth's life and character throughout the ages and how cultures have been shaped by Jesus from the first century until now.

The author highlights Jesus in context, the meeting of Jesus and Greek philosophy, Constantinian and Augustinian views of Jesus, the development of the monastic life, renewal in the late Middle Ages, views of Jesus during the Renaissance, Reformation, the Enlightenment, and Romanticism, and Jesus as a Liberation and mission figure over the past two centuries.

The author does well at showing how the portrayals of Jesus in the Gospels are understood throughout these centuries, how each successive group emphasized different aspects of His character, and how the figure and faith of Jesus shaped many aspects of those cultures, both in agreement and on account of disagreement.

An excellent resource for understanding the history of Christianity and Western cultures. ( )

Excellent. This book shows how ridiculous it is to think that our religious tradition are the same today as they were when they first began. Consistency or age is not the basis of a true or meaningful religious tradition. This is exemplified by showing how the perception of Jesus has changed over time and region to meet the prevailing attitudes or concerns of the day. Mary Through the Centuries is excellent also. ( )

A counter to those that see the Jesus and Christianity as a universal constant. This book explores 20 "Jesus" that have been "created" to meet the needs of that generation and that society. ( )

Yet another treasure snapped up at the Friends of the Seattle Public Library book sale. This book is a brief look at the perception of Jesus through the centuries by the "Christian" culture. While Jesus Himself has not changed over the centuries, the way His followers perceive Him has. Mr. Pelikan breaks the book up into 18 different roles that have at one point in history been the dominant perception of Jesus of Nazareth. In each chapter, Pelikan explains the concept, showcases those who held it and shows how it in turn is reflected in their actions. It's fascinating how so many can take the same source material, the Bible, and see different things in it. It's also a bit humbling as I'm forced to realize that my own beliefs about Jesus are not necessarily a pure doctrine delivered directly to me by the Holy Spirit, but rather are teachings that have been handed down and flavored by generations of scholars, philosophers and teachers. And maybe even a prophet or two. This is a must read for those interested in Jesus and history, which is why it's going on my shelf.
--J. ( )

Christianity, History