RS 200

“Who do people say that I am?” Jesus’ question elicited a variety of responses in the ancient world. To his supporters, Jesus was a teacher of wisdom, miracle worker, prophet, king, and son of God. His detractors, however, dismissed him as a charlatan, sorcerer, vagabond, and criminal. In our modern age, biblical scholars are also divided in their views of Jesus, identifying him as a philosopher, magician, apocalyptic prophet, social revolutionary, and mystic. What can we know about the person of Jesus, and how was he remembered by his followers and opponents? A critical examination of the New Testament gospels, other Christian, Jewish, and pagan testimonies, archaeology, and iconography will introduce students to the varied perceptions of Jesus in the ancient world. This course fulfills the Religious Studies Geneeral Education requirement.