Not so long ago I asked my readers what they thought about Jesus and received some interesting answers. I'm fascinated by this first century prophet, but even more so by the hold he has on our country as a whole. Even non-Christians are quick to acknowledge his impact. But it is obvious that opinions about the man and his teachings are wide and varied. The large number of religious traditions supposedly based on his teachings - all perhaps unfairly lumped together under the banner of Christianity - gives testimony to the fact that Jesus is widely misunderstood.My Groper Poll question for this week:
What was the biggest influence in forming your mental image of Jesus?
a) reading/studying the canonical gospels
b) Hollywood movies about Jesus
c) reading a book(s) about his life
d) hearing about him from Bible preachers and teachers
e) from information your parents passed to you
f) other
I will go first and state that I first heard about Jesus from my parents and the leaders of my church, and I watched the popular Jesus movies that crop up on television every Easter season. But I have to say that when I got old enough to want to clear up the confusion in my own mind, I went straight to the Biblical gospels. Those studies built the framework of what I now hold to be true about Jesus.
3 comments:
Mental image: From my aunt's lesbian lover. She bought me my first Bible with pix, and she had Jesus picture in her bedroom. She also took me to her Lutheran church and occasional evening film events for kids. I remember the film: a boy breaks a glass of water and is scolded in the wrong wat then the right way, with forgiveness and love. A young white man with long brown hair. Then films, same, Jesus C Superstar circa 1970s--same. I was in Jr High b4 I said, "Hey, wait a minute!" LOL
Wow! You continue to match my experiences. Bible Teachers & preachers were the main ones who formed my mental picture of Jesus. I had questions which were never asked for 59 years. I suppose those questions finally dissipated. From time to time they raised their heads to confound me and make me very uncomfortable.
If you're asking about my physical mental image of Jesus then it is hands down the 1979 film, Jesus. I watched it just about every other Saturday afternoon (I was SDA) for Sabbath entertainment. It is still my favorite Jesus film thus far. (Although I've been meaning to watch the new Gospel of John film which came out a couple years ago.)
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