American Jesus, by Stephen Prothero
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12wonderY
I’m taking a religion course at the local college. Besides lots of other readings, there are three official texts we will be discussing.
This is the first, and though it isn’t on the schedule for a few more weeks, I thought I’d give it a start. It’s already made me laugh multiple times. Not that the author means it to.
The course title is Images of Jesus.
American Jesus: how the Son of God became a national icon, by Stephen Prothero was published in 2003. I’ve already noticed this professor does not like to update his reading assignments, though his art images include many very recent examples.
This is the first, and though it isn’t on the schedule for a few more weeks, I thought I’d give it a start. It’s already made me laugh multiple times. Not that the author means it to.
The course title is Images of Jesus.
American Jesus: how the Son of God became a national icon, by Stephen Prothero was published in 2003. I’ve already noticed this professor does not like to update his reading assignments, though his art images include many very recent examples.
22wonderY
I’ve read Prothero’s 2007 Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know, And Doesn't, back in 2010. I wasn’t doing much recording of reviews or impressions back then. I don’t own it and probably won’t seek it out, but it doesn’t stand out in memory as earth shaking.
32wonderY
Introduction
Wrestles with the perception of the US as a Christian vs. multi religious vs. secular nation.
From de Tocqueville through Robert Baird (1844) and Will Herberg (1955) to Diana L. Eck’s (2001) surveys.
“the country’s de facto religiosity and its de jure secularity”
He makes clear he is looking for cultural Jesus not theological Jesus. So he immediately jumps back to the 4th century Council of Laodicea, when four gospels were canonized, and not just one.
(Perhaps this is where Prof. Smith is inspired to seek out different faces.)
“At least in the United States, Jesus has stood not on some unchanging rock of ages, but on the shifting sands of economic circumstances, political calculations, and cultural trends… the American Jesus has been something of a chameleon.”
Wrestles with the perception of the US as a Christian vs. multi religious vs. secular nation.
From de Tocqueville through Robert Baird (1844) and Will Herberg (1955) to Diana L. Eck’s (2001) surveys.
“the country’s de facto religiosity and its de jure secularity”
He makes clear he is looking for cultural Jesus not theological Jesus. So he immediately jumps back to the 4th century Council of Laodicea, when four gospels were canonized, and not just one.
(Perhaps this is where Prof. Smith is inspired to seek out different faces.)
“At least in the United States, Jesus has stood not on some unchanging rock of ages, but on the shifting sands of economic circumstances, political calculations, and cultural trends… the American Jesus has been something of a chameleon.”
42wonderY
“I want to know what Americans see in him - whether he is aloof or friendly, dour or merry, masculine or feminine, homely or handsome. I am interested in the man, not the metaphysics.”
Aha! This certainly is a good synopsis of the PowerPoint presentation in the first class.
Discussion of class sessions is in this thread:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/338794#
Aha! This certainly is a good synopsis of the PowerPoint presentation in the first class.
Discussion of class sessions is in this thread:
https://www.librarything.com/topic/338794#
52wonderY
I’ve fallen way behind on postings, even though I began early. Today we will discuss the last chapter in class. But instead of returning it to the library right away, I will try to flesh out each chapter here. It’s an interesting book, though exhausting. The chapters are long on history and names.
It is broken out into two parts, each containing four chapters.
Part 1 is Resurrections. Part 2 is Reincarnations.
I’m only establishing the chapter heading now. Will comment later.
It is broken out into two parts, each containing four chapters.
Part 1 is Resurrections. Part 2 is Reincarnations.
I’m only establishing the chapter heading now. Will comment later.
