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Searching for the Historical Jesus

Series: Searching for the Historical Jesus

4.4

(39)

Episodes

Rating

TVPG

Year

2022

Language

English

Publisher

The Great Courses

About

Taught by Jean-Pierre Isbouts, a professor emeritus at Fielding Graduate University, these 15 thought-provoking episodes, filmed in the Holy Land, bring Jesus and his world to life with vivid detail, offering an excellent companion piece for anyone wrestling with history or with walking in faith.

Related Subjects

Episodes

1. The Historical Jesus

23m

Begin your exploration by considering the diversity of Christianity today. With so many denominations around the world, what ties everyone together? What can a study of the historical figure of Jesus teach us? Let's go back 2,000 years to meet the "historical Jesus" through historical and archaeological records.

2. Rome and Herod the Great

20m

To understand the life and times of Jesus, you must first understand the world of the Roman Empire. After surveying the big-picture story of Rome, Jean-Pierre zooms in on the historical circumstances of Galilee, which included onerous taxation, hungry citizens, and something of a police state under Herod.

3. Mary and Joseph in Galilee

18m

What can we know about Joseph the Carpenter and the Virgin Mary? Continue your study of Galilee to see what the life of Jesus's parents would have been like. In all probability, Joseph would have been a farmer, as well as a tradesman laboring on public works projects throughout the region.

4. The Birth of Jesus

21m

Imagine what it would have been like to be a young woman having a child out of wedlock, at that time. Reflect on what Joseph and Mary may have thought about their circumstances, and then see how those circumstances evolved into the mystery of the Virgin Mary. Finally, consider how Jesus's birth lines up with biblical prophecies.

5. Growing Up in Galilee

20m

The New Testament Gospels say little about Jesus's upbringing, but a look at the political world offers clues as to what his childhood may have been like. As you will learn here, the kingdom of Judea suffered revolts and civil wars after King Herod's death. Get to know the fervor and zealotry of the times.

6. Rabbi Jesus

22m

At some point, we know Jesus became a rabbi, but where did he get his education? Leaning on evidence from history recorded in the Jewish Mishnah, Jean-Pierre speculates about the philosophies Jesus may have studied, his possible relationship with his family, and the influence of the Greco-Roman world on Galilee.

7. John the Baptist in the Jordan

22m

The political fervor of the era helps explain the story of John the Baptist, a preacher who represented a threat to the power structure. Examine the administration of Pontius Pilate, the way tax collectors tapped into the Temple treasury, and the rebellious message of John the Baptist.

8. The Ministry Begins

20m

After the death of John the Baptist, Jesus began his ministry in earnest. Using the words of the Gospels, as well as the histories of Josephus, you will compare Jesus's message with the apocalyptic screeds of John the Baptist. See what Jesus's ministry looked like, from traveling around Galilee to performing exorcisms and miracles.

9. In the Kingdom of God

20m

Perhaps the apex of Jesus's ministry is the Sermon on the Mount. Explicating this great sermon offers insight into the way Jesus, possibly, was working to reform Judaism through a grassroots movement. Trace the phases of his ministry, from roaming near Capernaum to sailing around the Sea of Galilee.

10. The Mystery of the Miracles

22m

Continue your exploration of Jesus's ministry with a deep dive into his miracles. After reviewing how the miracles align Jesus with Hebrew Bible prophets such as Elisha, you will reflect on the sick, malnourished world of Galilee in the first century. Consider a few scientific explanations for Jesus's supernatural acts.

Extended Details

SeriesSearching for the Historical Jesus

Closed CaptionsEnglish

Artists

The Great CoursesDirector

The Great CoursesProducer

Jean-Pierre IsboutsActor