Does it matter what Jesus looked like?

Cmass · Post by **Cmass** » Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:40 am

I did a bit of research this evening concerning what Jesus might have looked like if he had existed as a historical figure and it got me to thinking a bit about the depiction of Jesus and the whole scene back then. There is some recent work that has been done in this area that concludes a rather homely savior:
* A bit over 5' tall, 110lbs, very dark sun dried skin, short & dark wiry hair. All in all, a small, scrappy, gnarly dude. I don't want to debate the science that went into reconstructing Jesus. It was extensive and has not been the basis of great challenge by most Christians.
But ultimately, it should not matter should it? It should only be a matter of curiosity but not really make any difference in our faith.....right? Why then do we - especially in the West - make Jesus in our own image?

The Jesus TV channels do this to the extreme. Last Xmas I watched the story of Joseph & Mary on the local Jesus channel and was happily appalled that Mary looked to be about 5' 10", long, slender shaven legs, long blond hair, clean, pearly white teeth, a perfect figure, high cheek bones and beautiful sparkling blue eyes. She was absolutely hot and no amount of sack-cloth garments could hide it. Same with Joseph (Of Malibu?).
But why? Why not make them more realistic? I have yet to see ONE Chrisitian-made film where the main characters have rotten teeth, scraggly hair, flies buzzing around their unclean backsides. And they all speak proper Elizabeathen English - even though rarely quoting the bible (only words from the bible; what a horrible screenplay that would be!) with American accents and communicate with typical modern gestures and expressions.
Why?

bernee51 · Post by **bernee51** » Sat Oct 14, 2006 11:08 pm

FiredUp4jesus wrote:
Wouldn't that be great! I wish more christians would act like Christ too!

Gandhi (who, according to christian beliefs, is, like all infidels, hellbound) stated it thus: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

FiredUp4jesus · Post by **FiredUp4jesus** » Sun Oct 15, 2006 10:14 am

bernee51 wrote:
FiredUp4jesus wrote:
Wouldn't that be great! I wish more christians would act like Christ too!
Gandhi (who, according to christian beliefs, is, like all infidels, hellbound) stated it thus: "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."

I can't deny the truth. Many Christians do not follow Christ. That doesn't mean they are the example you should follow.