The Illustrated Jesus Through the Centuries (Hardcover)

~ Professor Jaroslav Pelikan (Author) "Regardless of what anyone may personally think or believe about him, Jesus of Nazareth has been the dominant figure in the history of Western culture..." (more)
Key Phrases: Jesus Christ, New Testament, Jesus of Nazareth (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the Christian world there is no more powerful image than that of Jesus Christ. Yet with each generation that image is reinterpreted through the philosophy and art of the time. Pelikan, a noted Yale history scholar, theologian, and author, here revisits one of his earlier books, Jesus Through the Centuries (LJ 10/1/85). In this revision, Pelikan has abridged the text and turns to illustrations to convey his interpretations. The result is a lighter, easier text with a lovely accompaniment of art. Very beautiful and very appealing for the general reader, this edition by no means replaces the scholarship and documentation of the first; those notations and references are missing in the illustrated edition. However, the illustrations enhance this interesting and insightful text. Pelikan is a delight to read and a master of his topic. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Karen Ellis, Baldwin Boettcher Lib., Humble, Tex.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Pelikan is one of those rare academics who exercises both sides of his brain, and The Illustrated Jesus Through the Centuries enhances our access to Jesus through the imagery of art. -- The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review, Edward McGlynn Gaffney Jr.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Yale University Press (September 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0300072686
• ISBN-13: 978-0300072686
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 9.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #436,552 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Intelligent and Inspiring Presentation, January 24, 2000

By	M. Ramos - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Jaroslav Pellikan, as usual, brings great scholarship and interdisciplinary background to his theological statements. This illustrated version to his celebrated Jesus through the Centuries invites the reader to reflect on the ways humanity through the centuries had understood the person and message of Jesus of Nazareth. Pellikan's original text is condensed to give way to magnificent works of art that reflects faithfully the christological views of theologians, and artists through time. Pellikan tries his best to use models from the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant theologies. This is not a substitute to the original book, but it gives the reader an opportunity to reflect, through words and images, on how the person and message of Christ had been perceived throughout history.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Many faces, yet always the same, July 10, 2003

By	FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)

Jaroslav Pelikan, author of a great number of books, including Mary through the Centuries and a five-volume collection on the history of Christianity entitled The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine, has produced in this volume a lavishly illustrated version of his previous book, Jesus through the Centuries.

In this volume, the original text has been condensed and hundreds of new illustrations have been added, to give a more visual representation of the way in which Jesus has been portrayed artistically through the two millennia of Christianity. Always one of the most popular figures in Eastern and Western art, Jesus has also been one of the most enigmatic and difficult to portray. `"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be lead away by diverse and strange teachings" (Heb. 13:8-9). With these words the New Testament admonished its readers to remain loyal to the deposit of the authentic and authoritative tradition of Christ, as this had come down to them through the apostles of the first generation.... But for purposes of this book, it is the historical import of this phrase that must chiefly engage our attention. For, as will become evident in considerable detail before this history of images of Jesus through the centuries is finished, it is not sameness but kaleidoscopic variety that is its most conspicuous feature.'

Art has, of course, had many different purposes and intentions throughout history -- education, enlightenment, idealistic or realistic representation, and veneration, in addition to simple decoration. The changing imagery of Jesus reflects the changing culture; when Christ is seen as a more divine figure, or when Jesus is shown as completely human, the artist is reflecting the theology and sociology of the time.

One primary image of Jesus presented earliest was that of a rabbi, or teacher. In fact, even when Mary first sees the risen Christ, scripture reports that she called out to him, Rabbouni! Yet from the earliest representations, it was clear that this element was not sufficient for a full description, and that much more was needed. Prophet, priest, king, victim, divinity -- all had particular Jewish contexts which, when recast in the Hellenistic and pagan terms, took new meanings and directions.

One intriguing aspect of the artistic imagery of Jesus is the continuing pendulum swing between contemporary representation (making Jesus and the imagery surrounding him contemporary with the artist) and the more 'historically accurate' representations which try to recreate the imagery of first-century Jerusalem. This shows the continuing conceptual struggle between viewing Jesus as a timeless character whose life events continue through time and the historical human being of Jesus who lived two thousand years ago. Long before scholars banded together in such groups as 'The Jesus Seminar', artists and theologians were playing out their own interpretations of the historicity-vs.-timeless version of Jesus Christ.

This book is an opulent collection of photographs of paintings, drawings and other works of art that illustrate the meaning of the textual arguments Pelikan makes; it is also a wonderful source for contemplation, as one goes from early catacomb depictions to Michaelangelo to Marc Chagall, in reviewing in media without words the way Jesus has appeared to various people and cultures over time, and what insights these images can provide for seekers today.

1 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating subject, badly expressed, October 8, 2001

By A Customer

Pelikan is an admirable scholar who has fine concepts behind his soundly reasoned books. Unfortunately, his writing style slows and disheartens the reader. He has a genius for taking fascinating subjects and reducing them to boredom.