quankanne Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 She brought with her, an illustrated Bible, in which Jesus was depicted as a black African. Mary too was black, and dressed in typically African clothes. several years ago, a contemporary Bible done in the old style of illumination was printed, called the St. John's Bible. Basically, the group creating the volumes used a blend of computer, old-world "monk-style" artwork and writing, and included contemporary elements (patterns of prayer chants, the Twin Towers, etc) so that future generations could see how we lived in the 20th/21st century. And one of the neatest figures in there was that of Christ sowing the ground with seed, dressed in blue jeans! Because in our collective memory, especially here in the U.S., we have images of farmers in jeans or overalls, working the fields. And it's no more threatening an image than an ancient Middle Eastern farmer dressed in his native garb as he went about planting his crops. the thing about Jesus is that he is meant to be readily identifiable to us, so we render images that are familiar to us as we make that visual connection. However, the beauty of Jesus is that it's not that we recognize him with our eyes, but rather, with our hearts. Link to post Share on other sites
EnigmasMuse Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Ignorant Christians." Anyone can be ignorant. Link to post Share on other sites
amerikajin Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I'm guessing that Jesus' physical appearance was similar to that of people in Judea. Probably very olive-complected. Probably considerably shorter than most adult men alive today, like around 4'11 - 5'3" in height. Probably weighed in at a whopping 100-130 pounds or so. Probably had dark hair and dark eyes. I guess he was bearded and had fairly long hair if we are to believe most of the depictions of him. I don't believe Jesus was necessarily divine, but I do accept one thing about the man: his teachings, whether they were his or perhaps a collection of scriptures compiled by others who lived with him, are very good words to live by. I don't have a bone to pick with Christianity itself, but I do take exception with how it is practiced by some of its devotees. Link to post Share on other sites
Lovelybird Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I agree with several posters said here. Jesus didn't look handsome, if people judge according to today's standards, his appearance probably can get no one to notice him. But his message and teaching alone changed this world so much. The beauty about him is his spirit and heart. But I believe Jesus must have most beautiful and deep eyes like sea. The cloth that they claimed used to wrapped Jesus when he was crucified shows that Jesus has a very masculine face Link to post Share on other sites
Author Mahatma Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 It is refreshing to hear how you guys feel about this and not how you feel about what I said. I displayed my current feelings on the subject, expecting people to "set me strait." To those who explained why they do not care what he actually looked like and about it just being a "representation," that was a quite good explanation. I can not help but wonder, however, why most depictions of him are white... Does this mean a white person is most people's ideal person? Continue to yell at me Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Barnes Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Jesus was white. Get over it Link to post Share on other sites
johan Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I don't know what color he was, but I guarantee he had no rhythm. Link to post Share on other sites
Lovelybird Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 It is refreshing to hear how you guys feel about this and not how you feel about what I said. I displayed my current feelings on the subject, expecting people to "set me strait." To those who explained why they do not care what he actually looked like and about it just being a "representation," that was a quite good explanation. I can not help but wonder, however, why most depictions of him are white... Does this mean a white person is most people's ideal person? Continue to yell at me Hi, if the thought that Jesus is white can make you happy, then go for it. Link to post Share on other sites
quankanne Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 my guess is that all the religious art was out of Europe, and therefore, Baby J to Jesus all grown up has fair skin/complexion. And I think there's also something to do with the light/dark = good/evil depictions of art. If he was divine, then to symbolically represent him, he would be blue-eyed and blond-haired, with rosy skin. So would his mom, even though the Bible assures us she was a Jewish handmaiden! is a white person my ideal depiction? no, not really, but more of a mix of light and dark (dark hair, light eyes, skin tone golden brown), but that's just me ... liking the mestizo look simply because I've seen it work so well within my own family via the kids my sibs had. Link to post Share on other sites
Storyrider Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Amerikajin has it right. Jesus was a Mid-Eastern Jew and so that is what he looked like. However, portraits of him are idealized, of course, by the artist who creates them for a particular audience. People of Mid-Eastern decent are Caucasian, by the way. Link to post Share on other sites
Moose Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Does this mean a white person is most people's ideal person?I wouldn't think so. I just don't think it's important to know what Christ actually look liked. One day I'll know, that's good enough for me. I think that the reason we depict him as a white person more than any other ethnicity is because of the fact that He's extended his Grace to both the Jew and the Gentile. As we all know, the Gentile(s) out number the Jew...... Link to post Share on other sites
Dexter Morgan Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 To those who explained why they do not care what he actually looked like and about it just being a "representation," that was a quite good explanation. I can not help but wonder, however, why most depictions of him are white... Uh, because thats the way it is? Besides, most depictions I ever saw of him he had a damn good tan, or olive colored skin. I am a helluva lot whiter than most depictions of Jesus I see. And most depictions of him look pretty well jewish/middle eastern to me. And Jesus was a Jew, and Jews, for the most part, look "white". So I think this is a silly thread. Link to post Share on other sites
theBrokenMuse Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I just find it humorous that he is depicted with long hair when the Bible states that Jesus was against men having long hair. 1 Corinthians 11:14 Link to post Share on other sites
Moose Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 I just find it humorous that he is depicted with long hair when the Bible states that Jesus was against men having long hair. 1 Corinthians 11:14That portion of Scripture deals with public worshipping. I wouldn't neccessarily say Jesus was against men having long hair, but while in public worship, keep it tamed.....at least! Link to post Share on other sites
theBrokenMuse Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 That portion of Scripture deals with public worshipping. I wouldn't neccessarily say Jesus was against men having long hair, but while in public worship, keep it tamed.....at least! He said it wasn't natural for men to have long hair the way women do. That wording alone sounds like it's more of a dislike than just something to keep tidy during public prayer. At least that's my take on it, of course, I could be totally wrong. Link to post Share on other sites
Jake Barnes Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Amerikajin has it right. Jesus was a Mid-Eastern Jew and so that is what he looked like. However, portraits of him are idealized, of course, by the artist who creates them for a particular audience. People of Mid-Eastern decent are Caucasian, by the way.Jesus wasn't a Jew, his ancestors were vikings. I read it in a classic work by the German anthropogist Dieter Hoffman Phillip Von Halsbach Shneider Von Richtoven Link to post Share on other sites
Moose Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 He said it wasn't natural for men to have long hair the way women do. That wording alone sounds like it's more of a dislike than just something to keep tidy during public prayer. At least that's my take on it, of course, I could be totally wrong.Well, this is precisely what I mean about reading Scripture properly. If it weren't natural, then why does it grow? Samson had long hair, that was the source of his strength....I know, I know, different story.... Men who were sent to battle cut their LONG hair to avoid it from being wrapped up in tree limbs. Jesus will not reject a man with long hair, and will treat any man with long hair equally to a man with short hair. The portion of Scripture you pointed out simply put is that in that era, or day and age, (and is still true), men with shorter hair have more of a respectable appearance than that with longer hair.....it says nothing about Jesus being against it, or disliking it.....all He cares about is where your heart is. Link to post Share on other sites
theBrokenMuse Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Well, this is precisely what I mean about reading Scripture properly. If it weren't natural, then why does it grow? Samson had long hair, that was the source of his strength....I know, I know, different story.... Men who were sent to battle cut their LONG hair to avoid it from being wrapped up in tree limbs. Jesus will not reject a man with long hair, and will treat any man with long hair equally to a man with short hair. The portion of Scripture you pointed out simply put is that in that era, or day and age, (and is still true), men with shorter hair have more of a respectable appearance than that with longer hair.....it says nothing about Jesus being against it, or disliking it.....all He cares about is where your heart is. I didn't say anything about Jesus rejecting anyone. I simply stated that saying that it is unnatural and shameful doesn't quite jive with being Ok with it under other circumstances. Shameful and unnatural are strong words but we'll have to agree to disagree. Link to post Share on other sites
desertmoon Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I am wondering if anyone who is Christian here actually has a realistic picture of Jesus. I would venture to say, no...after all he lived on earth a long time ago, when taking pictures was not an everyday thing... In all the pictures I see, Jesus is white. I don't know how many of you have been to the middle east, but those people do not really have white skin. In fact, a realistic version of Jesus would probably turn off many people because of this whole "War on Terrorism" thing. I am not a Christian but I am very familiar with Christianity (guilty, went to "christian" private schools lol)..I believe the reason why Jesus is depicted as a "white man" is because the "white men" were the ones who embraced and spread Christianity with great fervor long time ago.....and perhaps, even now ( missionaries, et al). I have been to the middle east. I have also been to North Africa. The people there are MOSTLY CAUCASIANS! That doesn't mean they are all fair-skinned. It only means that most of their features fall within that box---the caucasian box. The others because of their proximity to Sub-Saharan Africa, of course, have negroid features. So it could very well be that Jesus indeed, while not fair-skinned like someone from Scandinavia..had blue eyes or green, with an aquiline nose.. Mahatma, may I ask what your religion is? are you Hindu? are you Indian? Link to post Share on other sites
desertmoon Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I think people compelled to have a "picture" of Jesus won't really care about its authenticity. Are you marketing ethnically correct pictures or something? Where would one even go about finding these brown Jesus photos... LOL!!!!! You are very funny and I love all your posts...thought I'd tell you that! Link to post Share on other sites
Author Mahatma Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 Mahatma, may I ask what your religion is? are you Hindu? are you Indian? I do not consider it a religion, but I am Buddhist. I am also white/Caucasian. Thank you for the insight as to what people there actually look like. I will have to admit I have never journeyed to the middle east. Link to post Share on other sites
disgracian Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I just find it humorous that he is depicted with long hair when the Bible states that Jesus was against men having long hair. 1 Corinthians 11:14 Corinthians was one of Paul's rants. Jesus said no such thing. Cheers, D. Link to post Share on other sites
Author Mahatma Posted December 18, 2008 Author Share Posted December 18, 2008 I also find it interesting how people of the same religion or "belief" sometimes have a hard time agreeing. I had a sort of discussion/debate with me and two other baptists once. It started with me disagreeing with them, but ending with them yelling at each other while I sat and watched... Link to post Share on other sites
amaysngrace Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I also find it interesting how people of the same religion or "belief" sometimes have a hard time agreeing. I had a sort of discussion/debate with me and two other baptists once. It started with me disagreeing with them, but ending with them yelling at each other while I sat and watched... Because the faith one has is personal. It is their own personal relationship. Which is why some consider it to be uncouth to discuss politics and religion with others. Strong personal beliefs. Do any of you other Christians disagree? Link to post Share on other sites
Posco_Proudfoot Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I also find it interesting how people of the same religion or "belief" sometimes have a hard time agreeing. I had a sort of discussion/debate with me and two other baptists once. It started with me disagreeing with them, but ending with them yelling at each other while I sat and watched... Curious, how much do you know about Christianity, and what religion are you (if any) ? Link to post Share on other sites
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