Over Easter, Reverend Professor Dorothy Lee, Stewart Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity College Theological School, joined other experts on the ABC podcast God Forbid. The topic was the life of Jesus through a religious, political, and historical lens. Information about the episode and a link to listen can be found below.
Christians celebrate, and reflect upon, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ at Easter. But how much do we really know about the man whose life has shaped the spiritual, and often political, course of history for so many? In a 2021 survey by National Church Life, less than half the respondents believed that Jesus was a real historical figure. For this Easter episode of God Forbid, James Carleton and the panel explore the life of Jesus through a religious, political, and historical lens.
In this episode:
The historical life of Jesus has fascinated countless first century scholars, both Christian and non-Christian. US-based Amy Jill Levine is a Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. She shares her insights about Jesus and the lessons we can take from his historical life.
Jesus often used simple stories of parables to relay messages of hope, redemption, justice, forgiveness, love, compassion, and salvation. But what happens when those parables are commandeered by those wanting to make a political point?
Women feature prominently in the story of Jesus. But today, the place of women in many Christian churches is restricted and in the Catholic church, the priesthood remains limited to men only. So how might a closer look at the historical life of Jesus alter our view of the place of women in contemporary Christianity?
Guests:
Dr Dorothy Lee, Professor of New Testament Studies, Trinity College Theology School at the The University of Divinity in Melbourne
Dr Amy Jill Levine, Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at the Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. She’s also the University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Jacob Sarkodee, Chief Impact Officer at International Justice Mission (an anti-slavery organisation)
Brad Chilcott, Adelaide pastor and founder of Welcoming Australia (provides advocacy for and services to recently arrived migrants, particularly refugees, in Australia)
Presenter:
James Carleton
Producers:
Sam Carmody / Hong Jiang
Established in 1877, Trinity College Theological School is committed to shaping men and women who wish to pursue ordination in the Anglican Church, develop skills for lay ministry, or simply explore Christian faith for personal or vocational enrichment and development.
School of Indigenous Studies
Whitley College
University of Divinity
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