Introduction
For better (e.g., St. Francis of Assisi, Mother Teresa) and, unfortunately, for worse (the crusades, the Inquisition), the past two millenia of Western Civilization have been predominantly Christocentric. Jesus of Nazaretth has inspired countless artists, sculptors, architects, composers, theologians, and writers, and over the last 2,000 years more cultural artifacts are devoted to the story of his life than that of any other individual.
The exact date for the birth of Jesus of Nazareth is uncertain, but we know it could not have been after 4 B.C. (Some scholars date his birth as early as 7 B.C.) He grew from boy to man in Nazareth in Galilee, though the New Testatement tells us almost nothing of his youth. His career and teaching are recorded in the Gospels, the first four books of the New Testament. Drawn to the preaching of John the Baptist, Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan river and began his three-year public ministry.
He became an itinerant rabbi (teacher), gathering a small company of associates (disciples or Apostles) and a larger company of followers, and travelled in Galilee, Tyre, Sidon and finally to Jerusalem over a period of about three years. There he was arrested and brought to trial in the administration of the Roman procurator Pontius Pilate, probably in the year 29 A.D (or possibly 33 A.D.). He was condemned to die by crucifixion. Upon his death, his followers left for their homes, but quickly regathered in Jerusalem, being convinced that Jesus was raised from the dead, or resurrected.
MAPS
Ancient Jerusalem
Palestine at the Time of Christ
ART
Tyre (c.1895) -- Ridpath image.
Sidon by Moonlight (c.1895) -- Ridpath image.
Jerusalem in the time of Jesus -- Ridpath image.
As a teache ...