Documentary Questions Image of Jesus Program Asks Why Many Think Jesus Was White

.c The Associated Press

LONDON (March 28) - Was Jesus dark-skinned? Was he actually born in a cave?

``Jesus: The Complete Story,'' a new documentary television series co-produced by the British Broadcasting Corp., considers these questions in its attempt at a purely scientific investigation into the Messiah of Christendom.

``The combination of new scientific and archaeological discoveries with a reevaluation of the historicity of the Gospels has allowed us to tell the story of Jesus in a fresh and exciting way,'' co-producer Michael Wakelin said of the three-part series, to begin broadcast April 1.

The documentary is to be broadcast in the United States in its entirety on April 15 on The Discovery Channel, which co-produced it.

For the series, a computer-generated image has been created to suggest what Jesus' face might have looked like, contrary to the fair-skinned and fine-featured image familiar since medieval times.

The new image was created by a forensic artist at the University of Manchester using the 2,000-year-old skull of a Jewish man from Israel. Cues on hair and skin tone were taken from frescoes of Jewish faces painted in the third century.

The result is a dark-skinned, curly-haired man with a round, robust face and a stout nose.

The idea of a darker Jesus is becoming more accepted by Catholics - a dark-skinned Jesus was selected in 1999 for a special millennium-edition of the American independent newsweekly, the National Catholic Reporter.

The series goes beyond the skin-tone question, challenging another widely accepted image of Jesus - his birth in a wooden stable. The program argues he was more likely born in a cave.

It also questions whether Judas betrayed Jesus to the Roman authorities, suggesting that a mistranslation could mask that fact that Jesus worked with Judas to provoke his own arrest.

Using diverse historical accounts the documentary weaves a tale of how a young carpenter may have been inspired to lead a pacifist rebellion against the establishment in Jerusalem, launching a religion now embraced by 2 billion people.

(I believe there have been black Madonnas with a black Jesus for a long time in Christianity.)

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), March 28, 2001

Answers

Jesus was a Jew. Don't Jewish people have oliveish skin, kinda in between dark and light? I'm sure that people saw a lot more than physical features when they looked at Him. Like a beautiful spirit shining through. For a description of what he'll look like when He comes again read the book of Revelation. How about a cave used as a stable, that would be more accurate.

You oughta get those tapes Doreen was offering, they answer all sort of questions.

-- Cindy (SE In) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), March 28, 2001.

Although it is more likely that Jesus was dark haired/dark skinned like many Jews, there are also blond haired, blue eyed Jews with fine features. For that matter, many of the darker complected Jews have fine features. I really don't care - I'm content to wait till I see him myself. :)

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), March 28, 2001.

Physical Descriptions of Jesus The Christ Eye-witnesses This is a reprinting of a letter from Pontius Pilate to Tiberius Caesar describinig the physical appearance of Jesus. Copies are in the Congressional Library in Washington, D.C. TO TIBERIUS CAESAR: A youg man appeared in Balilee preaching with humble unction,anew law in the name of the God theat had sent him. At first I was apprehensive that his design was to stir up the people against the Romans, but my fears were soon dispelled. Jesus of Nazareth spoke rather as a friend of the Romans than of the Jews One day I observed in the midst of a group of people a youg man who was leaning against a tree, calmly addressing the multitude. I was told it was Jesus. This I could easily have suspected so great was the difference between him and those who were listening to him. His golden colored hair and beard gave to his appearance a celestial aspect. He appeared to be about 30 years of age. Never have I seen sweeter or more serene countenance. What a contrast between him and his bearers with their black beards and tawny complexions! Unwilling to interrupt him by my presence, I continued my walk but sighified to secretary to join the group and listen. Later, my secretary reported that never had he seen in the works of all the phiosophers anything that compared to the teachings of Jesus. He told me that Jesus was neither seditious nor rebellious, so we extended to him our protection. He was at liberty to act, to speak, to assemble and to address the people. This unlimited freedom provoked the Jews-not the poor but the rich and powerful. Later, I wrote to Jesus requesting an interview with him at the praetorium. He came. When the nazarene made his appearance I was having my morning walk and as I faced him my feet seemed fastened with an iron hand to the marble pavement and I trembled in every limb as a guilty culprit, though he was calm. For some time I stood admiring this estraordinary man. There was nothing in him that was repelling, nor in his character, yet I felt awed in his presence. I told him that there was a magnetic simplicity about him and his personality that elevated him far above the philosophers and teachers of his day. Now, Noble Sovereign, these are the facts concerning Jeses of Nazareth and I have taken the time to write you in detail concerning these matter. I say that such a man who could convert water into wine, change death into life, disease into health, calm the stormy seas, is not guilty of any criminal offense and as others have said, we must agree--truly the is the Son of God! Your most obedient servant, Pontius Pilate

-- Linda (hesscat@cot.net), March 28, 2001.

This letter is either a hoax or the historians have it wrong when they say there is no actual historical evidence from this time in history of his existance.

-- Lynn Goltz (lynngoltz@aol.com), March 28, 2001.

Ken did you watch the special on a&e awhile ago? i think you posted about it but there was no responses. very very interesting.

-- (digger1936@yahoo.com), March 29, 2001.

Digger:

I fell asleep about half way through it. Really didn't seem to be adding anything new.

I also think the letter is a hoax. One of those too good to be true things. Written by the guy who three years later ordered his death? There is a theory Jesus spent his missing years traveling and learning in the Far East. Another is Jesus did not die on the cross but was taken down before death due to the approaching Jewish Sabbath. Still alive he was spirited away by his supporters and was taken to what is now Kashmir. A traveler reported encountering someone very much like the Bibical Jesus there and even today there is a tomb there known as Jesus' Tomb.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), March 29, 2001.

Yes, obviously the letter is a hoax...I always thought it was commom knowledge that Jesus, being a Mid-eastern, was dark skinned w/dark hair. The blonde haired, blue eyed Jesus that Tab Hunter and many portraits represent border on being racist as does the "black Jesus" thing. It is always easier to relate to a "God" if the God can be presented in your image....it takes faith and a God-like humbleness to see Jesus as the Son of God and nothing else...I also don't really care what his race was or what color his skin is or was.

-- JimR (jroberts1@cas.org), March 29, 2001.

Isaiah 53 says that he was not physically attractive. What disturbs me is when people completely ignore the fact that he was Jewish, had a Jewish name, the cultural customs of the Jews, and observed the law perfectly in all it's aspects.

-- Rebekah (daniel@itss.net), March 31, 2001.

I think it is very interesting to think and speculate and listen to theories about what Jesus' human body may have looked like while He was on earth. But since He came as Saviour of the world - Jews and Gentiles alike - black and white - I can't imagine that He would be disturbed by how He is portrayed physically as long as the portrayal is done with love and reverence. Do you think He would be offended if portrayed as handicapped in a picture made for a place where handicapped children would be? I don't think so. When Jesus gave us the task of telling others about Him (as He did in Matt 28: 19,20), I can't see where He told us to make sure and tell them that His earthly parents were Jews or to tell them He had golden hair or anything else physical. What we need to tell when we tell about Jesus is how wonderful a place He is preparing for us and how He loved us enough to lay down His life so we could live with Him forever. And regardless of how Hollywood likes to portray heaven folks, I just don't believe its gonna be some boring place with a few clouds. Why would the God who made earth and all the beautiful things in it as a temporary, imperfect dwelling place for His people make something like that for eternity? Nope, it is gonna be great and that is what people need to hear!! But I think documentaries and such about Him are great because even if I might not agree with them all - they might get someone to start thinking about Christ and seek Him as Saviour. And that sure makes them very worthwhile - as well as being interesting. Hope everyone has a great day!

-- Cynthia Speer (farmsteader@gvtel.com), April 04, 2001.

One of the primary reasons for the Genaology of Yashua was to KNOW his parents (and GG)!! HIS lineage is extremly important... Who he came to 'save' (redeem) is as well.. I simply do not understand why everyone wants to 'make excuses' for YAHWAH and YASHUA!!! Let their word stand!!!

-- TJ (adam_kind@yahoo.com), July 16, 2001.

I think Jesus looks more like Neo in The Matrix.

-- trinity-ish (trinity@rdbase.com), April 09, 2002.

How he looked.....something else to argue about. Methinks it misses the point.

-- jz (oz49us@yahoo.com), April 11, 2002.