Joseph C. Miller Memorial Lecture by Juan Lewis
In this lecture I will analyse whether Jesus of Nazareth, his family, and close friends and disciples were slave owners. Most scholars now agree that the emergence and expansion of Christianity did not mean a substantial improvement in the condition of slaves, even if the accommodation of the early Christian churches with the institution of slavery itself is often seen as a contradiction, a dilemma, or a paradox.
The emphasis in scholarship, however, is always on Jesus’ followers, rather than on the man himself. In order to reveal whether Jesus may have owned slaves, I will first try to identify which historical Jesus I am talking about. I will then move to whether we can pin down Jesus’ views on slavery from his teachings and parables. Finally, I will discuss Jesus’ social and economic standing and his relationship with real slaves
and servants.
The emphasis in scholarship, however, is always on Jesus’ followers, rather than on the man himself. In order to reveal whether Jesus may have owned slaves, I will first try to identify which historical Jesus I am talking about. I will then move to whether we can pin down Jesus’ views on slavery from his teachings and parables. Finally, I will discuss Jesus’ social and economic standing and his relationship with real slaves
and servants.
Time
Monday, 25.04.22 - 04:15 PM
- 06:00 PM
Event format
Lecture series
Topic
Jesus the slave owner and its implications for the history of Christianity and slavery
Target groups
Students
Researchers
Languages
English
Location
Online via zoom
Reservation
not required
Additional Information
Organizer
BCDSS
Contact