Speaker Stephen Prothero urges students to challenge, question their views of Jesus

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Boston University Religion Professor Stephen Prothero said the American view of Jesus changes as society does.

“In other countries, Jesus may be the same yesterday, today and forever as said in the Bible, but in American eyes he changes,” Prothero said.

Prothero, who has appeared on The Daily Show, Colbert Report and the Oprah Winfrey Show, spoke Tuesday night at the Bovee University Center Auditorium. About 70 people attended the lecture titled, “Who is Jesus, Really?” sponsored by the department of philosophy and religion. Prothero spoke about Jesus’ role in American society.

Prothero, raised a Christian, took time in his adulthood to explore new religions and found himself running into Jesus regardless of what religion he researched.

“It’s a little bit odd for me to talk about Jesus so frequently now because I spent the entire first half of my academic career running from him,” Prothero said.

After realizing Jesus was somehow acknowledged in most religions, Prothero focused his efforts on the changing image of Jesus in American society rather than attempting to escape Jesus’ presence altogether.

Using a Powerpoint presentation, Prothero showed photographic examples of Jesus in the 1920s as a chiseled carpenter, a 1960s portrayal of Jesus clad in ‘hippie attire’ and a 2010 depiction of Jesus as a boxer protecting America from terrorists.

“Jesus follows national conversation as opposed to leading it,” Prothero said. “He’s definitely manipulated by us.”

Through his research, Prothero discovered Jesus remains portrayed in a relatively positive light, despite the presence of dozens of religions in America.

“America is definitely a Jesus nation. It’s a nation where everyone shares a respect and general like for the guy,” Prothero said.

Maniestee junior Laura Dionne said she found the idea of Jesus’ image manipulation interesting.

“Now that I realize it happens, I see it all the time,” Dionne said. “People question Jesus’ gender all the time, and that never would have happened a few decades ago. It’s more acceptable this day in age, because gender is an issue we deal with daily.”

Prothero suggested part of Jesus’ popularity is largely due to the mailability of his appearance.

“It’s interesting how Jesus is a figure for everybody. However you want him to be, he can be,” said Rockford sophomore Chris Willis. “That makes it easy for everybody to relate to him.”

Prothero said he hopes students came to challenge their views of Jesus.

“I hope they questioned whether their opinions of Jesus came from The Bible, their parents or their own imaginations,” Prothero said. “That’s a really important lesson to learn, and the sooner, the better.”