Peter Laarman

The 25th anniversary of the Jesus Seminar is a good time to ask if it makes a difference when the Jesus of history turns out to be considerably more interesting than the myth-encrusted Christ created by the church over the centuries.

Not long ago I helped lead a graduate seminar in leadership in which I challenged the old idea of the heroic leader and messianic deliverer; an idea that has deep roots in all three Abrahamic faith traditions. Not one person in that seminar room—not even the white males who were present—had anything good thing to say about the old model. Everyone agreed that we can do better by listening to each other, trusting each other, and finding new paths together.

Goodbye flasks in hidden pockets and hello little energy drinks. Have we come a long way, baby?