John Nelson

John Nelson, a New Testament scholar and author of 'Behind the Gospels', dives into the history and misconceptions surrounding the Christmas story. He challenges the idea that Jesus was born on December 25 and explores the historical accuracy of the birth narratives. Nelson discusses the virgin birth and why it mattered in ancient times, alongside intriguing theories about the Magi and the infamous star of Bethlehem. He even tackles the roots of Christmas trees and their ties to pagan traditions, making biblical scholarship accessible and engaging.

John Nelson, a New Testament scholar and author, dives into the intriguing absence of Jesus' physical description in the Gospels. He explores ancient biography norms and the unexpected silence surrounding Jesus' appearance, challenging notions of average looks. Nelson discusses cultural biases, critiques common interpretations, and examines the implications of Jewish traditions on such depictions. He also shares fascinating insights on Jesus' attire and compares him to itinerant philosophers, leaving listeners pondering what it might have been like to see Jesus in person.

John Nelson, a PhD holder in Biblical Studies, discusses the lack of detailed physical descriptions of Jesus in the Gospels. The podcast explores the intentional absence of Jesus' physical description to emphasize his character and promote imitation. It also delves into diverse artistic renditions of Jesus and Mary and the symbolism of Jesus' clothing in the Gospels.