The History of Jesus

World renowned scholar speaks to ULM Students on the life of Jesus.

2009 September 29
By Kederick Wilson

On September 24, 2009, Géza Vermes, author of Jesus the Jew and one of the first scholars to examine the Dead Sea Scrolls, spoke at the University of Louisiana-Monroe to graduate history students. In his lecture to students, Vermes talked about the history of Jesus Christ. Vermes tried to explain how people should learn to understand the differences between the Gospel image of Jesus and scientific details.
Also, Vermes talked about the current state the Dead Sea Scrolls were in as well as where the scrolls were found. Vermes’ visit to ULM was made possible by Linda Noe Laine, former Gov. James Noe daughter. Before the beginning of the lecture, Géza Vermes was given the key to the city of Monroe by Jimmie Bryant, Chief of the Monroe Fire Department; on behave of Mayor Jamie Mayo. Then State Director, Jonathan Johnson, presented Vermes with a plaque in recognition and congressional proclamation for his amazing historical contributions.

The Life of Jesus

Geza Vermes in front of graduate history students at ULM gave his interpretation of Jesus’ history. The author of Jesus the Jew explained some historical and scientific detail of Jesus’ life in his lecture. “…assembly of a monumental jigsaw, puzzle upon which parts are still missing,” said Vermes when describing Jesus’ life. Vermes wanted people to understand the difference between Jesus the Gospel image and historical research. Vermes caught the audience off guard when he said, “Jesus never actually claimed to be the Messiah” during his lecture. Vermes further explained that when Jesus was asked if he were the Messiah, he would denounce it.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of 900 historical writings found in 1947 and 1956 in 11 caves under sea level in Pakistan. The Dead Sea Scrolls provided brand new material of writings with similar scriptures to the Hebrew Bible. “I like to refer to the scrolls as my first academic love affair, which in a way has continued throughout,” Vermes said during the lecture. Since being removed for the caves the Dead Sea Scrolls have deteriorated substantially despite the help of 21st century technology leading Vermes to say, “They were in better shape back then, than they are now.”