Hmm, I think one must trust the unfolding of history. If each can make their own Jesus then he is meaningless. Institutions are the reason we know his name and not the others. Nevertheless as far as seeing Jesus take a look at the Shroud of Turin, and the modern science on it; the carbon dating of 1988 has been thrown out as bunk.
There are many relationships to Jesus one can have, it's not necessary to uncritically swallow the whole enchilada. I see him as the Son of God, but I also see him as flawed, which is something he himself said (Why do you call me good?). That may be a bridge too far for Christians, but hey, I don't think it's necessary to be Christian to be saved.
You are 100% right that traditional religious imagery presents a pretty curated and partial picture of the Jesus in the actual Bible.
Hmm, I think one must trust the unfolding of history. If each can make their own Jesus then he is meaningless. Institutions are the reason we know his name and not the others. Nevertheless as far as seeing Jesus take a look at the Shroud of Turin, and the modern science on it; the carbon dating of 1988 has been thrown out as bunk.
There are many relationships to Jesus one can have, it's not necessary to uncritically swallow the whole enchilada. I see him as the Son of God, but I also see him as flawed, which is something he himself said (Why do you call me good?). That may be a bridge too far for Christians, but hey, I don't think it's necessary to be Christian to be saved.