A question for jw knowabouts - oldest archaelogical evidence ?

by A Paduan 3 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

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  A Paduan

  Saw this on another thread

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  *** w54 8/15 511 Questions from Readers ***

  The traditional picture of Jesus shows him with long hair and beard, but the Watch Tower publications illustrate him as beardless and with short hair. Which is correct?—M. H., United States. The later Watch Tower publications show Jesus as beardless and with short hair because he is shown that way in representations of him that are older than the traditional effeminate-looking picture. (...)Since the Bible does not describe Jesus’ facial appearance or indicate he had a beard of length, we follow the oldest archaeological evidence rather than the later traditional view that makes Jesus appear effeminate and sallow and sanctimonious.

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  So what's the oldest archaelogical evidence ?

  And what do jws say about these sayings - No razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from birth
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  robhic

  The physical appearance of Jesus is somewhat hard to know and even more difficult to prove. I've always pictured him as the long-haired and bearded guy generally accepted. As for the WT assertion that the clean-shaven, short-haired JC predated the bearded one ... well duh!

  In representations of Jesus that predate the bearded ones, he's younger so he wouldn't have a beard. I'm sure if they wanted to be really technical about it, Jesus wouldn't have pubic hair in earlier pictures either! And the quote about "no razor on his head" puts things in perspective, also.

  Whether real or not, the Shroud of Turin pictures Jesus as a bearded "effeminate" guy. Even if the shroud is a forgery or whatever, it was done a whole lot closer to the time when Jesus was supposed to have lived so I'd figure that is an accurate representation, regardless.

  Just my thought,

  Robert
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  peacefulpete

  According to illustrastions in the book,"Roots of Christianity" the early representations of Jesus do depict him as beardless. Mind you this is from the 4-5th century. The probable influences are far eastern. Krisna was effeminate and wore no beard. The middle ages artwork returned to this style of representation.
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  badolputtytat

  I checked the directory... There was a barber shop at the corner of Jerusalem St. and Main. Of course with all his travels on foot....he could only get in to see the barber once a month.

  As for the beard, he carried a Norelco shaver in his shirt pocket.

  I know, this is an absurd suggestion. Ya think? But I have never been able to get a straigt answer to this either.