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While people can be grateful that Jesus has again become a topic for popular culture, it really is important that we examine Jesus by his claims and his effect on culture.A comprehensive search would not have reduced Jesus—as Crossan does so pitifully—to a politico who merely troubled some Jewish leaders and a Roman governor. Surely he did shake the establishment, identify with people on the fringe, and disturb the leaders in ways they understood as political. A real search for Jesus finds that his challenge was far more comprehensive and profound than the flat shadow of Jesus presented in this network special.Search for Jesus did recognize and close with the miracle of Christianity's eventual emergence. The faith's survival was rooted, however, in far more than a perception or possibility of resurrection. Jesus' impact was grounded in a life and ministry, as well as a vindication that calls on every person to take him seriously as one sent from God. This central element was uncharted territory in Peter Jennings' one-dimensional search.

Darrell Bock (DBockDTS@aol.com) is research professor of New Testament studies and professor of spiritual development and culture at Dallas Theological Seminary.

In last week's interview with Jennings about the special, we included links to several other commentators and reviewers.Earlier Christianity Today articles by Darrell Bock include: " For Us—and Creation | The gospel is about far more than heaven" (Feb. 11, 2000) and " Jesus v. Sanhedrin | Why Jesus 'lost' his trial" (Apr. 6, 1998).

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July (Web-only) 2000, Vol. 44