Visual representations of the divine are never neutral; they carry immense political and social weight.
The rise of mass media and Hollywood cemented the image of a blue-eyed, Nordic Jesus (most notably through Warner Sallman’s Head of Christ ), making whiteness the theological "default." The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Sag...
If you'd like to dive deeper into a specific era or figure mentioned in the book: influence on the "Standard Jesus" Black Nationalist reinterpretations of Christ The role of Hollywood in shaping religious visuals Visual representations of the divine are never neutral;
The "color" of Christ changes based on who holds power and the specific needs of the cultural moment. The Color of Christ: The Son of God and the Sag...
The authors argue that the "whiteness" of Jesus in America was not accidental but a deliberate cultural construction. This visual evolution served to reinforce social hierarchies, justify slavery, and bolster national identity across different eras. 📜 Key Historical Themes