Is There Still Life in Those Old Bones, and Should We Care? A discussion on the study of the historical Jesus

Has the name “Jesus” become a polarizing word?  What does it mean that the annual seminar of the Guild for Psychological Studies has become of little interest, not only to potential new participants, but to some of the Guild leaders as well?
For many years the study of the life and teachings of Jesus, as found in the synoptic gospels, has been a central focus of the Guild in its Basic Records seminar.  Drawing upon an historical and literary critical approach, as pioneered by Henry Burton Sharman, seminar participants have been encouraged to distinguish the earliest reports of Jesus found in the texts from later Christian additions or explanations. Elizabeth Howes then added Carl Jung’s insights about the reality and nature of the unconscious to the study of the texts.  The result has been a rich, challenging, life-changing combination. And the study has continued since to evolve.
Eleanor Norris will give us an overview of the historical development of the study of the historical Jesus, via Sharman, Jung, and Howes, which has been the focus of her PhD dissertation at the Pacifica Graduate Institute. Hal Childs and Patricia Calcagno Stenger, recent leaders of Basic Records, will then discuss new ways in which the study is now developing.

A recording of the proceedings will be available. Details will be provided later.

For more information, contact Hal Childs at halchilds@earthlink.net or 415-573-2469.