Day 24. October 27, 2006
Movement 2. Solus Jesus
Lecture 11. Jesus in Victorian America (Part 2)
Victorian America produced many new faces of Jesus. One portrayal, Christian Science, emerged from 'Mind Cure' or 'New Thought' ideas, notions today linked with the 'Power of Positive Thinking.' The writings of Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy revealed that disease is the result of the mind thinking incorrectly and that Jesus Christ, Scientist was the first man to recognize the divine healing power in all people called "The Christ." Eddy's writings sought to teach the mind to think positively. In this period also the domestic sphere took on new public importance as a complement to and the salvation of the commercial work place. Both at home and at work a new mass consumer, mass producer society was emerging. The modern iconic vision of Jesus advanced through new pictorial narratives told in stereopticon cards and Chautauqua vacations catering to a rising leisure class. Novels gained new legitimacy as a vehicle for portraying and marketing Jesus, particularly with the publication in 1880 of Ben Hur.