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Brigham Young University law professor John Welch will speak Thursday on the latest scholarship regarding the foundation of Easter: the arrest, trial and execution of Jesus of Nazareth.
Welch will speak at 7 p.m. at the Church History Museum Theater, 45 N. West Temple St. The event is free.
Along with exploring perennial questions about who is to blame for Jesus' death and why he was killed, Welch will address newer, scholarly questions — including what, if anything, the scriptural account of the raising of Lazarus from the dead had to do with the arrest of Jesus.
Welch says "many paradigms have shifted in New Testament studies" since Mormon apostle James E. Talmage published his landmark volume, "Jesus the Christ," more than a century ago, a news release reports. Thus, Welch has titled his presentation "The Trial of Jesus: From Talmage to Today."
In a previous article, the release states, Welch emphasizes that "Jesus was not a victim. His death was supposed to happen. It had to happen."
"We can never study the life of the savior too much," museum director Alan Johnson adds, "and this event is aimed at encouraging all who attend to ponder on his life and the sacrifice that he made for each of us."
Bob Mims