Confining himself to a Western framework prevents Pelikan from delivering any genuinely worthwhile analysis of the role of Jesus through the centuries. Instead, the book Jesus Through the Centuries becomes merely informative. In many ways the book tells readers what they already know but fills in some of the details. A scholastic work that is well-documented, Pelikan's work earns an encyclopedic role. Jesus through the Centuries is a scholastic work with well-documented source material. It will not, however, change a reader's perspective or point-of-view because it is not an effective critique on the meaning behind Jesus' role through the centuries. The subtitle of Jesus through the Centuries summarizes Pelikan's purpose: to explore Jesus' "place in the history of culture." Organized chronologically from the New Testament...

For example, the author emphasizes the political and economic impact of Jesus through the centuries while in others he more squarely examines the way Christian mysticism has influenced Western culture and history. Pelikan also addresses Western social norms and ideals that have been influenced by Jesus and Christianity. Although he does not offer pointed social criticism or a critique of Christianity, the author does invite readers to use his book as a starting point or as a reference for such an undertaking.
References

Pelikan, J. (1985). Jesus through the Centuries. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Stratton, R. (2000). Illustrated Jesus through the Centuries. Spiritual Life. Retrieved Mar 10, 2007…