Who was the historical Jesus and how does he differ with the biblical portrayals of Jesus? Why should people look at research related to the historical Jesus? Who are the researchers looking at the historical Jesus? How did they get interested in this research topic?

These sources discuss the historical Jesus, exploring attempts to understand his life and teachings through critical historical methods, distinct from purely religious interpretations. They outline a progression of scholarly inquiry, often categorized into the Old Quest, New Quest, and Third Quest, each with different methodologies and focuses, including incorporating non-religious disciplines like feminism and archaeological findings. A key aspect is the ongoing debate regarding what historical facts can be reliably attributed to Jesus, contrasting accounts in the Synoptic Gospels and the Gospel of John, which present notable differences in narratives and portrayal. Ultimately, the sources highlight that the "historical Jesus" is a modern scholarly construct, distinct from the "real Jesus" experienced through faith, yet valuable for enriching understanding and grounding beliefs in a historical context.

Sources:

Do We Need a Fresh Quest for the Historical Jesus? - Paradigm Press

E. P. Sanders and the Historical Jesus - ANCIENT JEW REVIEW

Historical Jesus - Wikipedia

Historical Jesus Studies Today: An Update | Bible Interp

How different is the Biblical Jesus from the Historical Jesus. : r/AcademicBiblical - Reddit

How two scholars introduced me to the 'historical Jesus'—and sent me on a lifelong quest to know more | America Magazine

The Synoptic Gospels Compared to the Gospel of John - Bart Ehrman

Who was the historical Jesus? - Undeceptions

Why get to know the historical Jesus? - U.S. Catholic