Via Dolorosa - Research Paper Example

The physicality of this particular path and the unidirectional focus that Christ’s ministry had with regards to the very moment of undergoing the hardships leading up to and including crucifixion can be literally understood by journeying this physical path towards the atonement for sin. As such, it comes as little wonder why the Via Dolorosa has come to occupy such an important place in the hearts and minds of so many of the faithful around the globe. Firstly, though it might be tempting, the fact of the matter is that the Via Dolorosa did not exist in its current form until around the 18th century (Russell et al 784).

What is meant by this is the fact that the path that Christ supposedly tread prior to crucifixion on Pottery was one that has been up for debate I scholars and theologians for many years. Perhaps more importantly to those within the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, or Anglican faiths are what are known as the “stations of the cross” (Denomme 37). . 3 – Jesus falls for the first time, station 4 – Jesus meets his other, station 5 – Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus to carry the cross, station 6 – Veronica wipes the face of Jesus, station 7 – Jesus falls the second time, station 8 – Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem, station 9 – Jesus falls the third time, station 10 – Jesus’ clothes are taken away, station 11 – Jesus is nailed to the cross, station 12 – Jesus dies on the cross, station 13 – Jesus is taken down from the cross, station 14 – Jesus is laid in the tomb.

As with any form of research, whether Biblical or scientific, the Via Dolorosa has come to be more completely and effectively understood over the past several hundred years. As continued scientific and archeological discovery took place in the Holy Land, the centuries of changes that had affected the landscape and impacted upon the existence of certain types and directions of roads through the city of Jerusalem came to be understood in a more complete manner. As such, the mere existence of changes to the route of the Via Dolorosa does not in and of itself denote that the path itself is somehow contrived.

Rather, it has merely come to be understood in a more effective and complete manner as a result of the subsequent understanding of what roads and paths existed in what times (Kline 49). Moreover, due to the fact that Jerusalem has exhibited nearly continual residency by some people group or another over the nearly 3000+ years of its existence, it is not a precise or exact science to specify to any level of absolute certainty what existing and non-existing roads or paths can or should be included in the modern day interpretation of the Via Dolorosa.

However, that being said, the actual path itself, barring some almost certain