Church fathers argued more about meaning than measurements.
- Isaiah vs. Psalms: Some texts emphasize humility and “no beauty,” others “fairest among men.” The tension is theological, not anatomical.
- Augustine’s caution: however you picture Christ, faith does not rest on a face.
- Cyril of Jerusalem’s poetry: Christ appears as what each soul needs—vine, door, shepherd—identity through function, not features.
The early rule of thumb: likeness is about the life, not the lines.
So What Is the Lentulus Letter, Really?
- It crystallizes how medieval-to-Renaissance Europe imagined Jesus.
- It gave readers a “report” that felt official, anchoring art in pseudo-history.
- It persists because it satisfies a deep desire: to see who we revere.
Think of it as cultural testimony, not courtroom evidence.
