How did a singular event more than 2,000 years old come to shape much of Western Civilization as we know it?

The questions is central to a lecture series starting today at Middlebury College called "Engaging Passions: The Death of Jesus and its legacies."

Over the course of 3 days, the story of Jesus' death will be examined through art, literature, drama, music and film with a wide variety of speakers bringing their own passions and expertise to the forefront.

VPR's Mitch Wertlieb spoke recently with two of them. Larry Yarbrough is a professor of Religion at Middlebury and scholar of the New Testament. And Elizabeth Cook is an author and composer who collaborated with Francis Grier on the libretto for a new interpretation of "The Passion of Jesus of Nazareth."

Professor Yarbrough says the series is much more than a retelling of history:

Click listen to hear the interview.