>>1724I think part of the idea is that while Jesus came from the middle east, it is the West which popularized the faith, for better or worse, and so his image is (appropriately, in my opinion) generally envisioned as western, but is specifically depicted as local nationality would dictate, so that it's a little easier for each culture to tie itself into the teachings. That said, it is definitely the Biblical ideas that inspired western civilization, but that's another conversation.
