The lost tomb of Jesus (Holy Saturday)
I know, I was thinking the exact same thing. Why even bother writing about The Lost Tomb of Jesus?
For those of you who for some miraculous reason haven’t heard anything about it, this is a documentary put on the Discovery Channel, from executive producer James Cameron (known for writing and directing Terminator, and producing Titanic, among many others) and produced by Simcha Jacobovici (both Canadians, actually). The documentary claims that archaeologists have at last found the tomb of Jesus (and his family), and that – *gasp* – Jesus’ body is still there!
Well, don’t get too excited. It turns out that this tomb was discovered in 1980 (remember that historic even? You don’t??). The BBC even did a documentary on it several years ago. An old story has been repackaged one more time just in time for the Easter season.
Let’s just say that the "Titanic" jokes are going strong in the media. The documentary is full of holes. Archaeologists and scholars from all over the world are pointing this out. The much embarrassed Discovery Channel quietly pulled the planned multiple reruns, so you won’t be catching the show this weekend.
You can dig around for more information on the tomb, I won’t go into the details here. But here are a few articles that might get you started:
- Scholar: ‘Jesus Tomb’ documentary got it wrong
- Ten Reasons Why The Jesus Tomb Claim is Bogus
- Has the tomb of Jesus been found?
- THE JESUS TOMB? ‘TITANIC’ TALPIOT TOMB THEORY SUNK FROM THE START
- FROM TORONTO TO EMMAUS The Empty Tomb and the Journey from Skepticism to Faith (paperback available at amazon.com)
These are some of the reasons I didn’t even bother to write about this at the time. However, I decided to make it a part of my weekend series, because there are actually a couple of things that bother me about this whole situation. They’re really bigger issues; not just about this documentary. But this is a great example.
1. Is anyone actually buying this?
I was talking to someone when this came out (I forget who), and they made the comment that this documentary wouldn’t probably be a big issue with the general public, perhaps only with a few university students. The point being that most people don’t care so much about all this scholarly talk about history and diggings in the Middle East.
My first reaction was that I wouldn’t worry about Christians (because surely they wouldn’t buy this), or university students (because surely they’d know enough to realize that the claims in the documentary were ridiculous. Perhaps I was a little naive to think that…), but that I would worry more about the general public.
It goes back to the old saying that if you repeat something enough it becomes true. True, most people aren’t going to care about the scholarly research – but that’s just the point. They’ll hear a little about it, see the documentary, and assume that there must be some truth in it. Most people will never check it out further.
Someday, when they are confronted with the claims of Christianity, they’ll assume it can’t be true. No discussion. That’s just the way people think.
Hey, that’s even the way I think. If there’s a minor topic that I don’t care much about, I’ll hear a little about it and never bother to check it out more if it sounds wrong or doesn’t interest me. And that’s the way it is with Christianity for a lot of people.
And, in fact, the book that the documentary is based on is actually selling. Lots. So as the media keeps talking about cover ups and plots and codes and tombs, many people will just get the impression that the Bible is just full of false information, and they’ll never bother to investigate. The answer? A lot of prayer, and a lot of time, and a lot of relationships with these people who otherwise will never understand who Jesus really was.
2. Would it matter if Jesus’ bones were found?
The big shocker was that many "Christians" were saying that it really wouldn’t matter to their faith if Jesus’ bones really were found. After all, Christianity is really about loving your neighbour, and no bones in a box are going to change the good things Jesus taught.
Now, Jesus bones are not going to be found. If bones from a first century rabbi were found, we would really have no way to prove beyond a doubt whose they were.
But guess what? Jesus didn’t just teach love. He taught that He Himself was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He taught that He would rise again. His disciples based their faith not on Jesus’ teachings, but on Jesus Himself. Their foundation was a real, physical resurrection. Many were tortured, imprisoned and martyred because they believed that the tomb was empty. The apostle Paul wrote that if there was no such thing as a resurrection, the Faith was futile. Our lives were hopeless – we’re still in our sins.
Something strange happened 2000 years ago. The disciples were surprised by it. The authorities couldn’t deny it. Thousands were soon transformed by it. People gave their lives for it. Hundreds of people witnessed a man alive who everyone had seen publicly executed. Jesus proved that He was trustworthy, that He was more powerful than death and sin, and that He had the ability to save us from both. He was dead in the tomb. But not anymore.
The Garden Tomb, where some believe Jesus was buried.
Photo courtesy of calebdzahnd.
7 April 2007 @ 9:25 am
responding to what you said about most christians saying so what if the so called bones were supposidly found. this I believe is a sad commentary on the doctrinal understanding, knowledge, and potential authentic salvation of many professing believers. Paul wrote that our hope lies in the ressurection of Christ and that if Christ is not raised we are still dead in our sins, pretty scary huh.
7 April 2007 @ 9:35 am
Professor Jodi Magness, UNC Chapel Hill, belongs in the dark ages. Her comment about “The public is presented with information that they can’t really evaluate” insults everyone.
Objectivity is the cornerstone of truth and if she thinks we are are all beneath her in our ability to uncover information and evaluate it objectively he should not be teaching.
7 April 2007 @ 11:13 am
The Bible tells of a bodily ressurection,because of Jesus’s disciple Thomas not believing at first. Jesus then told him to stick his hand in the nail hboles,and in his side where he was struck by the Roman spear. Thats when Thomas called him My Lord! My God!
7 April 2007 @ 11:22 am
Unfortunately, after attending the most magnificent Good Friday Burial Service of Jesus Christ I returnded home and viewed two ridiculous stories that you mention by James Cameron. Mary of Magdala who was Jesus’s wife, closest Apostle, and she not Peter the Head of the Church. The Lost Tomb of Jesus excavated under another city. So yes, for those of strong faith can assemble these documentaries as fiction but for those of little faith I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide them.
7 April 2007 @ 2:11 pm
Richard Dawkins had it right: “Let’s stop being so respectful!”
Our country may have the reputation of being very “religious”, but we’ve carried the concept of “respect” too far: honest attempts to find out the truth have been blasted away by people hiding behind religion (and certainly the Bible) without any knowledge about the subject. Biblical and textual illiteracy are rampant. 98% of “Christians” couldn’t tell you a thing about St. Augustine (father of The Church and the alleged inventor of “Original Sin”). Of course, it’s the duty of clergy and Christian leaders to keep people as ignorant as possible thereby having a means of control over their “flocks”.
What do I believe? I believe in God and I believe in humanity. I believe in Karen Armstrong, Bart Ehrman, John Boswell, Morton Smith, James Tabor and Elaine Pagels. I don’t believe in the black mark of original sin so that Christians can say “we’re ALL sinners.” I don’t believe in today’s Elmer Gantrys nor do I believe in today’s Elmer Fudds.
And I don’t believe in insulting God by bringing Him down to the level of “properity theology” and bumper stickers.
Scholars should be heard. But Christianity refuses to listen and demands only “respect.”
7 April 2007 @ 2:12 pm
Check the spelling of the name!!!
The spelling of the one found in the tomb is Yeshua. This is the common name spelling.
Yahvah’s Son’s Name is spelled Yahshua. Meaning Yahvah’s Salvation.
Yah = Yahvah Shua = Salvation.
7 April 2007 @ 3:55 pm
Excellent point, Joe. Obviously the writers of the Gospels were convinced that His body was no longer in the tomb (and that that was important!)!
7 April 2007 @ 3:58 pm
Larry – you’re right. It is scary that it wouldn’t be an issue to some who call themselves believers. But without the resurrection, I really don’t see a good reason for Christianity to exist. Just put a few quotes from Jesus in your lexicon and move on. Without the resurrection, He lied about who He was and failed in His mission.
But, in truth, He didn’t lie, and didn’t fail.
7 April 2007 @ 4:02 pm
Gloria mentions a couple specific points from the documentary. First, the idea that Mary Magdalene was the foremost apostle and wife of Jesus, a “fact” that no one in the first century really seemed aware of.
And why was Jesus’ family, from Nazareth, buried in Jerusalem? Jesus was only visiting when He was arrested and crucified. It’s odd that everyone in the first century believed Him to be a poor carpenter’s son from Nazareth with no wife, and suddenly He’s buried in a middle class tomb in another city with a “wife”.
I don’t think so.
7 April 2007 @ 4:37 pm
Dan V:
You’ve said a lot there! Let’s take it bit by bit…
Regarding the comment by Richard Dawkins, I certainly agree – there are times when things are so important that getting the truth across becomes more important than just being “polite”.
If “Christianity” (or, as you probably would say, certain Christians) just demands “respect” – meaning “don’t ever disagree with anything we say”, then we have a big problem. Hearing other points of view is important if we’re going to truly understand our own views, the truth, and other people.
Hiding behind religion without really knowing what it’s all about is a common problem. You didn’t mention what country you’re from, but most countries are “religious”, and have people who say they believe something without understanding it or even caring.
So far so good.
I also have to agree that it seems religion becomes “bumper stickers” and cute touchy-feely sayings to a lot of people. Perhaps we sometimes forget how what you believe drastically MUST transform your life.
Finally, you mention a number of authors and scholars with their own views of God, and the fact that you don’t believe we’re all sinners.
Of course, I wrote about sin yesterday. The Bible is clear that everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23 is the obvious example).
So I guess the question is, if you believe in God, which God? Why? The God of these particular authors? Why them? Why are they right and not someone else?
I believe in a God that has shown Himself – in the Bible, and in Jesus. I can’t pick and choose what I believe about God – He’s made some things very clear.
So on what basis do you say we’re not sinners? Not on the basis of the Bible, of course. On what basis do you accept these particular authors? That’s the heart of the matter. We have to go back a step to questions like, how can we know truth? What evidence should we accept?
I agree with a lot of what you say. But on what basis do you say it?
7 April 2007 @ 4:50 pm
Mark –
I don’t know a lot about the issues surrounding the names on the ossuary (I assume that’s what you refer to). I do know that the name supposedly “Jesus son of Joseph” is very hard to make out.
Here’s an article specifically about the name of Jesus. The point is that it’s an uncertain reading.
There has also been even more controversy about the supposed part of Mary Magdalene in all this. Dr Stephen J. Pfann has been quoted on this one a lot.
Thanks for your comment!
17 April 2007 @ 5:54 am
In reply to T. Scott’s comment about Professor Jodi Magness…
I think Magness was talking about how people get a lot of information in a technical field without getting the background they need to understand if it’s valid information.
I see T. Scott’s point – if we put our minds to it, we’re able to dig and find the other side of the story.
The problem is, who bothers? If there’s no reason to doubt the first story, why dig further? And I think that may be Professor Magness’ point – we can’t evaluate the information without digging further – we’re just given one shallow side of the story.