2 of 2

"Your statistics are only as good as the numbers that were given to the statistician," Witherington said. "And from what I can tell, he's not even running the right numbers, so of course he's not coming to the right conclusions."

If what Jacobovici says were true, Jesus' disciples would have stolen his body and buried it in a tomb, let it decompose for a year, and then deposited the bones in an ossuary. As McKnight put it, "It is extremely unlikely that a faith that believed and rooted itself in the resurrection of Jesus would at the same time be building a tomb for the body and bones of Jesus."

It's no surprise that Jacobovici and Cameron have received so much attention despite the implausibility of their claims, says Darrell Bock, professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. "They've basically made it into a huge news conference and leaked that they've found the bones of Jesus, and you know that would draw attention," he said.

While all of this hype may seem to cheapen Christianity, Burge says, it shows that Jesus Christ still commands the world's attention like no other religious figure. "Interest in Jesus doesn't go away. Whenever someone can make a claim that strikes to the heart of Christian truth, then it's sensational."

Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Ted Olsen's 'An Exclusive Interview with James Cameron' satirizes the methodology behind The Lost Tomb of Jesus.

The Discovery Channel's article is sympathetic to Jacobovici's conclusions about the Talpiot tomb. 'The Lost Tomb of Jesus' section includes video clips and a few paragraphs with suggestions for dealing with theological considerations.

The Jesus Family Tomb opening page says, "An incredible archaeological discovery in Israel changes history and shocks the world. Tombs with the names The Virgin Mary, Jesus of Nazareth, Mary Magdalene and Judas, their son, are found and an investigation begins."

Harper Collins has a webpage for the book, The Jesus Family Tomb.

Ben Witherington III, Darrell Bock (1 | 2), Scot McKnight, Paul Maier, Mark Goodacre, Tyler Williams, Michael S. Heiser, and most other biblical studies bloggers are discussing the tomb.

The Jerusalem Post interviewed Kloner and reported on the effects on Talpiot residents.

Other articles include:

Director defends Jesus tomb findings | James Cameron is convinced remains are of those of Christ, family (Today)

Claims about Jesus' 'lost tomb' stir up tempest | Experts blast suggestions that his bones were found in 1980 (Associated Press)

Crypt Held Bodies of Jesus and Family, Film Says | A documentary by the Discovery Channel claims to provide evidence that a crypt unearthed 27 years ago in Jerusalem contained the bones of Jesus of Nazareth. (The New York Times)

first page |  2 of 2

share this page

February (Web-only) 2007, Vol. 51