Jimbo “Titanic” Cameron has executive-produced a new documentary for the Discovery Channel that archaeologist Amos Kloner says is “a beautiful story, but without any proof whatsoever” which will probably make for “profitable television“.
What is perhaps most distressing, however, is the abject ignorance and heresy that the news media is passing off as “Christian” in their coverage of Cameron’s news conference.
James Tabor, a professor of religious studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, said that while literal interpreters of the Bible say Jesus’ physical body rose from the dead, “one might affirm resurrection in a more spiritual way in which the husk of the body is left behind.”
Nothing in the film or book directly challenges traditional Christian dogma regarding the resurrection. But it could pose a problem for those who believe the ascension of Jesus, 40 days after the resurrection, was both physical and spiritual. And, if further DNA testing were to link Jesus and ‘his brother’ Yose with Mary, it would call into question the entire doctrine of the virgin birth — a foundation stone of Christianity. (Globe and Mail)
Ballocks. This is the same liberal drivel that has spent almost two centuries trying to empty Christianity of all content and authority by first emptying the texts of their literal historical meaning and the directly historic requirements of its doctrines (1 Cor 15). If Jesus did was not raised from the dead and did not then ascend to the right hand of the Father, then Christianity is done, and anyone who would say otherwise is suffering from delusions of being able to replace Jesus as as the ultimate arbiter of truth and salvation.
Cameron is quick to hype but slow to take any responsibility for the actual content of his film…
Cameron said his critics should withhold comment until they see his film. “I’m not a theologist. I’m not an archaeologist. I’m a documentary film maker,” he said. (ajc.com)
If this work is in any way credible, Cameron should refrain from telling his critics to refrain from comment, and instead should direct them to articles published in peer-reviewed journals which substantiate the transparently sensationalist claims he is making. (He should also learn the word “theologian” if he’s going to do any serious work in this space.)
A few people with sense do get quoted, but only selectively by a few newspapers…
Mr Mevorah called the statistical analysis “a good trick.” While the collection of names might seem compelling, he said the names were popular at the time and that another ossuary with the inscription “Jesus, son of Joseph” is on display in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as part of a travelling exhibition of early Christian artifacts. “Statistics can bring empires down or build them up,” he said. “But I wouldn’t build a theory of the most important person of the first century on statistics.” (The Australian)
William Dever, an expert on near eastern archeology and anthropology, who has worked with Israeli archeologists for five decades, said specialists have known about the ossuaries for years. “The fact that it’s been ignored tells you something,” said Dever, professor emeritus at the University of Arizona. “It would be amusing if it didn’t mislead so many people.” (Canada.com)
I’m not sure what I dread more… condescending know-half-of-nothing remarks from the atheists and skeptics or the inevitable surge of half-baked apologetics and sermon themes that this will produce.
Aren’t I chipper today?
More bloggy goodness…
