The Jesus Discovery - "has ZERO percent chance of being true"

It’s a regular event. About this time of year a new book or film appears making outrageous claims about Jesus or his associates. They’ve just discovered Jesus’ coffin or Mary’s bones or Judas’ betrayal money, or something equally radical. Skeptics ask—is this yet another scheme for selling books, videos & DVDs? A few days ago a book & film were launched to much fanfare. It’s called The Jesus Discovery. It claims a “major discovery” for the “first time” of “firm, reliable archaeological evidence directly connected to Jesus himself.” Here’s a review.—Nigel Tomes

By Daniel Distant, Christian Post, Feb. 29, 2012

In the "Jesus Discovery," archaeologist & professor James Tabor & documentary film-maker Simcha Jacobovici, claim to have found the tomb of Jesus & his family in Jerusalem in 2010.

However, many remained skeptical. Now, Tabor’s persistence has unveiled yet another nearby tomb that is causing renewed debate & controversy.

The new tomb – about 200 feet from the [so-called] "Jesus Family Tomb" – is marked with the first Christian symbol, the cross. It also has markings allegedly saying "Divine Jehovah, raise up, raise up" and a drawing of a fish with a stick.

“There's zero percent chance that their theory is correct"

"In my assessment, there's zero percent chance that their theory is correct," Andrew Vaughn, executive director of the American Schools of Oriental Research, said of the findings. For him, the 2^nd tomb doesn’t strengthen the case that the first one is authentic.

The original "Jesus Discovery," book is based on a 1980 finding of 10 small caskets – “ossuaries” [bone boxes] – allegedly containing the bones of Jesus Christ & his family. One of the casket's inscriptions reads "Judah, son of Jesus," which the writers radically claim indicates Jesus started a family.

Radical Assertions contradict the Bible

These radical assertions contradict many things Christians believe. The Bible says & Christians believe--that Jesus Christ rose from the dead & ascended to heaven, leaving no human remains or bones behind. [“Ossuaries” are small caskets—bone boxes-- for bones which were re-buried a year or so after death. Yet Scripture says Jesus rose on the third day, leaving nothing to be re-buried!] Plus, no scripture ever mentions Jesus marrying or having children during his 30 plus years on earth.

“Many experts agree…the controversial findings are false”

Many experts agree with the Christian viewpoint that the controversial findings are false, not only for faith's sake, but to prevent archaeological & scientific misuse as well.

“Yet another book that misuses…the Bible & archaeology"

"Nothing in the book 'revolutionizes our understanding of Jesus or early Christianity,' as the authors & publisher claim," says Duke University biblical scholar Eric Meyers. "We may regard this book as yet another in a long list of presentations that misuse not only the Bible but also archaeology."

“Archaeology Hijacked”

"It pains me to see archaeology hijacked in the service of non-scientific interests," agreed Jodi Magness, a religious studies professor at the U. of N. Carolina.

“Fabricating…meanings…for publicity, fame, & book sales”

Some experts accuse Tabor & Jacobovici of fabricating the meanings of an otherwise unimportant historical find for publicity, fame, & book sales. Their book was released Tuesday.

"It's an ordinary middle-class Jerusalem burial cave," said Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site over 30 years ago. "The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at that time."

"They just want to get money”

A 1996 BBC documentary on the same subject led Kloner to conclude: "They just want to get money for it."

More doubt has been cast on the research, especially when the artifacts, markings, & inscriptions being discussed have never been viewed by the naked eye; Jacobovici used a robotic arm equipped with a camera to gain access to the tomb without disturbing it completely.

"The current claim is based on finds that have no context, as they have not been excavated. All we have are photos taken by a robotic arm of objects (or parts of objects), the dates & identification of which are unknown or unclear," wrote Jodi Magness.

"Dramatic claims require dramatic evidence"

Christopher Rollston, an expert in Semitic epigraphy at Emmanuel Christian Seminary (TN), said he & others will remain unconvinced because of a lack of evidence.

"Dramatic claims require dramatic evidence," Rollston wrote. "The claims of Tabor & Jacobovici for this tomb are no more convincing now than they were then."

Edited from Daniel Distant, Christian Post, Feb. 29, 2012