The Lost Tomb of Jesus

In 1980 a construction crew in the Jerusalem chanced upon a first-century tomb containing ten ossuaries or bone boxes. Some of these were inscribed with names like Jesus, Maria, Mariamene, Matthew; Judas, son of Jesus; and Jose, names that were very common in first century name. James Cameron, who directed The Titanic, has produced the documentary "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" to air on the Discovery Channel that suggests that this represents the family tomb of Jesus. The ossuary discovered in Jerusalem contained the bones of Jesus, thus invalidating the Christian affirmation that “He is risen!”

The “proof” in this much-hyped film seems much more like debatable conjecture and supposition. The case largely revolves around the only uncommon name found on the bone boxes, that of Mariamene. It is suggested that some later Christians may have used that name for Mary Magdalene, and this links the more other common names. Cameron says, "If you found a John, a Paul and a George, you're not going to leap to any conclusions... unless you found a Ringo." Of course, there is no evidence that anyone called Mary Magdalene Mariamene at the time of her death. And there is no evidence that connects Mary Magdalene to the family of Jesus… unless you count The Da Vinci Code. DNA tests have supposedly confirmed that the remains in the “Jesus” and “Mariamene” ossuaries were not related on their mother's sides. Therefore, if this was a family tomb, and if the two aren’t related on their Father’s side, then the two "would most likely have been husband and wife."

The whole thing is made of smoke-and-mirror suppositions big enough to sink the Titanic. One scholar put it, “There were too many assumptions being claimed as discoveries, and that they were trying to connect dots that didn't belong together.” Amos Kloner was the first archeologist to examine the site, and he dismisses the whole proposition, "They just want to get money for it. It's a joke. It was an ordinary middleclass Jerusalem burial cave. The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time." But Cameron will do this with such movie magic that there will be many people who may be convinced.... especially those who want to be convinced.

If you want more information on the historical reliability of the sources on the life of Jesus, then let me invite to be with us on May 18-20 as Dr. Tommy South, Professor of New Testament at Virginia Commonwealth University, is with us to discuses the topic “What Can we Know About Jesus?” Make plans now to be here for this Friday-Sunday Seminar.