lost tomb of jesus?

Question

So I felt like going to catholic church 2 weeks ago with my mother(I'm agnostic). I enjoy churches because it's somewhat of a relaxing event where I can hear from religious folk and their opinions. What intrigued me was when they started talking about how some of the people who broadcasted and/or created "the lost tomb of Jesus" were in court, because they were charged for making the documentary all up? Is that true? please fill me in, I haven't been able to watch any tv for the past 2 weeks...

best scholarly/thoughtful answer gets 10 points.

Answer 1

I haven't heard that. Is it possible that the story of the finding of Jesus' alleged lost tomb is being confused with a documentary that aired about 1 or 2 years ago. What happened was some guy claimed to have found an ostuary containing the bones of James, Jesus brother. There was a documentary and everything. But, it turns out the whole thing was a hoax and another documentary was made showing how he did it. That one was the one I watched. Coincidentally the guy that worked on the original, debunked documentary, is the one who partnered up with James Cameron for the one about Jesus' tomb. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Answer 2

First off, finding the remains has been what people who want to debunk the Resurrection have tried to do. If you find the body or bones, then Jesus really didn't rise from the dead. Did you honestly watch the show on the Discovery Channel? Because they found a set of male bones and female bones that were not directly related, they conclude that they have forensic evidence that it must be Jesus's remains. The difference between your examples? When I commit a murder and they find my hair (for what ever reason) at the scene, they can test the hair against? You got it the hair that is on my head and establish a positive identification. Where did they get Jesus’s DNA in order to establish a baseline sample? The problem that I have with the claim is that the producers of the show throw the forensic claim out there (recklessly) so that people are purposefully deceived. I watched the show, but got more out of the Ted Koppel forum afterwards. You notice that Simcha Jacobovici dodges all the questions he was asked and would flip-flop on defending the wild claims made in the show. It is no wonder they hyped up the show and failed to let the Scholastic community (Secular or Religious) to weigh in on the subject. They knew, if they allowed the scholastic community to review their findings or the show it would be laughed at. But that is ok, this “find” has been around since the 1980’s and the BBC did a documentary on the topic in 1996. Yet Cameron and Jacobovici want you to believe that this is a new find and it will “blow the lid” off of religion. There was just way too much hype for me to stomach. I guess it worked though, because I watched the show. Oh well.

Answer 3

these are not my words but it answers the question.

In 1980 in a southern suburb of Jerusalem called East Talpiot construction workers unearthed a family tomb containing ten small boxes (called ossuaries) used to store the bones of those who'd died. The bones were reburied and the boxes were taken to a warehouse belonging to the Israel Antiquities Authority. Six of these boxes were inscribed with names associated with the New Testament: Jesus, son of Joseph; Maria; Mariamene; Matthew; Judas, son of Jesus and Jose.

Over 20 years later Simcha Jacobovici, a practicing Jew, became interested in these boxes. Claiming to use the latest technology along with the help of statisticians, DNA analysts and even a CSI expert from New York, Jacobovici put together the theory that this was actually the tomb of Jesus and His family. Enlisting the help of James Cameron, the director of the movie Titanic, Jacobovici has written a documentary, The Lost Tomb of Jesus which purports to prove this theory. Jacobovici and archaeologist Charlie Pellegrino also have authored the book The Jesus Family Tomb which makes the same arguments.

But is their thesis credible? What do other sources say? What do archaeologists and biblical scholars say? Biblical scholars and scientists do not always agree, but they are unanimous on this one.

The majority of archaeologists disagree with Jacobovici's claims. Amos Kloner, one of the archeologists who was involved in the original discovery of the tomb says that all the names on the ossuaries were common names in biblical times. In fact nearly 25 percent of the women in Jerusalem were named either "Mary" or some form of that name.[1] Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem commented, "How possible is it? On a scale of one through ten--ten being completely possible--it's probably a one, maybe a one and a half."[2] Joe Zias, curator of archaeology at the Israeli Antiquities Authority describes the claims as a "hyped up film which is intellectually and scientifically dishonest."[3]

Cameron himself says, "I'm not a theologist. I'm not an archaeologist. I'm a documentary filmmaker."[4] Thus based on his own admission, he, as well as Jacobovici, have no credentials to back up their claims. Their talents lie in the area of creating fictional stories around historical events such as the sinking of the Titanic. It is this skill that they bring to The Lost Tomb of Jesus.

What does the Bible say?

In any research project, the greatest weight is always placed on the earliest source. In this case, the earliest source is the Bible and those who claimed to be eyewitnesses of the event. To them, the tomb was never lost. Joseph of Arimathea knew where it was--it was his tomb (Matthew 27:57-60). The women also knew where it was. They had watched as Jesus' body was placed in the tomb, and they later returned to anoint the body with spices (Luke 23:55, 24:1-10). Even Peter and John knew where the tomb was. They ran there after they heard the news about the body being gone (John 20:3-10). According to the witness of all these who knew where the tomb was, it contained no body to be found 2,000 years later.

Furthermore the Bible bears witness to the fact that Jesus and His family were poor. When Joseph and Mary brought a sacrifice to redeem their new-born son according to the Law, they brought a pair of turtledoves--the offering of the poorest of the poor (Luke 2:24). Jesus also said, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head" (Matthew 8:20, NKJV). There is no biblical evidence that Jesus or His family could ever own their own tomb--that was the privilege of the wealthy.

Conclusion

Is the Jacobovici's documentary interesting? Certainly. Is it based on anything more than wild speculation? Absolutely not. Like The DaVinci Code, it is pure Hollywood and nothing more. Only those who are already predisposed to believe something that allegedly pokes holes in a story that is central to the Christian faith will find The Lost Tomb of Jesus anything more than pure fiction.

Answer 4

First, let's get some facts behind this media campaign for a tv show.
http://www.y-zine.com/yJesus.htm?gclid=CM3brbyNz4oCFSQkGAodFFlcfw

Then read what the Bible has to say...
2 Timothy 4:3-4
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.

Understand that they are just doing this for free advertising. They have very little historic or archeologic backing for this. It's the Emperors new clothes--summer wear.

The archaeological community are very proud of their systematic, scientific approach to their industry. For people to come in and "make things up" just to get an audience does ruins their credibility. Personally, I hope they get a wad out of Cameron's hide for this. It was cheep Barnum tactics. Think of all the great digs they can finish up with the millions from his bone-head mockumentary.

Answer 5

The crucifixion of Jesus was unknown among the early church as late as the end of the second century. This was close to 176 years after the church would like us to believe the brutal end of its God occurred. It must be immediately pointed out that the modern church admitted the records of Bishop Irenaues (d.202) created a serious problem. They said of him: “Although of crucial importance in the development of the church’s theology. Irenaeus presents problems of considerable difficulty in regard to details about Jesus Christ”. Irenaeus is fondly described by the church hierarchy as the “depositary of primitive truth”, but he denied a virgin birth, and never mentioned a trail of Jesus Christ, said nothing of a crucifixion or resurrection and claimed Jesus declined towards old age.

Answer 6

Believe on Jesus Christ as lord and savior in faith and you shall be saved! Guaranteed.