diffusionOFregeneration

Here is an interesting new controversy. I assume someone is trying to capitalize on the Da Vinci Code effect, which is the brainwashing of the uninformed about new takes on history. The claim is that the ossuaries (burial box of the bones of a deceased person) of Jesus and his family were found together in Israel. Actually these boxes were found back in 1980. It was determined by the Israeli archaeologist who actually discovered the ossuary that the possibility it belonged to Jesus of Nazareth of the New Testament was “nonsense” and “impossible”. In fact this is the second ossuary that has been found with the inscription “Jesus bar Joseph”, the first was discovered in 1926.

Not a single scholar has endorsed this new proposal that the box belonged to Jesus of the New Testament, but still someone has decided now is the time to take another stab at making this point. Yet I can’t help but think it is an attempt to capitalize on the Da Vinci Code fervor, since one of the underlying claims is that Jesus is found buried with Mary Magdeline and a possible son of theirs’ Jude. The Discovery Channel will be airing a program about the claims this Sunday at 9pm.

Anyway, here are some links for more in depth analysis:

Ben Witherington’s Blog
Tyler Williams’ Blog
The Jerusalem Post
The Discovery Channel
James Tabor’s Blog