Scholars Dismiss Jesus Documentary

Film Claims Bones Found In Jerusalem Tomb Are Those Of Jesus Christ

(CBS/AP)  An Oscar-winning director is about to challenge the most elemental tenets of Christianity, claiming the bones of Jesus Christ were found in a Jerusalem tomb, but many archaeologists and clergymen have been quick to cast doubt on the movie's assertions.

James Cameron's "The Lost Tomb of Christ," which the Discovery Channel will run on March 4, argues that 10 ancient ossuaries — small caskets used to store bones — discovered in a suburb of Jerusalem in 1980 may have contained the bones of Jesus, according to a press release issued by the Discovery Channel.

In fact, the astounding claim is that the entire Holy Family was buried in a vault, reports CBS News correspondent Mark Phillips. Astounding, critics say, because Jesus' family was famously poor and such tombs were the fashion of the wealthy.

One of the caskets even bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son. And the very fact that Jesus had an ossuary would contradict the Christian belief that he was resurrected and ascended to heaven.

But Philips reports that, although archeologists have long argued over the factual and historic accuracy of Christianity's version of history, in this case, the archeological establishment has lined up to label this claim as bunk.

Amos Kloner, the first archaeologist to examine the site, said the idea fails to hold up by archaeological standards but makes for profitable television.

"They just want to get money for it," Kloner said.

"What's the story, they found the DNA connecting Jesus to God? Can you check the DNA of god," Kloner, seen at left, sarcastically asked during an interview for the CBS News Early Show.

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.

The tomb bears the names Jesus, Mary and Joseph and one of the caskets even bears the title, "Judah, son of Jesus," hinting that Jesus may have had a son. But scientists argue the names were extremely common during that time period, and in no way prove the Jesus buried at the site was Jesus Christ.

Another researcher whose work has focused on the Middle East, biblical anthropologist Joe Zias, has dismissed Cameron's claims as "dishonest".

"It has nothing whatsoever to do with Jesus, he was known as Jesus of Nazareth, not Jesus of Jerusalem, and if the family was wealthy enough to afford a tomb, which they probably weren't, it would have been in Nazareth, not here in Jerusalem," he said.

He said the appearance of the names proved nothing.

Cameron told NBC'S "Today" show that statisticians found "in the range of a couple of million to one in favor of it being them." Simcha Jacobovici, the Toronto filmmaker who directed the documentary, said the implications "are huge."

"But they're not necessarily the implications people think they are. For example, some believers are going to say, well this challenges the resurrection. I don't know why, if Jesus rose from one tomb, he couldn't have risen from the other tomb," Jacobovici told "Today."

Most Christians believe Jesus' body was laid for three days at the site of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem's Old City.

The burial site identified in Cameron's documentary is in the southern Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiyot, nowhere near the church.

The film's claims have also raised the ire of Christian leaders in the Holy Land.

"The historical, religious and archaeological evidence show that the place where Christ was buried is the Church of the Resurrection," said Attallah Hana, a Greek Orthodox clergyman in Jerusalem. The documentary, he said, "contradicts the religious principles and the historic and spiritual principles that we hold tightly to."

Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, said the film's hypothesis holds little weight.

"I don't think that Christians are going to buy into this," Pfann said. "But skeptics, in general, would like to see something that pokes holes into the story that so many people hold dear."

"How possible is it?" Pfann said. "On a scale of one through 10 — 10 being completely possible — it's probably a one, maybe a one and a half."

After its debut in New York, "The Lost Tomb of Christ" will be shown on the international Discovery Channel, Canada's Vision, Channel 4 in Britain and Channel 8 in Israel.

This is the second time The Discovery Channel has been involved in a disputed claim about an ancient tomb, Phillips reports. The man at the center of the previous case is now facing trial for forgery.

[tuckerndfw]

Funny how bible thumpers usually claim any ossuary or coffin with the name Jesus or the names of his disciples is conclusive proof Jesus of the bible existed. And, was God.

But, now they claim the name Jesus was so common as to be meaningless. Which is the truth, but I'm sure they never meant to admit it.

[dogsoul]

Tucker, the historical accuracy of a man named Jesus who was claimed to be the Messiah, King of the Jews, etc & was put to death by crucifixtion is substantiated by Roman historical documents; granted, they don't claim any more than that - but while many disagree as to Jesus' supernatural status - whether or not he at least existed as a man is relatively accepted as verified.

[tlordagama]

Jesus was buried in a rock hewn tomb that belonged to Joseph of Aramathia who requested the body from Pilot. He was buried quickly because it was almost sundown because on the Sabbath nobody could do any work and the tomb was close by.
Anyone that reads the gospels is quite aware that Jesus was born in borrowed stable with a manger for a bed in Bethlehem... and buried in a borrowed tomb that was guarded by Roman soldiers until the day after the Sabbath. Then He rose from the dead and now is with His Father in Heaven. ( I would also add so is His Mother body and soul).

[tlordagama]

Jesus was buried in a rock hewn tomb that belonged to Joseph of Aramathia who requested the body from Pilot. He was buried quickly because it was almost sundown because on the Sabbath nobody could do any work and the tomb was close by.
Anyone that reads the gospels is quite aware that Jesus was born in borrowed stable with a manger for a bed in Bethlehem... and buried in a borrowed tomb that was guarded by Roman soldiers until the day after the Sabbath. Then He rose from the dead and now is with His Father in Heaven. ( I would also add so is His Mother body and soul).

[mitywhity]

We'll just know for sure one day when this body dies, won't we? I believe this is not conclusive and is very speculative. It's strange how that when they found an ossuary bearing the name "James, brother of Jesua" they IMMEDIATELY scoffed and expended much energy to prove it was bogus. They never did prove it wasn't actually Jesus' brother. The point is this: this world just doesn't simply not like Jesus or disbelieves in Him - they HATE Him and everything He stands for. They HATE everyone who believes in Him and secretly wish that is was legal to kill us all off. The only thing that holds them back is fear of imprisonment. The spirit of antichrist is growing stronger in this world. This "expose" doesn't come as a surprise. In 1980 it would have been banned from network TV. They have waited 27 years to tell this. Why? Because they had to wait until the collective morality in this country was at a low enough level. All the atheists will erupt in ecstatic antichristical euphoria and will try to use this to spread their anti-gospel and grow their membership. The only country left standing in the way of antichristical domination is the U.S. Only in the U.S. is the pulpit not censored. It's time we all decide what we believe and in whom we believe and prepare to accept the consequences. This Age's time is drawing to a close.

[rsoxfan1123]

Rick- We ahve to be careful not to base our faith on human teachings and doctrines or we'll wind up like Galileo and Copernicus. This is not necessarily Satan. This may be a non-believer trying to make a name for himself.

[tuckerndfw]

Tucker, the historical accuracy of a man named Jesus who was claimed to be the Messiah,

Posted by dogsoul at 10:08 AM : Feb 26, 2007

You are incorrect. There is one reference to a "Christ" being crucified, but given the fact there were also hundreds of "messiahs" or "Christs" running around 1st century Jerusalem, that is also meaningless.

Josephus has been discredited, so his references can be ignored.

[cmp271]

Jesus was a psychic, the leaders were afraid of him...he foretold many things, after all the new testament is his book. He could also heal people, we have healers today, and psychics who can see the future. Read the book for real and you will see references to numerology and astrology.

Jesus was a prophet and a leader that is all, all the books of the bible were written how many years, centuries, later, by men who wanted to subjugate women?

The bible is an accurate historical record of things that happened years ago, we have those today, they are called history books!!!!
All peoples have them, and they are also referred to as Mythology.

[tuckerndfw]

Why would anyone hate Jesus? He is a myth and did not actually exist. Hating Jesus would be kind of like hating Superman or Batman.

The idea that God killed himself to save humans from himself is a rather stupid idea on the face of it. But that is what the Catholic church claims God did. And proceeded to invent or forge the documents necessary to support that myth.

To each his own.

[kimberlilly]

No-one will ever REALLY know the TRUTH, because even if The Davinci code was truthful or this supposed Archelogist found the tomb of Jesus, Do you people REALLY think the VATICAN would allow this news out!!! Are you kidding me!!!!
Chritianity has become a multi-millon maybe billion- Dollar industry. What would people do with themselves if they really found out Jesus was just a mortal man, which I believe he probably was!!!!
And so what if he was, why can that not be accepted????? So what he had a child? He had to have a mortal Mother and Father! I hope there was a son, and there is a blood line. Good Luck to fools who waste there time trying to trace it!!!

[mitywhity]

But, now they claim the name Jesus was so common as to be meaningless. Which is the truth, but I'm sure they never meant to admit it.

Posted by tuckerndfw

No, I admit that those are very common names to be found on artifacts from that age. Christians don't require a box of bones or an empty tomb to undergird their faith. Explain this: 11 men are left after the death of Jesus. They have abandoned their pursuits for the past three years and are now notoriously known as Jesua-freaks. They all hid in fear for weeks to save their own skins until they meet the resurrected Jesus. After that they emerge bold, committed, and vocal about the resurrection. They resist all measures to quiet them, to silence their preaching of the Gospel. One by one they meet death at the hands of antichristical men. Does that sway them? No. They press on with greater fervor until at last they all are killed. Through their preaching they plant the seeds of the largest body of faith on earth.

Question? They saw Him die. They saw how he was killed. They were penniless, homeless and "unemployed." Why did they just not deny Christ and return to their jobs? Why is they chose malignment, rejection, poverty, beatings and execution over a normal life? Why would they do that if they did not in fact see, touch, speak with and witness the ascension of the resurrected Jesus Christ? They gave up everything and gained nothing from a humanistic point of view. Explain that please.

[toolmangler-2009]

If they did not get a verifyable DNA swab from Jesus while he was on the cross. don't come to me saying you have found jesus body. If you have the entire family in 'one' tomb then it is a fake. Nobody has ever swabbed God for DNA testing. After all, he originated DNA. What a bunch of liars and opportunists.

[gmcnally2]

It is ridiculous that a claim that is admittedly bogus by scholars of the field still warrants a documentary.

If this were any other topic, it would not. Historical scholars have absolutely no doubt Jesus lived, there are thousands of times more records of his existence than there are records for people like Plato or Aristotle. No historian doubts he lived. (For those that say are saying that he lived needs proven).

Itching ears will hear what they want to hear.

[rsoxfan1123]

singinrick-I knew what you meant. What I am saying is not to confuse doctrine with faith. When the church taught the world was flat, you were consdiered a heretic if you said it was round. Galileo and Copernicus went to prison because they insisted it was round. If somehow, someone proved that Jesus had been married that wouldn't change my faith one single bit. He still was who he was and is who he is. What difference would it make? Some of the disciples had wives.

[lambofgoth]

With all of you leaving, can I have your stuff?

[syphlis]

Hi, Satan here.

Just wanna say, I had nothin to do with this, k?
Get off my nuts, geez.

[syphlis]

Hi, Satan here.

Just wanna say, I had nothin to do with this, k?
Get off my nuts, geez.

[tuckerndfw]

Whity,

The only record of the myth you are telling is the bible. The bible has no credibility as a source for factual information. It is equivalent to a Superman comic book.

[mitywhity]

Chritianity has become a multi-millon maybe billion- Dollar industry. What would people do with themselves if they really found out Jesus was just a mortal man, which I believe he probably was!!!!-----KimberLilly

Kim - remember that it cost a person everything they g=had to be aChristian in the early church. Money, homes and livelihood were often taken away to try to supress the "Way" It didn't work. Now we have widspread abuse by those who claim Christianity brings money, cadillacs and a supernatural promotion to a six-figure income. That's all hooey and it is part of the "blinding" that is spread across this country. Christianity still costs a person everything. Ask one of my brothers in Afghanistan or China how much they gave up to follow Jesus. Their life!

[rsoxfan1123]

Rick-There is no scripture that states Jesus was not married. The Bible is silent on it. He endured everything else a human being could. The teaching that he could not be who he was and have been married is not scriptural. It is an assumption based on human teachings following his death.

[trader919]

Next you bible thumpers will say there is no such thing as evolution and science is the work of the devil.

[cathaleen]

I as a catholic would like to know the truth -
were all those grueling years being abused by the nuns, not eating meat on friday, fasting, doing the stations of the cross during lent, tremendous feelings of guilt worth it - or was it just someone's fairy tale (like a big joke).

[richdog_57]

You are right, there was no such thing as evolution.

[trader919]

Rich-
I guess ignorance is bliss.

[rsoxfan1123]

cathaleen-sounds like someone at your school missed the point entirely.

[tuckerndfw]

Whity,

The "Trinity" doctrine was invented by the Catholic church at the Nicene Council in 325 CE. That is historical fact according to the organization that invented the Nicene creed.

The Nicene creed is based on the claim "Jesus is God and killed himself for humans," a doctrine invented by the Catholic church in the 4th century.

It was invented because Romans considered Caesars to be Gods. Obviously, the Catholic church had to have a more powerful God than a Caesar, so, VOILA!!!!, a RESURRECTED "God" on the order of the earlier Greek and Roman myths.

But, it is all nonsense. No one, including Jesus, ever rose from the dead and did anything. Ever.

[baduga]

Everyone stay clear of singinrick, he's ill, he thinks atheists are put on a pedestal and christians are opressed in America. Jesus was a man like anyone else, except he was very wise and very liberal.

[antoniof123]

Stop giving support to a bunch of lies.

[ov442]

a) The US constitution separates church from state on purpose - cuz the USA was founded on the RIGHT to practice any religion or not, but Never have the government endorse ANY of them. If they did, which brand would they choose? whos left out? who'd be prejudiced against? what holy war would wage in our country as rival factions of the over 1700 different "christian" denominations battle?
b) our president's "faith-based initiative" was proven to be a Political FRONT that used religious zealots and our Taxes to increase the GOP base in democratic areas of the country. -by the men that actually Ran the department.
c) GWB-a president with a history of rich drunken, alchoholic, partying, kept out of combat by his father, with 2 wild daughters publicly endorsing their Gay friends' marriage.
d) a VP calls legislators foul cuss words on the Respected floors of congress, has a Lesbian daughter that is married to a woman, and has a baby coming - he fully supports this. He also obtained 5 deferrments from Vietnam to stay out of it war. doin his duty!
e) The leader of the Evangelical church meeting directly with GWB, turns out to be a gay, drug using, liar that only apologized once he was caught.
f) you have a major Lutheran church leader that is a declared lesbian.
What Faith based hippocrisy do you think this white house should pursue? what is it you support about the GOP when this is their Leadership? more money? more killing? more death?
more christian values like this?

[mitywhity]

The "Trinity" doctrine was invented by the Catholic church at the Nicene Council in 325 CE. That is historical fact according to the organization that invented the Nicene creed.

No sir. They Trinity doctrine was establised firmly in Genesis. "Let US make man in OUR own image...John later alluded mor clearly to that fact in the opening of his gospel. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God and the Word was with God... The Nicene council did a great work of exposing the truth and collecting the evidence to form a consolidated position. They are not the originators of the Word of God. They were commentators only. Thanks. Keep reading Superman though and keeping your mind busy while this world hurtles towards chaos.

[Syndicate]

The names may be common to the era but finding these names together is significant. However these names are know through history and this may be a tomb left over from some historic fraud. As much as I would love for them to find the bones of Jesus. As this would seriously pi$$ off the christians (I like it when christians get all angry Its kinda pay back for putting thier god on my money.) Its not something that can be done. Even if you found his bones in a box neatly labeled and sealed dating to the apropriate time. And any thing else you could want. How would you verify it was him. Maternity test? With what? Their are no known DNA samples from the family of Jesus.

[chadi7]

singinrick,

I noticed your comment on Bush's faith-based programs. The reason "athrists" are "crying" all the way to the Supreme Court about these programs is because they are a violation of our Constitution. I have no problem with a church doing whatever it can to help those in need. But when my taxes go to paying for those programs, I don't want to pay for your opportunity to "spread the Word." I don't believe in the gospel so I don't want to pay to spread what I consider a lie to others out there. Now if you want to spend your money to do that thats fine with me. Just don't spend mine. And yes I know that these faith-based programs don't "allow" proseletyzing, but I also know that it does happen. The main goal of faith-based programs is to get people in the church, not get them help in their situation. They want to get them in church and then everything else will "work out." Based on experience, this is not true.

[tuckerndfw]

Whity,

You are incorrect. It took the Catholic church nearly 100 years to finally give up trying to explain the Trinity. They closed the debate and threatened excommunication to anyone who refused to blindly accept it on faith.

And, that practice has continued to this day. The Church of England adopted the Trinity as its foundation in the 16th century and likewise threatened challengers or deniers with execution.

The bible does not support the Trinity doctrine, it was invented by the Catholic church in 325 CE.

[Gene Long]

For he who said that the ressurection of Jesus was invented by the Catholic church in 325 a.d.,that's not so and the gospels that expklain his whole life were written were written around 60 a.d. Explain that.

[radiob-2009]

From Steve Winwood
Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why can%u2019t we live together?
Tell me why, tell me why,
Why can%u2019t we live together?

Everybody wants to live together.
Why can%u2019t we live together?

No more war, no more war, no more war
Just a little peace in this world
No more war, no more war,
All we want is some peace in this world

Everybody wants to live together
Why can%u2019t we live together?

No matter, no matter what colour
You are still my brother
I said no matter, no matter what colour
You are still my brother

Everybody wants to live together
Why can%u2019t we live together?
Everybody wants to live together.
Why can%u2019t we live together?

Tell me why, tell me why, tell me why
Why can%u2019t we live together?
Tell me why, tell me why,
Why can%u2019t we live together?

This aptly applies here over this discussion .Put away the sabers !!!!!!!!!!

[rsoxfan1123]

MITYWHITY- that's because the word in Genesis for US is ALHIM, which is plural (it could be translated "gods"). The explanation that this respresents the Trinity, rather than some form of council (as in Job, for instance) or system of lesser gods beneath the One true God was explained away during the Nicene council. The reason you give is the reason they give. It had been argued up to that point, however.

[trader919]

There is no trinity in Genesis.

[rsoxfan1123]

darwinrules-that all depends on your personal belief. It is quite possible. Since you are an atheist, I seriously doubt much you have to say would reflect spiritual truth, more like worldly truth divorced of spirit. The key is to learn to balance both. There were atheists even in Old Testament times. Personally, I have no problem with the reality of evolution and my Christian faith. It all has to do with literalism.

[mitywhity]

The bible does not support the Trinity doctrine, it was invented by the Catholic church in 325 CE.
Posted by tuckerndfw

No sir. It's inexplecable for sure. What kind of god would God be if we could dissect Him and reduce Him to the equivalent of a man? I don't subscribe to catholicism. It wasn't until Martin Luther that their grips over the minds and coinpurses of Europe was challenged. I read the Bible for myself and just like Martin Luther said; "I have read this book and I have found a man in it, and HE'S ALIVE!"

SINCE YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD. Why do you expend so much energy here? I don't believe in allah. I never sit and argue with muslims all day. Are you a militant atheist or something?

[mitywhity]

You are incorrect. It took the Catholic church nearly 100 years to finally give up trying to explain the Trinity. They closed the debate and threatened excommunication to anyone who refused to blindly accept it on faith.

That's their position on everything. They are not in alignment with the Bible. Faith can not be argued into existence nor can it be argued away. Tthis whole thing is a waste of time. Here's the true way to settle the arguement. After we're all dead, let's try to get together and see who was right.

[trader919]

Who said i was an atheist? Because I believe in science and evolution, I can't be a Christian?
I have studied the Bible backwards and forwards, my father is a minister, and I am well educated in science, history and anthropology. How can you possibly make a judgement on me with the two sentences I have written here?

[passerby2]

anyone who believes in any god is an idiot.

[rsoxfan1123]

darwinrules-sorry, my mistake. I made an assumption about you.

[andyraak]

wait...so now we have to prove Jesus is NOT the son of God opposed to the logical approach? what kind of DNA does an immaculately conceived human have? we should look into it from all the other cases on record. i might as well start reading the bible for my science lesson too. if only Maury had been around back then we could put this whole "Son of God" thing to rest.

[mitywhity]

MITYWHITY- that's because the word in Genesis for US is ALHIM, which is plural (it could be translated "gods"). The explanation that this respresents the Trinity, rather than some form of council (as in Job, for instance) or system of lesser gods beneath the One true God was explained away during the Nicene council. The reason you give is the reason they give. It had been argued up to that point, however.
Posted by rsoxfan1123

Context is crucial to translation. How is it that Hebrew and Aramaic-speaking apostle John could have got it so wrong that an english-speaking dude as you could point out his error so clearly these 2000+ years later? I am impressed.

[mnelsonix]

How come there are no scriptures about Jesus when he was an adolescent? Reaching the age of manhood was big back then and no scriptures about Jesus?

Why can't Christians embrace evolution? God is not smart enough to create a dynamic universe%u2026only static life forms?

Why does the universe have to be 6000 to 10,000 years old? Oh yea%u2026Six days of creation and a day of rest. I guess the world is a week old. Sorry about the sarcasm but this is annoying.

Christians are bad at interpreting the Holy Scriptures%u2026as bad as Muslims are a interpreting their %u201CHoly Quran%u201D

Y%u2019all miss the point of, %u201CThe Word,%u201D %u2026humility in our imperfection (the smallness of being human and the greatness of existing %u201Cin the image of God%u201D), forgiveness, redemption, and most of all the Hope of eternal life.

I%u2019ll pray for all of you.

[onlyavapor]

O.K As a beliver I know the Truth. Jesus was a man and he lived on the Earth for 33 years. At he age of 33 he was betrayed by one of his own followers and was a aressted beaten and crucified to a cross. He proclaimed the truth that in three days he would raise from the dead and would have been to Hell and took our Debt so That we would not have to go to Hell and Experience the Torture and the pain. Then He raised from the dead and If you dont beleive me test me I want you to because I can prove it as I can prove that George Bush is our President. He raised from the Dead and he assended in to Heaven after anywhere from 30 - 40 days on Earth. He was a ressurected MAN he had his BONES AND FLESH AND EVERYTHING!

Read Matthew chapter 28 all the way through! Then If you want to Test me I cna prove Jesus Lived, Died and rose from the Dead. TEST ME!!!!!

[rsoxfan1123]

MITYWHITY-where is scipture does John say that "ALHIM" is to be translated "trinity"? Your sarcasm reflects your character, smart guy.

[passerby2]

why would anyone believe in god but not the easter bunny, he brings us chocolate covered caramel easter eggs

[tuckerndfw]

Whity,

An Historical Account of Two Notable Corruptions of Scripture is a dissertation by the English Mathematician and Scholar Isaac Newton. First published in 1754, twenty-seven years after Newton's death, it reviewed all the textual evidence available from ancient sources on two disputed Bible passages, at 1 John 5:7-8 and 1 Timothy 3:16.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/An_Historical_Account_of_Two_Notable_Corruptions_of_Scripture

The original text did not support the Trinity doctrine.

Which means the Trinity doctrine was invented by someone, presumably the Catholic church, and forged the passages to support that doctrine.

My position on religion is that everyone has the right to choose his own fairy tales & delusions, but people who use the I'net should at least have some exposure to the truth.

If they want to listen to lies, they can turn on tv and listen to a tv preacher.

I don't need to lie, my life does not revolve around myths and legends invented by nomadic desert goat herders over 2,000 years ago.

But, if that's what you choose to base your life around, that is your right and privilege.

To each his own.