Jesus: Tales from the Crypt

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Brace yourself. James Cameron, the man who brought you 'The Titanic' is back with another blockbuster. This time, the ship he's sinking is Christianity.

In a new documentary, Producer Cameron and his director, Simcha Jacobovici, make the starting claim that Jesus wasn't resurrected --the cornerstone of Christian faith-- and that his burial cave was discovered near Jerusalem. And, get this, Jesus sired a son with Mary Magdelene.

No, it's not a re-make of "The Da Vinci Codes'. It's supposed to be true.

Let's go back 27 years, when Israeli construction workers were gouging out the foundations for a new building in the industrial park in the Talpiyot, a Jerusalem suburb. of Jerusalem. The earth gave way, revealing a 2,000 year old cave with 10 stone caskets. Archologists were summoned, and the stone caskets carted away for examination. It took 20 years for experts to decipher the names on the ten tombs. They were: Jesua, son of Joseph, Mary, Mary, Mathew, Jofa and Judah, son of Jesua.

Israel's prominent archeologist Professor Amos Kloner didn't associate the crypt with the New Testament Jesus. His father, after all, was a humble carpenter who couldn't afford a luxury crypt for his family. And all were common Jewish names.

There was also this little inconvenience that a few miles away, in the old city of Jerusalem, Christians for centuries had been worshipping the empty tomb of Christ at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Christ's resurrection, after all, is the main foundation of the faith, proof that a boy born to a carpenter's wife in a manger is the Son of God.

But film-makers Cameron and Jacobovici claim to have amassed evidence through DNA tests, archeological evidence and Biblical studies, that the 10 coffins belong to Jesus and his family.

Ever the showman, (Why does this remind me of the impresario in another movie,"King Kong", whose hubris blinds him to the dangers of an angry and very large ape?) Cameron is holding a New York press conference on Monday at which he will reveal three coffins, supposedly those of Jesus of Nazareth, his mother Mary and Mary Magdalene. News about the film, which will be shown soon on Discovery Channel, Britain's Channel 4, Canada's Vision, and Israel's Channel 8, has been a hot blog topic in the Middle East (check out a personal favorite: Israelity Bites) Here in the Holy Land, Biblical Archeology is a dangerous profession. This 90-minute documentary is bound to outrage Christians and stir up a titanic debate between believers and skeptics. Stay tuned.

--Tim McGirk/Jerusalem

http://time-blog.com/middle_east/2007/02/j..._the_crypt.html

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Well Cool - I'll watch that! There have been books stating that the Knights Templar for years said that they guarded the Sang Real - the 'real blood' descendents of Jesus and Mary (as opposed to the San Grail - the Holy Grail) - and now there are bodies! hehehe I am just very curious about how they would know it is Jesus' DNA - after all, I don't believe they have a comparison sample on file:-). Still, it will be interesting - I have always liked forensic archaeology.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Wasn't the Church of the holy sepulchre burned during the Crusades, after the moors (under Baibars) retook Jerusalem?

[Nagishkaw 510]

Just in time for the Easter season. This dude knows what he is doing, for sure! If this were true, then the Bible is a complete lie, and further why would there be bones? Y'shua was resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the God ( Ephesians Chapter 1, verse 20 ) .Carpenters made a very good living back then, just as they do today. Was Y'shua wealthy? I would have to say so. The three wise men brought him expensive gifts, and Joseph and Mary had enough cash to take them into Egypt to escape Herod. ( Matthew chapter 2 ) And of course Y'shua did not wear old hand me downs, or else the Roman soldiers would not have cast lots for them ( Mark chapter 15, verse 20 ) . As far as Y'shua having a wife and children, that is impossible as the Bible clearly says He was God who took the form of man and knew no sin ( first John 3 verse 5 ). Had they actually studied the Scriptures, they would know the truth, and of course, ....the Truth would set them free.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Just in time for the Easter season. This dude knows what he is doing, for sure! If this were true, then the Bible is a complete lie, and further why would there be bones? Y'shua was resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the God ( Ephesians Chapter 1, verse 20 ) .Carpenters made a very good living back then, just as they do today. Was Y'shua wealthy? I would have to say so. The three wise men brought him expensive gifts, and Joseph and Mary had enough cash to take them into Egypt to escape Herod. ( Matthew chapter 2 ) And of course Y'shua did not wear old hand me downs, or else the Roman soldiers would not have cast lots for them ( Mark chapter 15, verse 20 ) . As far as Y'shua having a wife and children, that is impossible as the Bible clearly says He was God who took the form of man and knew no sin ( first John 3 verse 5 ). Had they actually studied the Scriptures, they would know the truth, and of course, ....the Truth would set them free.

May I ask what religion did you grow up in (Baptist, Methodist, etc)?

[Nagishkaw 510]

I only follow the teachings of Y'shua .

[mawilson 2,133]

If this were true, then the Bible is a complete lie

If?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I only follow the teachings of Y'shua .

Did you attend a specific church growing up? What denomination was it?

[Nagishkaw 510]

Denomination = divide the nation.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Denomination = divide the nation.

What translation of the Bible do you read?

[Nagishkaw 510]

It is written , Then the high priest stood up and said to Y 'shua, " Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? " But Y'shua remained silent . ( Matthew chapter 26, verses 62 and 63 ) .

I'm not sure why I am being asked this question. Are you interested in getting a Bible ?

[Peikko 1,575]

Sex = sin? That's one of the most powerful myths of religion.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

It is written , Then the high priest stood up and said to Y 'shua, " Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? " But Y'shua remained silent . ( Matthew chapter 26, verses 62 and 63 ) .

I'm not sure why I am being asked this question. Are you interested in getting a Bible ?

I have several. There's the Jerusalem Bible, the King James Bible, the New American Bible. Do you know when the collection of books that we come to know as the Bible were chosen and which ones were left out? Have you heard about Thomas' Gospel?

Edited February 28, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Nagishkaw 510]

My opinion is this, God knows exactly what He wants , and how He wanted His Word to be presented. I have to believe that the Holy Scriptures, as we know them , is in the order it is supposed to be in. Every i is dotted and every t is crossed. ( Revelation 22, verses 18 and 19 ) . If God wanted Thomas' gospel to be included in the Bible, it would without a doubt be in there.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

They didn't have to go dig Jesus up. They could have just asked any Muslim what happened to him.