Lost In The Tomb

Here is the best article I have found that deals with the material presented in the upcoming television show, "The Lost Tomb Of Jesus." Kurt Van Gorden, a friend and emminently qualified apologist and missionary, writes with clarity and authority. If you wish to contact him, you may do so by clicking here, or by the information found at the conclusion of this article. (Reprinted with permission.)

“The Lost Tomb Of Jesus”
Yet Another Attack Upon Jesus And His Resurrection
by Kurt Van Gorden *

Concerning the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty” (1 Corinthians 15:14). No third option is available. Christ's bodily resurrection is either completely true or false. If it is false, then we have nothing to believe. If it is true, then it is the direct intervention of God in human history for the salvation of mankind and it validates the truthfulness of what the Bible says about the person, nature, and work of Jesus Christ. Our apologetic work begins with His resurrection.

Truth Is Worthy Of Defense

At one time the secular media respected the names of God and Jesus Christ. It was common for newspapers in the 19th century and early 20th century to carry sermons of leading preachers in our nation. But those glory days are far gone. The secular world feasts on engaging Christianity in battle from every side. We do not get to pick our battles, but when they publish a false claim, we must either boldly respond or humiliate our heritage with silence.

In this respect, today's Christianity has been engaged in two unwanted battlefronts that obligate us to assume offensive and defensive postures. We know that the real battle is spiritual and that the men whose passion it is to destroy Christianity are unwittingly guided puppets of the Prince of Darkness, and the most peculiar thing about it is that they have no inkling of this. Paul informs us that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (2 Corinthians 10:4). This spiritual contrast is eloquently portrayed in Donald Grey Barnhouse's book, The Invisible War (1965).

The other battle is verbal. We feel compelled to set straight falsified, twisted, and distorted messages about Jesus that deceive the masses. Jesus is an easy target for them to shoot at because the Church does not respond in violence, but rather by apologetics. From the beginning we have defended the truth in word, logic, and faith (Jude 3).

It is noticeable that every year, as Easter approaches, the secular world takes their best shot at Jesus and His resurrection. We defend Him and His claims, and rightfully so, but sadly when the smoke clears our hearts hurt for those victimized by the lies of the enemies of Christ.

There is a method to the world's madness. If they can somehow cut down God or Jesus Christ, then their world will be a much better place to live (so they think). Take the example from the Russian Communist revolution. The Bolshevik revolution that followed Lenin supported a trade agreement in 1924 with Canada. When the Bolshevik emissaries arrived in Canada with 40 crates for luggage, the Canadian Customs grew suspicious and demanded an inspection against their diplomatic protest. The Canadian search found that 40 percent of the content was propaganda destined for distribution, “denouncing and ridiculing Jesus Christ and the Christian religion and praising Communism and revolution.” Since Christianity withstands error, they must first attack us to later promote their cause.

This trend continues today in many arenas, one of which is The Lost Tomb of Jesus film, book, and Website. These theorists attack the historical evidence of Jesus with speculation to bolster their agenda. One archaeologist, Amos Kloner (the first to examine the site) opines a motive, “They just want to get money for it.”

The Lost Tomb Of Jesus?

It is no secret to those who study Israel's archaeology that many first century tombs have been discovered with the bone receptacles, called ossuaries, still intact. Archaeology, as a scholarly study, does not thrive on flamboyance to stake its claim. Its history is marked with ethics and professional standards that few dare cross. Departing from these standards is the Discovery Channel's film The Lost Tomb of Jesus (James Cameron, producer, Simcha Jacobovici, director). It turns a serious study into a carnival sideshow with extremist viewpoints and speculation that most scholars detest.

I have lectured on the Holy Land tombs and ossuaries since 1990 and found the film's conclusions repulsive, not because it rubs me wrongly, but because I've read enough on the subject to comfortably call their thesis a lie and scholastic fraud, which I do without shame or hesitation.

A tomb discovered in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Talpiot in 1980 has several ossuaries that match New Testament names. Those who read archaeological studies know how common this is. In fact, several hundred ossuaries bear names of New Testament people. Cameron and Jacobovici hypothesize that this tomb “may have held the remains of Jesus of Nazareth and his family.” They state their hypothesis in matter-of-fact terms, “This is the tomb!” and it is “the lost tomb of Jesus.” Can they prove it is the ossuary and lost tomb of Jesus of Nazareth? No, so they mount a defense against deceit with slippery terms like may and possible. (Note: If it “may” be so, then it just as equally may not be so, but they do not address logical corollaries). Most troubling is how their proposition is fed by other media that dropped their slippery terms for bold assertions in their headlines.

Cameron and Jacobovici's earth-shaking news is that the family tomb of Jesus was discovered. Their idea is based upon the ossuary inscription names of Joseph, Mary, “Jesus son of Joseph,” Mary Magdalene, and “Judah son of Jesus.” They also reason that if Jesus' bones were in an ossuary, then he did not raise from the dead. But missing from this equation is the fact that nearly 100 ossuaries in Israel's tombs bear the names Jesus, Joseph, and Mary, so granting their hypothesis, how can they assure their followers that they have the correct ossuaries? They cannot and they leave that unaddressed.

What wrecks their theory is another ossuary found in 1931 with the inscription “Jesus son of Joseph,” now making two! Ossuaries with “son of Jesus” are common; one has “Jesus son of Jesus” and another has “Shimeon son of Jesus.” The theorists turn a blind eye to this. Another astute writer notes that 45 ossuaries bare the name Joseph, 44 have Judah, 25 have John, 22 have Jesus, 17 have Matthew, 42 have Mary, 41 have Salome, and 17 have Martha. Cameron and Jacobovici largely ignore these items and they follow it with logical fallacies. They draw attention away from the problem with a red-herring trail by comparing the odds of a certain family group being together in the same tomb. Then they attempt to prove their case with circular reasoning:
• We know this is Jesus' tomb, because the right ossuary names are grouped.
• What tells you that you have the “right” group?
• We did DNA testing and found out that they are unrelated.
• How does this prove it's Jesus of Nazareth?
• Because we have the right group of names on the ossuaries.

They use the same circular arguments in several parts of their motif. In direct contradiction, several of the same names (Jesus, Mary, Joseph) were found grouped in other tombs at the Mount of Offense, Dominus Flevit, and Talpiot.

The Discovery Channel has a revealing interview with Cameron who states: “Faith and forensics make very uneasy bedfellows, because to the truly faithful, there is no need for evidence. Faith implies, essentially, the lack of a need for evidence. You don't have to prove it to somebody...The scientific method is in direct opposition to that.”

Actually, the opposite is true. Christians believe in truth and, therefore, we use scientific studies without fear. The problem here is not science, but its misuse by these theorists. Cameron's statement also contradicts the New Testament (think of Thomas who demanded hard evidence and, again, Jesus who offered such in Luke 24:39) and Church history overflows with evidence instead of blind faith. Here he commits yet another logical fallacy. He equivocates his term “evidence.” He uses it first in the historical sense and second in the scientific sense without distinction. Historical evidence is not tested scientifically as in a laboratory. How would Cameron propose to “scientifically” prove or disprove the historical evidence that Washington crossed the Delaware River? Cameron's logic and premises are fatally flawed.

My concluding points are:

(1) The Website front page outright lies: “Tombs (sic) with the names The Virgin Mary, Jesus of Nazareth, Mary Magdalene and Judah, their son, are found....” Their lie is that Virgin, Nazareth, and “their son,” appear nowhere on the tomb or its ossuaries.
(2) It is deceptive for Cameron and Jacobovici to pretend that their hypothesis is new when BBC produced a similar documentary in 1996 and newspapers reported the story.
(3) There is no evidence that Jesus was ever called the “son of Joseph,” which they should first prove before seeking ossuaries with it. Point: wrong ID equals wrong person.
(4) Their DNA test is flawed. Why test only two ossuaries with the names Mary and Jesus when 64 are available?
(5) First century Romans and Jews had the best opportunity to produce Jesus' bones, but they could not do so and they knew with certainty the tomb's location!
(6) The name game with Mary Magdalene is flawed. You do not use a document written in AD 350 to identify a name three centuries earlier.
(7) Archaeologist Joe Zias, who cataloged the ossuaries, devastated the family tomb theory on March 1, 2007 by showing that the tomb's 10th ossuary is blank, not inscribed, so it is not Jesus' brother, James! Now it appears that their thesis has a missing family member.

Kurt Van Gorden*
Apologist and Missionary
Director of Jude 3 Missions
P. O. Box 780 Victorville, CA 92393
www.jude3missions.org

Growing Up Pierced In Galatia

I think it could be said that there are two styles of Christians, Galatian and Corinthian.

The Galatian Christian sees himself as an ongoing reclamation project. Forgiven and destined for heaven, he is, nevertheless, a mess. As fast as he can after his newbirth he must learn what's acceptable and not, what curry's God's favor and what doesn't, and how to be vigilant in making sure that everyone around him does the same. He doesn't actually believe that he has been given absolutely everything in Christ for absolutely nothing, so he's making sure there are no holes in his day to day life of how-to-make-sure-I'm-right-with-God. He has a big problem with God's grace. Always work to be done, always something to do better. Push, push, push. He doesn't like Corinthian Christians.

The Corinthian Christian is a grace-tester supreme. All he knows is that now that he's accepted Christ, God actually likes him. He's glad he made that good choice for Jesus, and figures God's glad, too. God's cool, and the two of them are tight. Aside from a few essentials, his theology bottoms out at "Nobody-can-tell-me-I-need-to-change. Put up with me--I am what I am...." He's got a problem with God's grace, too. He thinks he doesn't have to move or change at all in order to live a godly life. Chill, chill, chill. He doesn't like Galatian Christians.

I'm somewhere in between the two. I grew up Galatian, moved over to the dark side, repented and renewed my Galatain vows, and have now fallen into a happy life on the outskirts of both.

In the next few days I hope to dialogue about the positives and negatives of each. Is there a bigger lesson we may learn from the two? I think so.

To kick it off, Phil Johnson has a good read about tatoos and piercings on his blog at Pyromaniacs. It ought to get you going. Click here to read the article.

The Jesus Tomb--Buried Already

Dr. Ben Witherington, an eminently qualified scholar, has a terrific piece about the current furor over The Jesus Tomb.

If you want answers, go here.

How Inconvenient (Filed Under "Other Stuff")

(Sometimes I get a little tired of the hysteria...and so, this article from The Tennessee Center for Policy Research.)

Al Gore’s Personal Energy Use Is His Own “Inconvenient Truth”

Gore’s home uses more than 20 times the national average

Last night, Al Gore’s global-warming documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, collected an Oscar for best documentary feature, but the Tennessee Center for Policy Research has found that Gore deserves a gold statue for hypocrisy.

Gore’s mansion, located in the posh Belle Meade area of Nashville, consumes more electricity every month than the average American household uses in an entire year, according to the Nashville Electric Service (NES). In his documentary, the former Vice President calls on Americans to conserve energy by reducing electricity consumption at home.

The average household in America consumes 10,656 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per year, according to the Department of Energy. In 2006, Gore devoured nearly 221,000 kWh—more than 20 times the national average.

Last August alone, Gore burned through 22,619 kWh—guzzling more than twice the electricity in one month than an average American family uses in an entire year. As a result of his energy consumption, Gore’s average monthly electric bill topped $1,359.

Since the release of An Inconvenient Truth, Gore’s energy consumption has increased from an average of 16,200 kWh per month in 2005, to 18,400 kWh per month in 2006.

Gore’s extravagant energy use does not stop at his electric bill. Natural gas bills for Gore’s mansion and guest house averaged $1,080 per month last year. “As the spokesman of choice for the global warming movement, Al Gore has to be willing to walk the walk, not just talk the talk, when it comes to home energy use,” said Tennessee Center for Policy Research President Drew Johnson.

In total, Gore paid nearly $30,000 in combined electricity and natural gas bills for his Nashville estate in 2006.

###

­­­­­­­­­­

The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through free market policy solutions. (To read the article, click here.)

Go Against The Flow

I remember one of the first Christian T-shirts I ever saw. It had a school of brightly colored fish all swimming in the same direction. In the midst of the mass was a solitary white fish—as I recall—and it alone was swimming in the opposing direction. The slogan on the shirt?

“Go against the flow."

Ever feel like you're doing that? It's a good sign if you do. Since you are no longer of this world, but have become an alien, a stranger, you must feel out of step with the flow of this world.

Excepting the preaching of Christ, nowhere is that more apparent than when one expresses himself to be going against the tidal flood of acceptance of homosexual behavior. Try sharing that you think homosexuality is abnormal in your tolerant social studies class, and you’ll see what I mean. The flow and fight against you will rise like a sudden tsunami.

The intolerance of that opinion is especially apparent when you’re a high profile athlete.

Such is the case with Tim Hardaway, a former all-star NBA player. While declining to identify himself as a Christian, he has made it clear that he is not in agreement with the prevailing winds of opinion concerning what was once known as aberrant behavior. A longtime friend (Scoop Jackson) interviewed Hardaway for ESPN in an attempt to allow him to change his mind or at least do some "spin control." It is Jackson's belief that Hardaway is a drowning man...and he may be right. Hardaway’s opinion will likely cost him dearly, but he stuck to his beliefs.

I was amazed at how many times Jackson asked Hardaway questions to the effect, "Now, you're not really saying you think a gay lifestyle is wrong, are you?! I mean, come on--get with the rest of us and change your mind..."

I can't imagine how much pressure there was on Hardaway--a world-wide audience--and he stayed true to what he believes. While apologizing for having said, "I hate gays," still he said, "I don't condone their lifestyle."

And for that he is being vilified far and wide by those more savvy, and by those more willing to prostitute themselves so they can remain in the approval flow of this world...and profit from its benefactors. What a powerful lure that is.

Our opinion is going to cost us a lot. This article will give you a heads-up.

It's quite a read. Click here.

Simple Facts In A Porn-Saturated Culture

Tim Challies provides a vital, useful and to-the-point read about pornography on his blog. In particular, Tim gives parents some important tips on how to protect and prepare their children and family against the touch of this terrible plague. Our kids will see it--it's important that we have established trust and honesty before they do.

To read Tim's article, click here.

Accidents-R-Us

If you enjoy fishing and have the funny memories and scars to prove it, you'll love this video. I post it in honor of this weekend's Bassmaster Classic Championship in Alabama.

After all of the tangles and messes and breakage and disappointment and expense I've endured, it's good to see the professionals endure some of the same. At least I think it is.

Even though Bill Dance has 23 bass fishing championships, he and I could go fishing together...and have an accident.

Q & A

(If you have a question you'd like to ask Ralph, email him at the address found in the column on the right. It may end up posted here.)

From Jason:
Ralph, I found your blog and ministry site by way of Justin Taylor's site. I'm interested to know your take on Powlison's article. From what I see on your site it seems like you don't hold to a view of indwelling sin in the life of a believer. I could be totally wrong. I know a few people who hold a similar views and I would love to hear how you see that working out in light of Powlison's article. Thanks for your time! I do believe that we are far more loved by God in Christ than we will ever realize (seems like what you are saying) and at the same time we are more capable of evil and sin than we realize. I'd love to hear any thoughts! Blessings in Christ brother.

Welcome, Jason.
While I think Gary Chapman’s book, The Five Love Languages, has merit, I believe it focuses the Christian upon fleshly requirements and skills, rather than upon God. Way too much these days instructs us on how to behave, rather than on how to let God behave through us. If, indeed, God Himself lives in us, wouldn’t it be great to let Him do something, even whatever He wants? That, I believe, is the Christian life.

My highest goal is to know Jesus and the leading of the Spirit at every moment, especially when with people. They don’t need what I can work up by the flesh, they need Jesus. So, I look and listen and feel for Him who lives in me, and that’s when the burden is lifted from me and put on Him—and He’s perfect.

While relational skills are important, focusing upon them usually tangents us away from the love and life and counsel the Spirit would provide in any and every moment. Successful relational navigation in Chapman’s book means we attempt to produce the fruit that only the Holy Spirit can. And that’s a nasty attempt.

In my view, Powlison does a good, if slightly over-done job of showing just how selfish, fleshly, and even dangerous it is when we give ourselves to serving each other’s demands for love and affection. (Click here for the link.)

He writes, “Desires for good things easily become imperial demands that would enslave the very people who might try to speak my language—or yours. The lust that perverts such languages sets up an unholy law by which to command and to judge the performance of others in the eyes of an unholy king.”

Nicely said. I would add that while our desires can lead us astray, they should not be denied or rubbed-out. I believe they are in us to be met by Jesus Himself…and straightened up where needed. For sure, we are not satisfied until we are satisfied by Him—but He does mean to satisfy us!

As to your other question, I do believe the Christian has indwelling sin, as Paul described in Romans 7. However, I do not believe the Christian is the indwelling sinner. I believe we have been born all over again, born spirit, actual sons of God, with new natures to boot. We are actually holy, blameless and righteous sons, no longer sin-doers by nature, but righteous-doers. Do we sin? Sure. But, as Paul said following new birth, “I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.” (Rom 7:20 NASB)

Further, I do not believe that we are the flesh, but struggle with it. We are spirit. In the same way that your skin isn’t you, but a part of you, so your flesh isn’t you, but a part. Since you’ve been born again and become a spirit, you are no longer your skin, your hair, your bones or your blood. You’re inside, a spirit son of God. The former things will remain with the earth at your passing, while the latter will rise and be revealed.

Hooray!

Hope this helps—Ralph

To End All Wars

You’ve got to see this movie, To End All Wars. Why it slipped past me in 2002 is a mystery, but I’m so thankful I’ve got it now.

If you would like to read a real review from a qualified film aficionado, go here. Otherwise, you can settle for mine.

I need to mention that this is a prisoner of war movie, and has all the graphically abhorrent scenes you would expect from a film dealing with such a traumatic theme. Because the Japanese viewed other nationalities as terribly inferior, and because these British and American prisoners had not killed themselves rather than accept capture, the Japanese soldiers treated them brutally. And you will see that, but it’s very germane to the film.

That’s that.

I have never seen a film anything like this that depicts the growing faith in Christ of many of the prisoners. It’s stunning. And what these captives do in relation to their captors would make the apostle Paul stand up and shout. It’s stunning. There were many times when my wife and I stopped the film because we wanted to talk and marvel over what we had just seen.

To End All Wars has joined the ranks of my Top Films.

Go get it. It’s stunning.

The Five Lust Languages?

Now here's a beautiful how-do-you-do.

Justin Taylor at theologica.blogspot.com, has posted part of a review of Gary Chapman's book, "The Five Love Languages." Entitled, "The Five Lust Languages?" it's well worth reading. Click here to do it.

You won't leave it without an opinion...

This Might Mess With You...Or It Might Open Your Eyes

Why Church Isn't Really a Church

Whatever you do, don't read the above article, don't click on this link. It may be too much for your weekend. Especially for your Sunday.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

Dread Or Delight?

If the field is "white unto harvest," what about our hearts as we labor in it? What about love?

Here's a good read about the motivation to give the gospel.


Do we do it under coercion and dread, or with freedom and delight?

Tell me what you think after reading the article...It may stir you up.

Have a read here.

Apache Victory

Steve Addison has a brief, thought provoking article which will help you estimate the effectiveness of your organizational structure.

Are you Apache or Aztec?

He concludes with, "Your answer may determine whether you are facing victory or collapse."

To read more, click here.

The 10 Most Redeeming Films of 2006

Do you wonder if you've missed some good movies over the past year? I do.

Christianity Today has posted its Top Ten list for the best of 2006. While I don't agree with all of their film reviews ('Apocalypto', for example--I liked it a lot), their reviews are thorough and helpful.

This page begins with:

"What do we mean by 'redeeming' films? They're all stories of redemption—sometimes blatantly, sometimes less so. Several of them literally have a character that represents a redeemer; one even includes the Redeemer. With others, you might have to look a bit harder for the redemptive thread, but it's certainly there. Some are 'feel-good' movies that leave a smile on your face; some might leave you uncomfortable, even disturbed, and asking, How should I process that?' But you won't be able to shake it from your memory, either..."

To read more, click here.

Glad He's Right

The Spirit reminded me this morning that while I often have widely divergent thoughts about myself—I’m a good man—No, I’m not—Yes, I am—No, I’m not—He has no such trouble.

In fact, His opinion of me is incredibly good, even astounding. It never wavers and He is never indecisive about me. I have moments when it overwhelms me. I like that.

And perhaps the best news is that He is going to carry on with me as though He is correct.

Hooray!

Ps 139:14-18
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand. When I awake, I am still with you.
(NIV)