“Maybe a one – maybe a one and a half”

More on “the bones of Jesus” documentary

An AP story today quotes Stephen Pfann, a biblical scholar at the University of the Holy Land in Jerusalem who was interviewed in the documentary, saying that 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.”

Pfann is even unsure that the name “Jesus” on the caskets was read correctly. He thinks it’s more likely the name “Hanun.”

Kloner argues that the filmmakers’ assertions are false. “It was an ordinary middle-class Jerusalem burial cave,” Kloner said. “The names on the caskets are the most common names found among Jews at the time.”

They Found the Bones of Jesus – Hmmm!

I’ve said for years, “If you can find the bones of Jesus, I’ll recant, deny Christ and move on to something else.” You see, I’ve been so certain of the resurrection – its historicity, its relevance, its centrality – that I’ve not hesitated to make this statement.

Every Easter, someone come forward with “evidence” to show that our faith in invalid, non-historical, and therefore, fantasy.

This year, I’m told “they” found the bones of Jesus.

But before I recant, eat, drink and be merry, let’s ask some questions.

1. When was this discovered?

Israeli construction workers found a cave with ten limestone ossuaries (burial boxes) Archeologists deciphered the names on the ten ossuaries. They found: Jesua, son of Joseph, Mary, Mary, Mathew, Jofa and Judah, son of Jesua.

2. What do the archeologists think?

Israel’s most prominent archeologist (Professor Amos Kloner) argued that the father of Jesus was a humble carpenter who couldn’t afford a luxury crypt for his family.

3. But aren’t the names of Jesus and some of his followers decisive?

The names on the crypt were common Jewish names – as common as Ben, Tom and Heather today. In fact, the most common names at the time were Simon, Joseph, Eleazar, Judah, John, Jesus, Hananiah, Jonathan, Matthew, and Menahem. In fact, the name Jesus appears in 98 other tombs and on 21 other ossuaries.

In addition, Jesus was not called the “son of Joseph.” And, why is Matthew listed? He was not family. And early historians tell us James was buried alone at the temple mound.

4. But what about DNA testing?

We do not have independent DNA control samples which can be used for comparison.

5. So how do you explain this?

Listen once again to Professor Amos Kloner, who was in charge of the 1980 investigation of the tomb.

‘The claim that the burial site has been found is not based on any proof, and is only an attempt to sell. I refute all claims and efforts to waken a renewed interest in the findings. With all due respect, they are not archaeologists.”

Kloner branded the claim of the movie makers as “impossible” and “nonsense.”
His conclusion? “It makes a great story for a TV film,”

As a Christian, I will follow the truth wherever it leads. The truth – and intellectual honesty – leads me to say, “I believe He rose from the dead!”