‘Lost Tomb of Jesus’ loses out with ‘farcical’ claim about bones

Just in time for the Lenten and Easter season, "The Lost Tomb of Jesus" documentary garnered much media attention in February and March.

The documentary, which aired March 4 on the Discovery Channel, claimed a tomb in Jerusalem once housed the bones of Jesus and the bones of Jesus’ family members. A corresponding book, "The Jesus Family Tomb," was released Feb. 27.

The documentary not only attempts to prove that Jesus was buried, thus the bodily resurrection did not happen, but also claims that Jesus was married and had a son.

Al Mohler, president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., called the $3.5-million project "farcical."

"If Jesus had remained in the tomb, first-century opponents of Christianity would most certainly have found His body and put it on public display," he said. "Nothing could ever prove — there’s no DNA — there’s nothing that could ever prove these bones are the bones of Jesus. It makes no sense."

The bones were discovered in 1980 in one of 10 ossuaries, and archaeologists — both Christian and non-Christian — had long ago written off the possibility these ossuaries were tied to Christ, New Testament and archaeological scholars contend.

Steven Ortiz, associate professor of archaeology and biblical backgrounds at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, said, "This is not new information. These tombs have been known and were published in the archaeological community."

Among the problems with the ossuaries is that the names on them — including Jesus, Joseph and Mary — are some of the most common names of that time, scholars say.

Jim Tonkowich, president of the Washington-based Institute on Religion and Democracy, wrote, "An ossuary labeled ‘Jesus’ is about as specific to Christ as a chunk of wood that is claimed to be a part of the Ark."

Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, said, "It’s interesting to note that these boxes (are) … only now in 2007 … making the massive ‘contribution’ to biblical knowledge.

"I am convinced that our response to this kind of story must be one of honest examination of the truth," he said. "However, along with an honest examination of the truth must be a desire to live out the life-changing message of Christ.

"We know that He is alive!" (Compiled from wire services)