I felt it necessary to post about this topic as it is going to be huge after this weekend. In fact, it already is huge, as the media attention leading up to it has been enormous.
James Cameron and Simcha Jacobovici have produced a “documentary” that claims that achaeologists have found the casket of Jesus and His family. It will be airing on the Discovery Channel on Sunday. These claims are not new – the caskets (they are technically called ossuaries) in question were actually discovered in 1980. But now, statistics and “DNA evidence” have been thrown into the mix, seemingly to give these arguments credibility. Of course, I believe that the evidence clearly displays that these claims are false. But, we must address them nonetheless.
So, I decided, instead of reinventing the wheel here, linking some other sites that have already addressed the issues surrounding this documentary.
Ben Witherington wrote a great piece on his blog.
Al Mohler was on Larry King Live on Monday.
James White has written on this topic a lot lately. Here is one such link.
Also, check out this entry on Jeff Downs’ web site for an even longer listing of resources you can find on the web.
I am personally perusing these links because I have a particular co-worker who will be all over this. I need to be prepared. It will not be enough for me to simply dismiss these claims – I will need to demonstrate for him that I have reason for dismissing the claims.
Also, carefully studying the topic and watching it unravel before our eyes strengthens the faith that I have. The fact is, they have been trying for centuries to prove that Jesus did not rise from the dead. Every attempt has failed. This is just one more in a long line of efforts to prove that Jesus is not who He said He was. In the case of my co-worker, he is looking for a reason to not believe – but I must be ready to give him a reason for my hope. What he does with it is up to him…
Blessings,
m.
March 5, 2007 at 9:04 am
Michelle:
I too felt ‘compelled’ to watch the ‘documentary’ last nigth on Discovery as I knew first thing Monday morning I would be hit by a deluge of coworker questions and comments. I took portions of the Ben Witherington posts and sent out an email to most of them to head this off at the pass – not sure why, but once some people find our you are Catholic they expect to to have all the answers to all the religious questions they can possible come up with. And some people simply delight in throwing differents news quips or items ‘in your face’ without seriously reseaching or even reading what ever it is they think they’ve ‘found’ this time. I find it very sad that so much energy is spent trying to prove/disprove all these core foundations of Christianity period – if only we get get all these people with so much negativism to focus on something collectively for the better good of all – Just thoughts/comment for the day here………….
March 13, 2007 at 11:28 am
(Loving this new look). I must say that I agree this isn’t new, and yes the media has been all over this. Unable to watch the documentary, I am sure that it was well presented, I know last time it was. For me personally, my faith carries me. I am not thrown or swayed by all those who are presistant in proving that things Jesus is not whom the Bible says He is or the things that transpired. Personally when the media gets into this big production I ask myself, is any one getting the bigger picture? There is sooooo much more for all, Jesus is love.