from the Da Vinci Code, to the Gospel of Judas...to a hole in the ground

Have we found the tomb of Jesus and his wife?

"I feel sorry for Simcha, but I know how these things happen. One’s enthusiasm for a subject propels one into over-reaching when it comes to drawing conclusions. The problem with keeping these ideas secret for the sake of making a big splash of publicity, and lots of money, is that peer review by a panel of scholars could have saved these folks a lot of embarrassment down the road. ‘C’est la vie."

So my response to this is clear--- James Cameron, the producer of the movie Titantic, has now jumped on board another sinking ship full of holes, presumably in order to make a lot of money before the theory sinks into an early watery grave. Man the lifeboats and get out now."

Ben Witherington has serious doubts.

News story from Canada's Global National .... Here

Comments

[Joe]

I guess it is true that a prophet has no honor in his own country.

So far, only the press in Witherington’s native Kentucky have delicately raised the issue of the pot calling the kettle bla…that is, the pot calling the ossuary cracked in Witherington’s overheated (the gentleman protests too much) protestations against the latest “biggest New Testament find”* in his lifetime.

Lexington County Herald, 2/27/07
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/news/nation/16791591.htm

On his blog, Witherington fired a final salvo by referring to the Titanic and saying Cameron “has now jumped on board another sinking ship full of holes, presumably in order to make a lot of money before the theory sinks into an early watery grave. Man the lifeboats and get out now.”

In 2003, Witherington and co-author Hershel Shanks, editor of the Biblical Archaeology Review, wrote in The Brother of Jesus that they believed an ossuary bearing the inscription “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,” was authentic.
A few months after The Brother of Jesus was published, Israel’s Antiquities Authority decided that the ossuary was a fake. It charged the ossuary’s owner, Oded Golan, with fraud and illegally selling archaeological artifacts outside of Israel. His trial continues, 21/2 years after it began.

Witherington said that he and Shanks stand by their conclusion that the ossuary is authentic and are not likely to change their minds, regardless of the trial’s outcome.
—–—
* “This is probably going to be the biggest New Testament find in my lifetime, as big as the Dead Sea scrolls,” said Ben Witherington, a New Testament professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

National Geographic News
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/10/1021_021021_christianrelicbox.html

—–

If Witherington can be such a zealot about HIS OWN wacky claims about HIS OWN phony ossuary, it would only seem sporting that he would cut Simcha Jacobovici (Witherington’s former partner in crime. He was the man who helped Witherington create and hype his documentary on the phony “James Ossuary” about 4 years ago - shown on, you guessed it! The Discovery Channel!) and James Cameron some slack.

[Casey]

Hey Ron,
I just listened to a great set of teachings by a guy named John Paul Jackson. His messages were called "Spiritual Leadership". The 3 CD package primarily was about being informed leaders in the age we are living in. He talked about how pastors, missionaries, and church planters are now more than ever, challenged to know truth in a way tha answers the questions of the lost. Questions around subjects like the "Judas Gospel", "the Da Vinci Code", "Quarks, quazars, black holes", "scientific measurements of the age of the earth", etc. The information age has hit us, and we, as leaders cannot be left in the dark. So, like the five virgins, I want to make sure I have enough oil.
I read quite often and hope to be bloggin again soon.
Casey

[ron cole]

Hey Casey, Great to hear from you...and sorry I have not as yet responded to your e-mails. It sounds like there is some amazing things going on in the midst of your gatherings in Kelowna.
John Paul Jackson is a much needed voice for the church. when there is so much noise and distraction that would take our eyes off the Kingdom. A friend that had been leading worship for John Paul Jackson is back in town with his family, so I'm looking forward to having coffee with him.
But, anyway Casey...I'll drop you a line soon.

[ron cole]

Hey Joe, thanks for the heads-up on the Ben Withington post, and the links. Very intersting, that Ben...did a lot of cut and paste, and editing to distance himself from the bigger story. I just glanced at the links, but will look more through the rest of it. Thanks again Joe. Peace...Ron+