|
home : press releases
|
|
(view list of press releases)
For immediate release: April 21, 2008
Nearly thirty years ago, a headline-grabbing archaeological find was made in a Jerusalem suburb named Talpiot. While excavating the terrain in preparation for the construction of a new apartment complex, workers unearthed an ancient Jewish burial site containing a tomb housing an unexpected collection of intriguing ossuaries (i.e., “bone boxes”). Among the ossuaries found in the Talpiot tomb was one bearing an inscription that led some at the time to provocatively claim that it contained the bones of Jesus. Such sensationalized claims were quickly (and almost universally) dismissed by scholars, however, and few gave the Talpiot finds a second thought—until recently.
In particular, on March 4, 2007, the Discovery Channel aired James Cameron’s documentary, The Lost Tomb of Jesus, which reinvigorated the speculation and controversy over the 1980 archaeological find. In response, Princeton Theological Seminary convened a conference of international scholars who met in Jerusalem in January of 2008 to reconsider the significance (if any) of the ossuaries for our understanding of the historical Jesus and early Christianity. With only a few exceptions (like James Tabor), the prestigious collection of epigraphers, biblical scholars, archaeologists and historians again dismissed the sensationalized claims made by Cameron and others. And last Friday, April 18, Dr. Ben Witherington (a New Testament scholar from Asbury Theological Seminary) presented the contra-Cameron case to a University of Minnesota audience in his lecture, The Talpiot Graves: Do They Contain the Bones of Jesus?
Witherington began by noting that the “Jesus ossuary” was only one of many Jewish bone boxes found around Jerusalem in recent history. And it must, he argued, be assessed in the light of all of the available evidence. In particular, he claimed, two other ossuaries provide the interpretive context needed to appreciate the significance of the Talpiot find: the “Mary ossuary” and the “James ossuary.” When analyzed together, the three bone boxes shed a penetrating light into the “Jesus tomb.”
Upon examination, Witherington explained, the ossuaries lead to important conclusions as to the identities of their owners which all (or most) researchers concede. First, no one doubts the Jewish nature of the ossuaries (in spite of the Greek inscription on Mary’s box). Second, most scholars concur in their belief that the ossuaries were originally entombed in/near Jerusalem (in spite of lingering doubts about James’s box). And third, all investigators acknowledge the social significance of the presence of identifying inscriptions on the ossuaries (in spite of the “decorative deficiency” of Jesus’ box). But here, with the interpretation of the ossuary inscriptions, the controversy emerges.
Against Cameron and Tabor, Witherington argued that a close examination of the inscriptions (especially on the Mary and Jesus boxes) reveals three significant facts that call into question the claim that the bones of Jesus are in fact housed in one of the ossuaries. First, the inscriptions are incomplete in their descriptions of their occupants—except for the James box (which identifies him as the “son of Joseph” and “brother of Jesus”). The Jesus and Mary inscriptions suffer from either physical damage or grammatical uncertainty that makes definitive identification difficult if not impossible. Second, they are inconsistent with our knowledge of the relative dignity given to the alleged occupants by early Christians—except for the James box (which seems to locate his significance in his relationship with Jesus). Mary’s inscription is an “honorific” inscription written in Greek—unlikely given Mary Magdalene’s social location—while Jesus’ inscription is a mere “toe-tag” inscription in Aramaic—unlikely given his significance for the early Christians. And third, they are inconclusive for establishing a reliable claim to the identity of the occupants—except for the James box (which identifies him through an unusual triangulation of relationships: “son of Joseph” and “brother of Jesus.”). “Mary” and “Jesus/Joshua” rank as two of the most common Jewish names found throughout the Second Temple period, thus making any unqualified inscriptions bearing these names (like those from Talpiot) less than unique. Conclusion: While the James box may very well be authentic, those identified as belonging to (or containing) Mary Magdalene and Jesus are almost certainly inauthentic.
In addition, Witherington argued, the claim that the “Jesus ossuary” contains the bones of Jesus suffers from other grave difficulties. For example, why would the bones of Jesus be entombed so far from his ancestral home in Nazareth? Or why would his family have a family tomb in Jerusalem? Again, why would early Christians, believers by definition in the resurrection of Jesus, make pilgrimages to his bone box in Talpiot? The answer to all such questions, claimed Witherington, is “they would not.” Much more likely, he contended, is the claim made by early Christian believers that Jesus’ tomb was found empty early on the Sunday after his crucifixion. And the Talpiot tomb belonged to another.
|
|
TRANSITION TO A NEW LEADER IS UNDERWAY
|
|
January 6, 2009 |
|
Student Apologetics Training Conference 2009
|
|
November 20, 2008 |
|
Jan. 23 - 7th Annual Faith & Bioethics Lecture
|
|
November 20, 2008 |
|
Former Toro CEO Shares His Leadership Experience
|
|
November 19, 2008 |
|
Do Perspectives on Population Matter?
|
|
May 7, 2008 |
|
Legal Scholar Compares Modern Political Practice to the “Gelasian Thesis”
|
|
March 13, 2008 |
|
Is Charity Without Faith Dead?
|
|
February 26, 2008 |
|
Deconstructing Secular Economic Guilt
|
|
February 26, 2008 |
|
Mayo Bioethicist Offers Bracing Challenge to Churches
|
|
January 25, 2008 |
|
Budget Reduction Forces Staff Cutback
|
|
January 25, 2008 |
|
Hundreds Gather for First Ever Campus-Based Apologetics Training Conference
|
|
January 5, 2008 |
|
What Happens if the Sun Sets on the West?
|
|
November 27, 2007 |
|
Is Tolerance Still Tolerable in the West?
|
|
November 16, 2007 |
|
Lecture Addresses Question of Unbelief
|
|
November 16, 2007 |
|
Does Theology Belong in the University?
|
|
November 9, 2007 |
|
Can a Defeated Messiah Save Hollywood Celebrities?
|
|
November 8, 2007 |
|
Is God Innocent?
|
|
November 5, 2007 |
|
Are America’s Moral Levees Breached?
|
|
November 1, 2007 |
|
Does Washington Know the West's Recipe for Freedom?
|
|
October 25, 2007 |
|
Whatever Happened to Human Dignity?
|
|
October 15, 2007 |
|
Forgiveness Therapy Offers Hope to Abused Spouses
|
|
October 7, 2007 |
|
Spiderman Over Science? The Western Embrace of Magic
|
|
October 4, 2007 |
|
A Dramatic Wag Challenges Darwin's Worldview
|
|
October 1, 2007 |
|
From Reason to Skepticism to Mysticism: Must the West Continue Down This Path?
|
|
September 27, 2007 |
|
What Made the West a Uniquely Musical Civilization?
|
|
September 20, 2007 |
|
Minnesota Daily Covers First Lecture in Mangalwadi Series
|
|
September 20, 2007 |
|
10-part Series to Examine the Soul of Western Civilization
|
|
September 18, 2007 |
|
Institute Expresses Condolences to Those Affected by Bridge Tragedy
|
|
August 2, 2007 |
|
Three University of Minnesota Veritas Conversations Planned for Fall
|
|
July 27, 2007 |
|
Bob Osburn Discusses World Religions on the Radio
|
|
July 24, 2007 |
|
Forum to Address Charitable Choice Issue
|
|
July 18, 2007 |
|
Institute's New Campus Minister Discusses Student Group
|
|
June 5, 2007 |
|
Institute Is Planning 2007-2008 Event Schedule
|
|
June 5, 2007 |
|
Os Guinness Is Featured Speaker at the Institute's 25th Anniversary
|
|
April 30, 2007 |
|
Trade, Claims Dean, is Critical for the Poor
|
|
April 20, 2007 |
|
New Testament Scholar Unfolds Counter-Cultural Implications of Luke and Acts
|
|
April 13, 2007 |
|
Dr. Theo Stavrou to Receive Mentoring Award
|
|
April 9, 2007 |
|
Christianity Has a “Strange” Understanding of Truth, Says Sweet
|
|
April 2, 2007 |
|
Our Modern Understanding of Freedom is Nihilistic, Says Hart
|
|
March 27, 2007 |
|
Institute's Library Catalog Now Accessible Online
|
|
March 6, 2007 |
|
Religious Persecution is Worsening Globally, Says Marshall
|
|
February 26, 2007 |
|
Dialogue Is Essential in Cultivating Civic Engagement, say Wolterstorff and Bernstein
|
|
February 21, 2007 |
|
Theo Stavrou to Receive Christian Faculty Mentoring Award
|
|
February 12, 2007 |
|
Biblical Feminism Inspired by 19th Century Missionary Movements, Says Haddad
|
|
February 2, 2007 |
|
Symposium to Address Civic Engagement
|
|
January 30, 2007 |
|
Institute to Offer Recommended Books Through Amazon.com
|
|
January 24, 2007 |
|
Palliative Care, Not Physician Assisted Suicide, Says Dr. Robert Orr
|
|
January 24, 2007 |
|
Campus Minister Joins Institute Staff
|
|
January 22, 2007 |
|
Christian Medical and Dental Personnel Potluck
|
|
January 11, 2007 |
|
Cal DeWitt on Speaking of Faith Program
|
|
January 11, 2007 |
|
In Search of a Theology of the Soul
|
|
December 27, 2006 |
|
Writer Challenges Assumptions of Public Debate
|
|
December 22, 2006 |
|
Intelligent Design Proponent Declares State-Mandated Materialism Is Impermissible
|
|
December 7, 2006 |
|
Church and State: The Debate at Tate
|
|
December 4, 2006 |
|
Flannery and the Fundamentalist South: Opponents of a Nihilistic Church
|
|
November 20, 2006 |
|
Oxford Philosopher Offers 2007 Holmer Lecture
|
|
November 13, 2006 |
|
Article Claims Jesus' Forgiveness was as Political as it was Religious
|
|
November 9, 2006 |
|
Institute Board Member Receives Award
|
|
November 6, 2006 |
|
Europe Better Demonstrates the Christian Ideal, Says Middelmann
|
|
November 2, 2006 |
|
Turkish Journalist Addresses the Pope's September 12 Lecture
|
|
October 22, 2006 |
|
International Journalists Question Media Treatment of Intelligent Design
|
|
October 20, 2006 |
|
Minnesota Daily Editorializes for Religion Requirement
|
|
October 11, 2006 |
|
“Recover the Wonder,” Declares Esolen
|
|
October 11, 2006 |
|
Elaine Pagels Leaves Questions Unanswered
|
|
October 6, 2006 |
|
Professor Argues That Modern Education Is “Debunking” Wonder
|
|
October 3, 2006 |
|
Conference Stresses Strength of Christian Vision for the Environment
|
|
September 25, 2006 |
|
Conference to Address Balance Between the Human, Engineered and Natural Worlds
|
|
June 28, 2006 |
|
Institute Fellow Discusses Da Vinci and the Authority of Scripture
|
|
June 26, 2006 |
|
Consumerism Conferences Ends With Call for Green Martyrs
|
|
May 3, 2006 |
|
Michael Novak Lectures on Clash of Civilizations
|
|
April 28, 2006 |
|
Lecture to Address Clash of Civilizations
|
|
April 18, 2006 |
|
David Shenk Offers Response to Lecture Report
|
|
April 17, 2006 |
|
Institute Lectures Span Economics, Education, and Ethics
|
|
April 7, 2006 |
|
Conference to Challenge Consumerism’s Grip on American Christianity
|
|
April 4, 2006 |
|
Muslim-Christian Dialogue at the University of Minnesota Is Strategic
|
|
March 24, 2006 |
|
Philosopher Peter Singer Speaks at the University of Minnesota
|
|
March 24, 2006 |
|
Institute Welcomes Two New Staff Members
|
|
March 22, 2006 |
|
Institute Board Chair Wades Into Intelligent Design Debate
|
|
March 20, 2006 |
|
Freedom of Conscience Is Central to Religious Liberty, Says Faith and Law Lecturer
|
|
March 8, 2006 |
|
Lecture to Address How to End the Culture War Honorably
|
|
February 23, 2006 |
|
Veritas Forum Concludes with Lecture on the Resurrection
|
|
February 4, 2006 |
|
Krister Sairsingh Defends Truth in Opening Veritas Forum Lecture
|
|
February 2, 2006 |
|
Father Neuhaus Addresses Culture Wars
|
|
December 26, 2005 |
|
Richard Winter Addresses Desire for Perfection
|
|
December 21, 2005 |
|
U Student Named Rhodes Scholar
|
|
November 29, 2005 |
|
Ganssle Addresses Reason and the Knowledge of God
|
|
October 11, 2005 |
|
Michael Behe Spoke to Packed Crowd of 500
|
|
October 4, 2005 |
|
Online Christian Studies Library Now Available
|
|
August 5, 2005 |
|
Writer Criticizes Embryonic Stem Cell Fairy Tales
|
|
July 29, 2005 |
|
Nancy Pearcey Book Wins Award
|
|
July 14, 2005 |
|
Conference to Honor Former U of M Professor Rutherford Aris
|
|
July 7, 2005 |
|
"The Bench" Promotes Worldview Understanding
|
|
April 22, 2005 |
|
Professor Reedy Lectures on Christian Faith and Economics
|
|
March 23, 2005 |
|
Author Makes Case for Preserving the Life of Terri Schiavo
|
|
March 23, 2005 |
|
Udo Middelmann Addresses Issue of Being Human
|
|
March 9, 2005 |
|
Dallas Willard Lecture on TV
|
|
January 4, 2005 |
|
Dallas Willard Challenges the Academy
|
|
November 9, 2004 |
|
How Do We Achieve Cultural Authority?
|
|
November 3, 2004 |
|
Overflow Crowd Hears Author of The Question of God
|
|
October 27, 2004 |
|
New Article Challenges Some of Our Allegiances
|
|
October 15, 2004 |
|
John Angus Campbell Delivers Challenging Lecture
|
|
October 1, 2004 |
|
Gay Marriage Debate Draws Overflow Crowd
|
|
September 17, 2004 |
|
Institute Lectures to be on Cable Access TV
|
|
August 23, 2004 |
|
Institute Releases Exclusive Interview With Nancy Pearcey
|
|
August 12, 2004 |
|
Professors Challenge Stem Cell Research
|
|
August 6, 2004 |
|
Institute Announces New Giving Opportunities
|
|
August 4, 2004 |
|
Institute Announces New Class
|
|
July 22, 2004 |
|
L'Abri Celebrates 50 Years This Month
|
|
June 17, 2004 |
|
Institute Concludes 2003-2004 Lecture Season
|
|
April 27, 2004 |
|
God and the Global Marketplace
|
|
March 24, 2004 |
|
Dramatic Price Reduction for Christian Studies Courses
|
|
March 15, 2004 |
|
Deconstructing The Da Vinci Code
|
|
March 10, 2004 |
|
Nancy Pearcey to Lecture on Christian Mind
|
|
March 10, 2004 |
|
New Book Looks at Missions and Entrepreneurial Strategies
|
|
March 2, 2004 |
|
Institute Involved in Public Debate
|
|
February 13, 2004 |
|
Business Ethics and Faith
|
|
February 11, 2004 |
|
Institute-related Faculty to Lecture on Religion and Science
|
|
February 11, 2004 |
|
O'Connor Examines Udo Middelmann's Critique of the American Church
|
|
February 6, 2004 |
|
How Do We Distribute Our Wealth?
|
|
February 6, 2004 |
|
Business Lecture Series Resumes on February 2
|
|
January 28, 2004 |
|
Dr. John Patrick to Deliver Annual Pro-Life Lecture
|
|
January 14, 2004 |
|
Has Society Disconnected Sex From Marriage?
|
|
January 14, 2004 |
|
Biblical Reliability Conference to Address Challenges to Scripture
|
|
January 5, 2004 |
|
Intelligent Design Symposium Held at the U of Minnesota on November 15
|
|
November 18, 2003 |
|
What Role Does Art Play in Our Daily Lives?"
|
|
October 17, 2003 |
|
Did Chief Justice Moore Go Too Far?
|
|
October 17, 2003 |
|
Are Christians Suffering Persecution at the Hands of Liberals?
|
|
October 14, 2003 |
|
Michael Paulsen Lecture Will Tackle Conventional View of Religion in the University
|
|
October 2, 2003 |
|
J. Richard Pearcey Challenges Madonna
|
|
September 26, 2003 |
|
Business Lecture Series Begins Monday
|
|
September 25, 2003 |
|
Vishal Mangalwadi Receives Honorary Doctorate
|
|
September 19, 2003 |
|
Thought-provoking New Article on the Message of Media
|
|
September 16, 2003 |
|
New Testament Survey Course to Begin in January
|
|
November 29, 2002 |
|
Dr. Jeffrey Polet Highlights the "Monstrous Logic of Terror"
|
|
|
|
Rutherford Aris Passes Away
|
|
|
|
5th Annual Faith and Law Lecture, March 9
|
|
|
|
Faculty Mentoring Conference Brought Together Scholars From Around the Country
|
|
|
|
Bob Osburn speaks March 9 at 3:30 pm
|
|
|
|
Two U of M Professors Debate Intelligent Design
|
|
|
|
Dr. Kent Talked About Role of Ideology in Shaping Scientific Thought
|
|
|
|
Does Proselytizing Make Enemies or Disciples?
|
|
|
|
Wheaton Scholar Finds Value in Judeo-Christian Values for Biodiversity Conservation
|
|
|
|
Narnia on Tour Comes to Twin Cities
|
|
|
|
Nancy Pearcey to speak on C-SPAN
|
|
|
|
Nigel Cameron Addresses Cloning Issue
|
|
|
|
More Than 600 People Attended Biblical Reliability Conference
|
|
|
|
Schapp Sees Hope for the Future of Literature
|
|
|
|
Gay Marriage Debate on TV
|
|
|
|
University Professor Discusses 'Axiomatic Christianity'
|
|
|
