tomb attacks . . . responding to recent claims

To be honest, I think one of the often missing ingredients of Christian spirituality is that of openness–open to new insights, open to truth, open to recent discoveries, open to the possibility that you might be wrong, open to change, open to what God might still teach you. This is a part of the journeying paradigm that has been increasingly emphasized during the shift to a postmodern thought process. And what is it that provides the impetus and motivation, indeed the goal, of our journeying? Well, it’s Jesus and his call to follow him. Many within evangelical circles have minimized or neglected this component, fearing compromise and the like. Thus, everything is viewed with suspicion and our goal is to somewhat shield ourselves from perceived error and protect the truth and God’s people (and perhaps even God himself?) from that which could mislead.

That said, there is clearly an agenda out there, especially in popular cultural circles, to undermine the Christian faith. To be honest, I don’t think that these things typically do as much damage as evangelical gatekeepers seem to assume. Likewise, I’m not convinced that trading blows with the “enemy” is the only or primary apologetic in light of these attacks. Still, I have to admit that I sometimes get fed up with the blatant lies and consistent anti–Christian focus of many groups.

Case in point: The new claims that they have found the tomb of Jesus, Mary, and the rest of the holy family. Never mind that the claims are basically fallacious. Never mind that the tomb itself has been well-known for over 25 years. Never mind that the very name Mary was so common in ancient Palestine that it would be difficult to know, apart from further evidence, whether this tomb actually contains her remains. Never mind that . . . by coincidence the same old agenda is being put forth and given a new face. Already, a documentary is planned. Next, a movie? And you can bet that Hollywood will tout it as a great achievement. And who are we to question the “scholars” of Hollywood? After all, they all have advanced degrees in archeology, right? They know ancient texts, right? They have examined these matters in depth, right? They are philosophers and theologians and historians, right? WRONG! (For some additonal information, look here.)

Now, please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not saying that it takes expertise to come to faith. Nor I am assuming that scholarship is the cornerstone of faith. I’m not even saying that Hollywood is always wrong! Indeed, I am one of the biggest movie goers around, and I sometimes don’t appreciate the overly critical attitude toward them that is fostered by traditional evangelicals! So, I’m not trying to “diss” everything popular; far from it! But, I do have to question the motives of those who ignore what we do know about this amazing individual from Palestine, who was variously referred to as the Son of David, the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God . . . Jesus. He was not viewed by his contemporaries as a good guy but as a prophet and much more. Indeed, following his death, his depressed followers were ready to give up such high talk, except for one glaring fact: He appeared to them, physically appeared to them, convincing them that the world’s curse had been reversed and hope had sudden dawned.

Now, in light of these recent claims about the discovery of Jesus’ tomb, we must be fair. We cannot explain away or reinterpret the gist of the NT. If this tomb actually holds the remains of Jesus, then it would appear that he has not conquered the grave. If this is true, we must concur with Paul who almost 2000 years ago admitted that “if Christ is not raised our faith is in vein.”

Of course, for some, the discovery of Jesus’ bones would not rattle them in the least. This, I believe, is an error and is inconsistently with the documents that are the basis for our faith. Then again, others will (over?) react to every claim that comes down the pike or across the screen. These, too, are mistaken and lacking faith. The faith once for all delivered to the saints will survive, and Jesus–if he is indeed alive–will not be defeated by conjecture and speculation.

Is this tomb a point of interest? Sure it is. Ought we look at it as objectively as possible? Absolutely. But, at the same time, we need not panic or become overly reactionary in our stance. The truth has survived centuries of misrepresentations and misunderstandings. Clearly, it can take the attacks of the producer of Titanic. The only question is, can we? Attacks and sensationalistic claims will always exist. Will our faith? “We believe Lord. Help our unbelief, and increase our faith.”