From the NYT
JERUSALEM — A three-foot-tall tablet with 87 lines of Hebrew that scholars believe dates from the decades just before the birth of Jesus is causing a quiet stir in biblical and archaeological circles, especially because it may speak of a messiah who will rise from the dead after three days.
Michael Barber posts on this:
I’ve known about this for sometime, but it looks like it now is finally hitting the mainstream media.
For the record, it should be pointed out that the idea of a resurrection on the third day flows from Hosea 6:2: “After two days he will revive us;on the third day he will raise us up,that we may live before him.”.
Indeed, Jesus explains to the disciples that his resurrection on the third day would take place in order to fulfill Scripture.
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead” (Luke 24:46)..
In fact, the New Testament is clear that Jesus came to fulfill the hopes of ancient Israel..
Yet, the New York Times story seems to suggest that this tablet will somehow raise questions about the truth of Christianity. Somehow, for them, the discovery that some ancient Jews expected the messiah to suffer and rise on the third day is problematic for Christianity.
I really don’t see why. Indeed, scholars generally agree that finding parallels in Judaism to Jesus’ teachings tends to strengthen the probability of historicity. If this inscription says what the article claims this would seem to strengthen–not weaken–the historicity of the Gospels’ story about Jesus..
In fact, I actually find this hugely ironic. For some have made the opposite claim–namely, that the lack of evidence that Jews expected the messiah to suffer and rise from the dead calls into question the historical authenticity of Jesus’ prediction of his passion and resurrection..
I guess this just goes to show that no matter what the evidence is some scholars will find a way to conclude that Christianity isn’t true.
The NYT really does try to make this a problem for Christians. That somehow a fulfillment of a prophesy from Hosea would cast into doubt Christianity. This is more than just ironic on the NYT’s part, it is just plain stupid. For example as part of their article they say:
“Some Christians will find it shocking — a challenge to the uniqueness of their theology — while others will be comforted by the idea of it being a traditional part of Judaism,” Mr. Boyarin said.
Might these be the same Christians who often refer to the New Testament and the texts on the coming Messiah as proof that Jesus was the Messiah? I think not. Who exactly are those Christians who will find it shocking?
Given the highly charged atmosphere surrounding all Jesus-era artifacts and writings, both in the general public and in the fractured and fiercely competitive scholarly community, as well as the concern over forgery and charlatanism, ..
Funny they don’t mention those forgeries or cases of bad scholarship especially since the NYT once touted them. Such as the the ossuary of James which was pure fraud and the Gospel of Judas with such an inept translation that even ICEL could not have done worse. This tablet even if authenticated will have nothing to do with the faith of Christians since all it would show is the climate of Jewish thought at the time which would not be inspired, but an indicator of thought reflected upon by scripture.
20 comments
I guess for gnostics, this might be shocking. Orthodox Christians—no, as you say, not so much :-).
Peace,
–Peter
Concerning media pimped frauds: you forgot the Talpiot tomb.
Concerning this statement:
“Some Christians will find it shocking — a challenge to the uniqueness of their theology — while others will be comforted by the idea of it being a traditional part of Judaism,” Mr. Boyarin said.
Some liberal protestants who embrace a form of neo-marcionism might be offended. The second part of the quote (“while others will be comforted by the idea of it being a traditional part of Judaism”) is ambiguous. Is this meant to suggest that some of us witless boobs will come around to seeing that Christianity is rooted in Judaism?
Maybe the Christians are shocked because they are being mentioned in the New York Times.
Isn’t Jonah considered to be a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ?
Must be a lot of non-religious folks at the Times these days. Wikipedia says that the Book of Jonah is read at Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the only mandatory Jewish service, I believe.
“This is more than just ironic on the NYT’s part, it is just plain stupid.” It might not be so much stupid as ignorant: most of what mainstream-media types know about Christianity has been garnered from mainstream media. They are, therefore, ignorant of the Sacred Scriptures, ignorant of Holy Tradition, ignorant of 20 centuries of development in theology. (And, so they won’t get too uncomfortably challenged in their ignorance, they tend to go to “Christian” sources that have a critical and suspicious attitude towards religion.) On the other hand, ignorance and stupidity often walk side-by-side, frequently accompanied by arrogance, so you just might be right.
I wrote (rather quickly) a response to the story, the major point of which is this:
The idea that the stone is predicting that the individual who will rise in three days will rise from the dead is itself tenuous at best, if not altogether non-existent. Further, the idea of being raised up after three days is not unknown in the Old Testament, for Hosea 6:2 Reads: “He will revive us after two days; on the third day He will raise us up, to live in His presence.” Here the text is not speaking (at least at the literal level) about a bodily resurrection, rather “it simply stands as a poetic device that conveys the rejuvenation and rescue of the nation at a time of crisis. Whether by bringing rain or by delivering the people from enemies, YHWH (God) gives life to the nation of Israel so that the people “live before” YHWH.” (Marvin Sweeney, THE TWELVE PROPHETS, Vol. 1, Berit Olam Series, pg 70). Likewise, Ezekiel 37:1-14 speaks of Israel being freed from the Babylonian exile under the image of a bodily resurrection. Given the militaristic and political themes on the tablet, not to mention the absence of any reference to the actual death of the individual being spoken of, is it not likely that the rising being spoken of here is salvation from, or victory over, enemies?
Yawn.
Not shocked.
Not surprised.
Not worried.
Fr. Philip, OP
Awesome timing with Thomas Jefferson’s apparent denial of the Resurrection in article above.
In a related story, St. Thomas Acquinas shocked the world today, with his claim that God’s existence can be known with absolute certainty, using only human reason.
This finding is sure to shake the very foundations of Christianity, which teaches that God’s existence cannot be proven, and must therefore be taken on faith alone.
Blaise Pascal, president of the International Fideists (IF), had this to say: “I cannot believe what I’m hearing! Christians cannot, indeed must not, have a foundation for our faith in God, or else it wouldn’t be blind faith. Faith with sight is simply not meritorious.”
But critics say that believers should have a rational defense for their faith. To this, Pascal responds: “Who then will blame Christians for not being able to give reasons for their beliefs, since they profess belief in a religion which they cannot explain? They declare, when they expound it to the world, that it is foolishness, stultitiam; and then you complain because they do not prove it! If they proved it, they would not keep their word; it is through their lack of proofs that they show they are not lacking in sense” (Pensées, no, 233).
Some, however, think Pascal is lacking in sense. St. Augustine commented, “Honestly, I don’t know where the hell these post-reformation Christians are getting such nonesense…maybe from hell? *chuckles* In any case, Christianity has always grounded itself in the God of the philosophers. We’re a rational religion, and that makes us pretty unique. Trust me, I’ve been other places. I’d know.”
When asked about the God of the philosophers, Pascal began drooling at the mouth, mumbling about the “dangers of Deism.” He then stood up and shouted: “The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — not the god of the philosophers!”
St. Thomas, commenting on his new discovery, said: “First of all, it isn’t a new discovery. Socrates knew about it, Aristotle knew about it, frankly, almost everybody knew about it. But these fideist numb-skulls show up and lie and say nobody knew about it. I have five proofs written up, and they’re solid. I give a brief version of them in the ‘Summa Theologica,’ and a more elaborate one in the ‘Summa Contra Gentiles.’ You can read all about it there. I even demonstrate how the God of the philosophers really is the Christian God.”
When asked about fideism, which reliable sources tell us is the true Christian perspective, Pope St. Pius X said: “Let the fideists be anathema.”
On a more positive note, Oprah thinks that this new discovery of St. Acquinas is bogus. “Listen people, we lost faith in reason a long time ago. Let’s get back on the bandwagon of healthy living. Restrictive truth can make you ill, and cause weight gain. You see, we each have our own truth, and if we follow that truth, if we really believe it’s true, then it’s true. It’s the exact same principle I taught you about when we discussed the book, ‘The Law of Attraction.'”
Only one thing is sure; being sure of God’s existence has caused quite a stir.
It is highly probable this stone tablet text is yet another sensationalist scam, as is clearly indicated by the facts (1) that no specific information is available on its provenance and (2) that no details are provided on carbon dating of the ink.
As such, this “news” falls right in line with the faked Lost-Tomb-of-Jesus “documentary” designed to make a profit off of people’s fascination with the “real” Jesus, and with the larger scandal of the biased and misleading way the Dead Sea scrolls are being presented in museum exhibits around the world. See, e.g.,
http://spinozaslens.com/libet/articles/dworkin_ethicsofexhibition.htm
and
http://blog.news-record.com/staff/frontpew/archives/2008/06/dead_sea_scroll.shtml.
Bloggers may be an army of Davids, but the MSM is an army of Durantys.
I agree Fr. Philip….Yaawwwwnn…this is tought in 3rd grade CCD class, the only difference is they found a tablet. I LOVE my Catholic faith….’and the gates of hell will NEVER NEVER NEVER, prevail against it’.
CATHOLIC
Calling All To Holy Obidient Life In Christ)
So wait, the Ecclesiastical Redactor existed before the Church did? I’m so confused.
(joke for all the ones who sat through Scripture classes).
I’m shocked that a “breaking story” that casts doubt on Christianity is being released when its not even close to either Christmas or Easter.
You stole my comment, Mark.
Maybe they just forgot “Christmas in July” is a sales pitch, not an actual holiday.
What!? There is evidence pointing to the messianic prophecy that he would rise on the third day!? Revolution! Insurrection!
My faith is destroyed! Now excuse me while I go pray the Nicene Creed….
AP Wire – In other news, while examining the clearest pictures to date from the star system Alpha Centauri, scientists have identified what is apparently the first known extraterrestrial artifact. “We once thought it was a planet,” said Nick Odemus of the STScI, “but we now see that it is an enormous black object, perhaps a monolith, with tubes of energized noble gas across the surface. Probably neon.”
The artifact, now called Object M001, has been studied closely. “The noble gas conduits, which exhibit luminescence, appear to spell a sentence in the English language. We find this very confusing” continued Odemus. “It appears to say ‘Christianity is right. John 3:16.'”
Many experts agree that this is a big problem for Christians, who must now come to terms with the fact that their religion is not unique and is apparently believed in other parts of our galaxy. It is unclear if the Christian movement will recover from such a mortal blow.
Assuming this piece is genuine, I agree, I don’t understand the big deal. Hosea 6:2, the prophecies of Isaiah about the suffering servant, the story of Jonah (which Christ says was a foreshadowing of the Son of Man being in the earth for three days).
Honestly, this artifact only confirms that the Jewish people were looking for a Messiah, who they understood to some degree or another, would die and be raised from the dead. I don’t really need confirmation of my faith, but thanks NYT, you did it!
The second page gives a bit more detail about it and this interesting quote:
“Mr. Knohl posited in a book published in 2000 the idea of a suffering messiah before Jesus, using a variety of rabbinic and early apocalyptic literature as well as the Dead Sea Scrolls. But his theory did not shake the world of Christology as he had hoped, partly because he had no textual evidence from before Jesus.”
Umm…or perhaps because it’s not that big of a deal. I do believe the position Christianity holds is that there were prophesies of a suffering messiah, but they were often interpreted in a military point of view by contemporary Jews. From the details on this page this tablet confirms that there are hints of a man rising from the dead after three days, but it’s buried under military and political context.
“AP Wire – In other news…recover from such a mortal blow” — Adeodatus
That was a brilliant comment! You should submit it to the NYT as a response to this article. They may not realize it’s satire and publish it 🙂