Bauckham’s guest post has been postponed till tomorrow. Until then, I offer part 21 in my Jesus and the Eyewitnesses series, this time looking at chapter 12.
Some background for Bauckham’s guest post may be in order, however.
First, do have a look at James Tabor’s blog. He is one of the experts listed in relation to the movie and is of the following opinion: ‘[T]here can be little doubt that in March of 1980 a bulldozer accidentally uncovered the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth’.
Second, have a read of Ben Witherington’s blog and the recent relevant posts (especially this one). An earlier version of the material that shall appear here tomorrow is to be found in the most recent.
Also check out the posts on Tyler Williams’ blog here.
There is no doubt much more that I could link to, so if anyone has any special recommendations please do note them in the comments.
What do I think of all this? To keep it short and sweet: Tabor has ‘little doubt’. I have a good deal more. I think it historically unlikely that the tomb is that of the ‘Jesus family’. I would add, however, that the discussion being generated is a good thing.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Hey Chris,
Would we be able to distribute Bauckham's response to our churches?
Hi there,
I don't see why not. I would add that, given the draft I have already seen, Bauckham is not attempting a full scale refutation of teh claims, but is rather performing an onomastic analysis.
All the best,
Chris
James Tabor is the Erich von Daniken of Palestinian archaeology.
Does anyone know what the general scholarly view is of James Tabor and his theories pertaining the Jesus Dynasty, and the lastest episode concerning the tomb? I attend UNCC as a philosophy student, and occasionally I do interact with some of Tabor's grad students, including one who has been in that tomb recently with Tabor. The attitude I get from most of his students is that his scholarship is impeccable and his theories are something close to watertight.
I'm familiar with evangelicals views of him (Darrell Bock, Gary Habermas, etc), but not too familiar with scholars outside of evangelical circles as I'm way more up to date on what's going on in 20th century anglo-american philosophy than biblical studies/religious studies/etc.
Thanks,
Davis
Hi Davis,
Well I must admit that I don't yet know too much about Tabor. It seems that he is a serious scholar (i.e. not merely a Michael Baigent), but nobody is impeccable and watertight, and I think James would be the first to admit this. Furthermore, if J.C. Interpolation O'Neill can write Who did Jesus think he Was?, then that goes to prove that even brilliant scholars can sometimes publish, um, things that aren't too helpful!
Witherington claims that Tabor, at one time, was involved with the Armstrongs' Worldwide Church of God. If this is true -- even if he has recanted -- it certainly shows a lack of critical thinking on his part, and a wilingness to embrace some *ahem* rather extremely unlikely ideas.
My apologies, the claim was made by Jordan Potter, not Witherington. If it is true, it remains a serious indictment.
It is true. Dr. Tabor was once a member of the Worldwide Church of God and a faculty member of their unaccredited Bible college, Ambassador College.
http://ambassadorwatch.blogspot.com/2007/03/looney-tombs.html
But it would be the well-poisoning fallacy to dismiss Dr. Tabor because many years ago he belonged to a wacky cult. (And Dr. Tabor isn't clear about what his current religious views are, if he has any religious views.) I think it's far more of an indictment that he has attempted to make a case for the Talpiot tomb being the tomb of Jesus and His family, when all the evidence we have shows that to be extremely unlikely.
Dr. Tabor's students may hold him and his work in high regard, but my impression is that his "Jesus Dynasty" thesis has not acquired much if any adherents in the scholarly realm. To be blunt, I think this Jesus Tomb fiasco has completely destroyed any credibility he may have had.
Post a Comment