THEM BONES, THEM BONES,
THEM DRY BONES
"James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus" This inscription has been plastered all over the media the past few weeks as everyone from Time and Newsweek to Macleans here in Canada have pick up this very interesting story. Many are trumpeting this discovery as one of the greatest archaeological finds of all time. It could well be the earliest mention of Jesus outside of the New Testament, so this first-century ossuary has become a bona fide sensation.
From what I understand the limestone box has already been tested by scientific, non-Christian sources, and thus far everything about the box is consistent with what we would expect. The age, material and design are in keeping with the real deal. The inscription itself is also very interesting. It is very strange to have a reference to a brother in such an inscription and yet it compellingly points to the notoriety of James' brother. So, all in all, this is very exciting indeed.
But this isn't to say there aren't a few bones to pick with this story (sorry). The ossuary presently sits here in Toronto where it will soon be displayed in the Royal Ontario Museum. Unfortunately, the box developed a crack during its transport so the museum is waiting for the go ahead to fix the crack. Interestingly enough, the owner, or supposed owner, since there now seems to be some controversy over ownership, refused to trust museum personnel to pack the limestone box. He obviously packs like me - BIG MISTAKE!
Of course you also have a wide range of academic opinion on whether the inscription on the ossuary is up to scratch. I even heard that some scholars are saying the box is too "perfect" to be real, which of course is much worse that it is being too imperfect to be real! Still, everything points to the box being what it seems - James, the brother of Jesus, bone condo.
OK, so what if it is, what impact does it have on our faith? Well, I guess we can be thankful for any discovery that points to the existence of Jesus. Time after time after time, archaeology has been the strongest ally to the Bible. Many of the things that were once thought to be myths, or fabrications, have now been proven to be just as the Bible has always indicated. At one time Ur, Abram's home, was considered a myth. Then they found it. Further, it used to be that many felt that Pilate never lived because he was only mentioned in the New Testament. Well now they have a cornerstone from a first century temple with his name on it. I've seen it with my own eyes! I could go on and on with these finds. The fact is that that there has never been an archaeological discovery that has convincingly debunked Scripture. So adding James' ossuary is only another star on an already impressive record. In the very least, it certainly can be used as a tool to open a conversation with someone. Hey, anything that creates spiritual interest and points to the reality of Christ is a "bone-us"!
But, for me personally, I have to say that this dead discovery doesn't enliven me all that much. Maybe I am just getting too old and it takes a lot more to get me excited. Actually, I think my problem is that I am already excited enough. I don't need this bone box to breathe life into a calcified faith. I already have a living, dynamic relationship with James' BIG BROTHER. I don't need to pin my hope on something so fragile that it cracks when you move it. My faith is founded on a FOUNDATION stone that cannot be moved or broken, or bought and sold for that matter. I wasn't looking for excuses to believe. I have years of answered prayer, whispers of love, calls to boldness, and a long list of divine appointments. I really didn't need the news of James' ossuary; I was captured long ago by the animated ex-inmate of a two-thousand-year-old empty tomb!
If you have any comments or thoughts, e-mail me by clicking on my name at the bottom of this page and I promise to write back.
NOTE: Since the writing of this Whatcha there has been more important discoveries that add to the authenticity of the ossuary and its inscription. Interestingly, part of this evidence came when the Royal Ontario Museum here in Toronto went in to repair the damaged section. Evidence that wouldn't have been found otherwise has now come to light. Do you think God takes the cracks in our lives and makes them testify even louder to His reality? I DO!
