We already know Jesus was found dead in his grave -- but the recent news that the entire Jesus "resurrection miracle" may have not been anything terribly special in light of a new discovery of a stone scroll extolling the common practice of dead people arising from their eternal slumber in order to live again decades before our favorite Jewish Messiah made his move -- leaves some of us wondering what's left in the Jesus trunk of miracles.
Here's the report from Jerusalem:
Or are you offended that the uniqueness of the Jesus story has been stoned by the discovery of these rocky scripts?
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.Are you comforted by the idea that a three-day death and then resurrection cycle was a common belief in Judaism?If such a messianic description really is there, it will contribute to a developing re-evaluation of both popular and scholarly views of Jesus, since it suggests that the story of his death and resurrection was not unique but part of a recognized Jewish tradition at the time.
The tablet, probably found near the Dead Sea in Jordan according to some scholars who have studied it, is a rare example of a stone with ink writings from that era -- in essence, a Dead Sea Scroll on stone.
Or are you offended that the uniqueness of the Jesus story has been stoned by the discovery of these rocky scripts?
To me, J has always been an ordinary guy who had some pretty fantastic stories told about him. When I was a Rutgers student and someone wanted to give me one of those small green books with stories about J, I wanted to come back with, "I'm still working on The Lord of the Rings, thanks." I was not sufficiently brave, alas.
That's a fine story, Gordon!
Do you think the tablet discovery is authentic?
Not offended at all.
The more he can be *normalized* the better.
That's a great response, Nicola!
I really loved the part of the article I quoted when the researcher said he felt Jesus would be insulted by the "Messiah" label attached to Him by those who have followed Him. I think that's right on point. Jesus was not about money and attachment. He was about being of the earth and finding ways to make the less fortunate more a part of society so they could enjoy and partake in the company of others.
I don't know. I honestly never have heard anything about a three day period after death having anything to do with our concept of being a Messiah. As far as I know, our messianic figure will be very much alive from the very beginning until well after all of the Jews are brought back to Israel and there is a global recognition of a creator, as it were. :)
Gordon --
As I understand the article, decades before Jesus, it was a common thing to have ordinary people die and rise from the dead in three days. Is there any sort of basis for that belief in your current teaching and study?
I will have to inquire and get back to you. :)
I appreciate that a lot Gordon, thank you!
David,
what a good find this is! the more we unwrap the mystique around him and other extraordinary people of the past the better it is for everybody.
Right, Dananjay! More evidence that can be analyzed and investigated only helps the cause of understanding. We then begin to move away from myth and storytelling and into the reality of the experience in total.
Exactly, David! that would seem to be the purpose of storytelling - to take us away from itself and to show us more.
Hi David,
I came accross the following book a couple of years back -
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Lived-India-Before-Crucifixion/dp/1852305509
Not sure about its authenticity but - intriguing - no doubt!
I agree, Dananjay, that storytelling takes us beyond our mortal boundaries.
That's for that interesting reference, Katha! I'll have to see if that book is available for the Kindle!