bock's blog

The CNN news release on the web that Paul Verhoeven, the Hollywood director and Jesus Seminar participant, has written a biography of Jesus that attributes Jesus' birth to a rape of Mary by a Roman soldier is old news. In dealing with the theories of Jim Tabor in Dethroning Jesus (pp. 178-79) I wrote the following about this claim that goes back to Celsus and the late second century.

The Israeli paper, Haaretz, has an updated report on the trial of the alleged founder of the James Ossuary. Those who wish to keep up with the progress of the trial over its authenticity can read about it at:

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/974483.html

In sum, it looks like a case has been made against the authenticity of this find. The defense is getting its turn now.

Those of you familiar with my work known that I have discussed an alternative expression of Christianity I have called "Jesusanity." (See Dethroning Jesus) It is a view that says Jesus' teaching is an important religious guide, but his person and work are not centrial to Christian teaching.

Bruce Chilton, Professor at Bard College in New York, has presented a piece assessing The Gnostic Gospels of Elaine Pagels for the New York Sun. It is a serious, crisp assessment of her work, which he says is full of anachronisms. It is worth reading. Check out this link:

http://www2.nysun.com/pf.php?id=74033&v=0530547021 

 The core anachronism he describes as follows:

One of the issues between Jesus and our culture is the impression about Christianity formed by those who loudly claim to be  followers of him.  Nothing represents such a movement as much as the Religious Right in the USA. A recent assessment of the future of that movement has been published by David Kuo, who was deputy director of faith initiatives for the George W. Bush White House. He has just published an op-ed piece called "Not Your Father"s Religious Right." It is worth reading and reflecting on. Here is a key excerpt.

An interesting piece appeared today on the Crosswalk.com site. It is a statistical look at views of the younger generation of evangelicals. Here is a summary of what they see:

At times on PrimeTimeJesus, a post from a colleague will deserve and generate a response from a team member. Such is the case with Robert Webb's note of James Charlesworth's report on the Symposium held in Jerusalem that included consideration of the Talpiyot tomb.

The Jerusalem Post has an interview with James Charlesworth, the chair of the Jerusalem Symposium that discussed the Jesus Tomb. He calls for more study. Since he is on sabbatical in Israel until April and will try to see of the tomb can be reopned for study. The inter view three pages long in the Jerusalem Post and I have made a link in News We're Watching. He says gainging the right questions are important.