The Lost Tomb of Jesus (Updated)

UPDATE: I will continue to add resources below as they become available (most recent at the bottom).
===
Here is a great quote from James White, one that we should all keep in mind when dealing with these things:

“We are also seeing the danger of investing Hollywood celebrities with nigh unto divine powers. James Cameron brought us Terminator and Titanic, but now he seems to have become an archaeologist and theologian as well. He is quoted as saying, “It doesn’t get bigger than this. We’ve done our homework; we’ve made the case; and now it’s time for the debate to begin.” Well, if a true scholarly debate is what they wanted, they would have presented this material first in a completely different context. They don’t want debate anymore than Dan Brown did. They want money, they want power, and evidently, they know the best way to get it these days is to join the “attack Christianity” bandwagon. They have presented their conclusions before the debate itself, and that is so that they can poison the well. When the debate finally begins, the money will already be in their pockets, the damage done, and for the foreseeable future we will be dealing with people repeating their claims as established facts.”

If Cameron wants debate, there are plenty of evangelicals ready and willing. Cameron has the money to put these things together. but I’m certainly not holding my breath for this to happen.

Here are some responses I’ve noticed around the Web:

Oh Brother, Here We Go Again–or Do We?, James White

The Lost Tomb of Jesus, James White.

More Outlandish Discovery Channel Claims, James White.

What To Say, James White.

James is also live blogging Larry King Live.

Here is a response from Dr. Paul Maier Who’s Writing the Fiction Here.

Resources and Responses to the “Tomb of Jesus and His Family” Story, Internet Monk.

Titanic director aims to sink Christianity, by Brian.

Hollywood Hype: The Oscars and Jesus’ Family Tomb, What Do They Share?, Darell Bock.

The Jesus Tomb? ‘Titanic’ Talpiot Tomb Theory Sunk From the Start, Ben Witherington.

BK over at the CADRE Comments blog has two posts Playing Wack-a-Mole with the Jesus Tomb and More on the Jesus Tomb.

BK also points to Annual Anti-Easter Pageant 2007 Edition, over at Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength.

Here is a post by Marc Goodacre.

Here is the transcript of Larry King Live from 2/26/07.

Here is a paper by Michael Heiser, presented at the 2003 Near East Archaeological Society on the Jesus Ossuary.

Dr. Paul Maier was on Issue Etc. February 26, 2007 discussing this very issue. Here is the audio.

Has the tomb of Jesus been found?, by Matt Slick.

Greg Koukl opened his show Sunday discussing tacktics Christians should take on this issue. Here is the audio link (may need to register).

The Jesus Tomb, Andreas Köstenberger.

James White, on his Dividing Line program, responds to all the craziness. Here is a link to the audio.

James White was also on The Way of the Master (2/27/07) with Todd Friel. Here is the audio link.

Kirby Anderson from Probe Ministry posts Tales From the Crypt: Do we have the bones of Jesus?.

Ben Witherington was on Issue, Etc. (2/28/07) and here is the audio link.

Here is an MP3 with Michael Heiser (stay tuned to Mike’s site.

Problems Multiply For Jesus Tomb Theory, Ben Witherington.

Here is a Washington Post piece quoting various archeologists.

Here are some comments by Richard Bauckham.

Gary DeMar chimes in with Tales from the Crypts.

Ben Witherington and Darrell Bock interviewed on Jerry Johnson Live.

Craig Evan was interviewed by Todd Wilken on 2/28/07 (start 29:34).

James White was interviewed on Calling for Truth (3/1/07).

Did They Really Find Jesus’ Bones?, Craig Blomberg.

On a related note John Warwick Montgomery was on Issues, Etc. (3/1/06) discussing Michael Baigent and his book The Jesus Papers. Part 1 (starts 28:05) and Part 2.

Joseph R. Nally, editor of Reformed Perspectives Magazine writes an article titled Raiders of the Empty Tomb.

Gary Habermas and Colleagues respond here (posted 3/2/07).

Darrell Bock and Bible.org put together a podcast. Here is the audio.

The Lost Tomb of Jesus, Melinda Penner.

The Lost Tomb of Jesus” * Yet Another Attack Upon Jesus And His Resurrection, Kurt Van Gorden (updated 3/4/07).

Andrew Webb preached a sermon on 3/4/07 titled Still Risen - A Response to “The Lost Tomb of Jesus” (text Mat. 27:62-28:15).

On March 4th, James White taught Sunday School on The Family Tomb of Jesus.

Craig Evans response to The Lost Tomb of Jesus Documentary. Part 1 and Part 2.

Wailing at the Tomb? Christians Should Face the Facts of The Discovery Channel, Greg Koukl.

Viewers Guide to Understanding the Talpiot Tomb ‘documentary’ to be aired on the Discovery Channel, Joe Zias.

Jeffrey Kloha discusses The Lost Tomb of Jesus Documentary with Todd Wilken (3/5/07). Kloha wrote an article titled The Lost Tomb of Jesus: A Perfect Storm.

The Tomb of Jesus and Family?
Second Thoughts
, Craig Evans. Evans was also on 100 Huntley Street, see video here.

Greg Koukl interviews Gary Habermas on The Jesus Tomb. Here is the audio.

Gary Demar interviews Paul Maier
on the “The Lost Tomb of Jesus?

“Simcha’s Folly A Review of The Jesus Family Tomb and The Lost Tomb of Jesus: The Divil’s in the Details”, by Ronald Huggins

Darrell Bock interviews Amos Kloner.

Gary Habermas was interviewed on The Things That Matter the Most on March 18, 3007. Here is the audio link.

James White posts his Summary of Errors, Problems, Contradictions, and Half Truths in the Tomb Theory.

Gary Habermas’ presentation on Converse With Scholars, Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

Also a panel discussion with Drs Daniel Wallace, Mike Licona, and Robert Bowman the same night here and here.

Gary Habermas was interviewed on Focus on the Family.

Gary Habermas was interviewed on The Danny Fontana Show.

Books and Audio Sale

I have a list of books and audio materials for sale. If interested please Email me. I am certainly willing to upload pictures if asked.

World of the Occult

dsc00267.JPG

I have the above set for sale. Eveything is in perfect condition.

Vol. I includes:
Astrology: Dangers in the Stars
The Occult Revolution
Witchraft and Satanism
Doctrines of Demons
Jean Dixon, Edgar Cayce 20th Century Prophets?
Charisma: Cultic, Occultic, or Christian?

Vol. II includes:
Psychic Phenomena Biblical and Contemporary
ESP and Parapsychology
Hypnotism Medical and Occultic
Rosicrucian Fellowship and Theosophy
Church of Satan and the Satanic Bible
Tools of the Occult: Ouija Board, Crystal Balls, Palm Reading, Tarot Cards and Fortune Telling

If you are interested, please Email me and make an offer.

Possible Schedule

Below is a schedule for one entering Greenville Seminary for the Fall of 2006. Lord willing, when I begin attending (Fall of 2007), my schedule will look this way as well:

Tuesday - 9:30-11am - Beginning Greek with Dr. Sidney Dyer

Wednesday - 1-4pm - Rhetoric with Dr. Joseph Pipa

Thursday - 9:30-11am - Beginning Greek

” 1-5pm - Old Testament Survey with Dr. Benjamin Shaw

” 7-10pm - Introduction to Reformed Theology with Dr. Morton Smith

Friday - 8-11am - History of Philosophy with Dr. C.N. Willborn

What Does Rome, KJV Only and Mormonism Have in Common?

Well, I’m actually not going to make any connection here, but one certain could.  What each of the above do have in common, is that these topics are featured in the latest edition of the Midwest Christian Outreach Journal, Vol. 13, No. 1 (Winter 2007):

“Thus Saith Rome”, by L.L. (Don) Veinot.
“Capturing God”, by David Orrison.
“Testimony of a Former ‘King-James-Only’ Defender”, by Barry K. Smith.
Book Review (pro): Breaking the Mormon Code: A Critique of Mormon Scholarship Regarding Classical Christian Theology and Book of Mormon. Matthew A. Paulson (WingSpan Press, 2006). Reviewed by L.L. (Don) Veinot.

I would encourage you to support this work. I believe a subscription to the journal is free of charge for the asking.

Deepak Chopra vs Greg Koukl

Greg Koukl and Deepak Chopra debated religion on Faith Under Fire a couple of years ago.  The video of the debate is online here

EMNR Conference (audio and preview)

The 2007 EMNR conference has come and gone and I’m not able to comment upon it, since I wasn’t able to make it this year.

But, CDs and MP3 are already available for purchase.

Also, the 2008 conference has been announced. EMNR will be going back to Kansas City, MO to Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. This was a great place to hold the conference. Phil Roberts and the seminary were very kind to us and I can only assume we’ll receive the same treatment next year.

The theme for the conference is Apologetics in Missions: The Language of Hope and will be held March 6-8, 2008. The plenary speakers are already listed on the conference Website.

I do hope to attend and if I do, Lord willing, I hope to present a paper on topic of a Van Tillian understanding of the Trinity and how we can apply this to Countercult apologetics.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

One of my favorite Christian apologists dealing with the Latter-day Saints is Bill McKeever. Bill was on Issues Etc. yesterday, answering questions and statements made by an LDS caller into Issues, Etc., earlier in the week. Here is the audio.

Bill is co-author with Eric Johnson of Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker, 2000).

Islam

Greg Koukl and Alan Shlemon of Stand to Reason sat down at the mic and dicussed the topic of Islam. Here is a link to the audio (starts at 56:27), but you may need to register to listen. Here is the main page to STR’s audio, but again to access any of the audio, you will need to register, for free.

Alan also gave a lecture for the 2007 Masters Series in Christian Thought titled A Closer Look at Islam: Authoritative Sources on the Teaching of War and Killing which is available for purchase at STR. Here is a brief descriptions:

Is the portrayal of Islam in the media and politics accurate? Examining Islam’s authoritative books in context, Alan leads you through Islam’s beginnings to shed light on the world’s second-largest religion.

Cults, the Occult and World Religions

Don’t forget, next week is the Annual Evangelical Ministries to New Religions Conference held at The Church at Brook Hills, AL, February 8-10, 2007. I am sad that I’m not going to be able to make it. I will very much miss the fellowship and the great conversations that take place during this event.

There are many good sessions, but the one I’m looking forward to hearing the audio of is the roundtable discussion on Friday, at 3pm on the topic “Presuppositionalist, Evidentialist, Foundationalist, Post Conservativist - Help?”

Since this is conference on cults and world religions, I do hope this topic is addressed in this particular session.

« Previous entries