Theology in the News

This has been in and out of the news over the years. It looks like the inscription on the controversial tomb that boasts to be the ossuary of the brother of Christ, James, has been declared to be authentic, having the backing of the court of law.

The tomb was first brought to light in 2001. It had the Aramaic inscription: Ya’akov bar-Yosef akhui diYeshua, meaning ”James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus”. After initially thought to be authentic, this was challenged by some. Oded Golan, the ossuary owner, was charged in 2004 with 44 counts of forgery. However, he was recently declared innocent.

After a 5-year trial, Jerusalem judge Aharon Farkash recently acquitted the defendants of all charges of forgery. But his verdict doesn’t mean the Aramaic inscription on the bone box, “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus,” is authentic. It only means that the prosecution failed to present evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that the inscription is a forgery.

Interestingly, the article goes on to say, “[N]ot a single paleographer of repute has challenged their analysis. Paleographically, there is no other side.”

Tim Kimberley, director of Credo House Ministries and author of Top Ten Discoveries in Biblical Archeology says, “This now makes a top ten find in Biblical archeology.”

Read the rest here.

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Though I have not always seen eye-t0-eye with Phil Johnson, I have visited his blog for years and always appreciated many characteristics he brings to discussions. For many years, he has been at the lead of one of the most controversial and well-visited of all the Christian blogs in the world: Pyromaniacs (or TeamPyro as they came to be called once Frank and Dan were invited to join). But Phil, due to time constrains and health stewardship, has decided to quit blogging. In his words:

Thursday my doctor confirmed what I was beginning to think: I need to cut out everything non-essential in my life that causes stress without giving me any cardiovascular benefit. I hate when geriatric patients recite the details of their medical reports, so let’s just say that the doctor was serious: It’s time for me to stop burning the candle at both ends. Darlene emphatically affirmed that diagnosis. Everyone who loves me is likewise in hearty agreement.

So: (gladly, with no reluctance whatsoever) I’m officially retiring from blogging, social media, and every other activity that intrudes on things that ought to be the real priorities in the final two decades of a man’s life.

Read more here.

I appreciate Phil and thank him for the time he spend on his blog and look forward to continuing to see his life make an impact for the body of Christ.

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The geological survey, published in the International Geology Review, suggests that Christ was crucified on Friday, April 3, in the year 33.

The most interesting part of this study is that they “discovered” this when “Scientists decided to look into the history of seismic activity in the region because Chapter 27 in the Gospel of Matthew says that an earthquake coincided with the crucifixion of Christ.”

Mike Licona, care to comment?

Read more here.

The most definitive (and respected) study that I have ever seen on issues of timing with regard to the ministry of Christ is Harold Hoehner’s Chronological Aspects of the Life of Christ.

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Bible translations seeking to appeal to Muslims remove the designation “Father” and ”Son” opting for “Allah” and “Messiah” in the great commission. Read about it here.

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If you’d like some background information on Rupert Murdoch’s publishing and control of Christian literature – including the NIV – then read my blog post here.

Zondervan has said that its connection to News Corporation does not present an ethical dilemma for the company.

The Christian book and Bible publisher is owned by Harper Collins, a subsidiary of News Corp, which has hit the rocks over allegations that phone hacking was widespread at one of its newspapers.

[....]

Zondervan has issued a statement indicating that it has no plans to change the way it operates in light of the crisis affecting News Corp.

Tara Powers, a spokeswoman, who said, “This does not present an ethical dilemma for Zondervan as we will continue to operate with autonomy as we always have.

….read all

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Who’d of thought we’d see this in the US of all places!

Details here.

Further analysis here and here.

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Dozens of Palestinian Authority Arabs rioted at Joseph’s Tomb (Kever Yosef) late Tuesday night and set it on fire, one week after PA police murdered Ben Yosef Livnat after he prayed at the Jewish holy site.

Local Arabs “celebrated” the murder by setting fires at the cave, the traditional burial place of the Biblical Joseph. PA Muslims have  desecrated Kever Yosef several times in the past, even burning  a Torah scroll. Two years ago, worshippers discovered freshly painted graffiti of swastikas a day after Holocaust Memorial Day, along with boot prints of Palestinian Authority police.

….continue

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There’s quite a buzz of excitement on the Interweb over news of a discovery of Biblical scrolls and lead codices, purported to be of first century origin.

The BBC has furnished us with some images.

There’s some quite fantastical claims doing the rounds such as: This represents the greatest ever archaeological find, this is more significant than the Dead Sea Scrolls, this will change Christianity, this will shine a light on Jesus’ missing years, and so forth.

Whilst I don’t want to be a party pooper, both Maggi Dawn and Larry Hurtado are quite right in urging some caution.

Time and study will reveal the truth about this.

In the meantime, if I happen upon any interesting articles relating to this, I’ll post the link here.

UPDATE: Fr Stephen Smuts has quite a bit of background info on this, which is worth checking out.

ANOTHER UPDATE: Clayboy adopts the sceptical line and links to some useful sources.

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Firstly, I’d like to apologize to readers for not posting sooner on the Japanese earthquake and tsunami.

In truth, as someone who closely monitors hundreds of Interweb news sources, I’ve simply been overwhelmed by the sheer horror and scale of this tragedy.

There is currently much misreporting in the mainstream media regarding the status of the nuclear reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant, following recent events, subsequent cooling problems, and explosions.

I would like to point readers to the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Alert Log, which is releasing verified and accurate information on the current status of the reactors, as it becomes available through the Japanese authorities, such as Japan’s Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency.

Here’s the link:

International Atomic Energy Agency’s Alert Log

Interested and concerned readers should use this as first source, before relying on mainstream media reports.

The following are links to today’s – 14th March – IAEA alerts:

IAEA Director General Briefs Media on Nuclear Safety in Japan

DG Amano Releases Statement to IAEA Member States

Japanese Earthquake Update (14 March 15:35 CET)

Japanese Earthquake Update (14 March 07:00 CET)

Japanese Earthquake Update (14 March 05:15 CET)

Japanese Earthquake Update (14 March 04:00 CET)

Japanese Earthquake Update (14 March 01:30 CET) — CLARIFIED

Finally, please do remember Japan and her people in your prayers.

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The Turkish police have prevented another assassination attempt on Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I, according to the Austrian catholic news agency.

The Turkish police have arrested two suspects aged 17-18. The assassination attempt was planned in the Fanar district, where the residence of the Patriarch is located.

According to representative of the department for foreign church relations at the Russian Orthodox Church Igor Yakimchuk, Turkey is a huge country and there are extremists.

Expert of Carnegie Moscow Center, professor Alexey Malashenko believes that, most likely, Islamists are engaged in the assassination attempt, who are much more radical compared to incumbent Prime Minister of Turkey Erdogan.

With respect to the assassination attempt, several Turkish papers referred to a Catholic priest, Armenian journalist Hrant Dink and three protestants, including a German missioner, who were killed by young people aged 16-20, Sedmitsa.ru reported.

SOURCE

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