CrossingCurrents November 2014 Crossing Culture—Connecting People Volume 7 Issue 1

Lost Gospel or Lost in Gnosticism? (Part One) By Bob Waldrep On November 12 Pegasus Books re- ‘Joseph,’ two ‘Marys,’ and a ‘Jesus, son of Jacobovic says is the child of Jesus and Mary leased The Lost Gospel: Decoding the Ancient Joseph.’” 1 Of course, if Jesus were buried Magdalene – yet he isn’t mentioned in The Text That Reveals Jesus’ Marriage to Mary here the resurrection is not true. Lost Gospel)? Magdalene by Simcha Jacobovic and Barrie Despite the fact that the archaeologists JUST GOOGLE IT Wilson (Jacobovic also made a companion who originally cataloged the find had con- Given the same facts with no precon- film documentary as part of his Bible Con- sidered and dismissed any possibility this ceived ideas about Jesus, would one draw spiracies television series which began airing was the tomb of the biblical Jesus (a fact the same conclusion? Of course not! So, December 2014 on the Science Channel). included in his book), Jacobovic resolved it how did he really connect Mariamne with As the title indicates, the reader can expect would have to be the biblical Jesus due to, Mary Magdalene? What evidence did he to read some startling assertions about what he considered, the unlikely odds that rely upon? Try Google. Jesus, but are they new or simply old claims another Jesus could have been born with a According to Jacobovic, in 2003, he visit- in a new package? father named Joseph and placed in a tomb ed a friend and asked him to see if there Considering the authors previous work, with two women named Mary – a fact he was a connection between Mary it is safe to say this isn’t the first time they believes strengthens his conclusion since Magdalene and Mariamne? Describing have wandered down this trail. In fact, Jesus’ mother was that conversation, he wrote that his Wilson, a Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion, named Mary. friend replied, “…today we have the In- teaching religious studies at York Univer- However, even he ternet. Why don’t we look into it right sity, is probably best known for his book, acknowledges the now?” He googled “Mariamne” and then How Jesus Became Christian. In it he argues ossuary identified turned slightly pale. “Look, Simcha… Jesus was simply a Messiah want-to-be as Mary does not According to modern scholarship,” he rather than God – a theology he maintains include “mother of read out loud, “Mary Magdalene’s real was fabricated by Paul, along with the res- Jesus” or “wife of name was Mariamne.” 2 urrection story – a view shared by The Joseph” as part of This is not a finding rooted in the his- Lost Gospel coauthor, Jacobovic. its inscription. torical record. In fact, a google search of Though Jacobovic has a degree in phi- The other Mary Mariamne will turn up others with this losophy and politics, based on his previous is identified on the name before connecting it with Mary Mag- works, one might think him a trained ar- ossuary inscription as “Mariamne,” and dalene. And, when the name is associated chaeologist or expert in the study of an- despite the fact the inscription does not with Mary Magdalene, guess who pops up tiquities. However, he is probably best include “Magdalene,” he jumps to the con- first? You guessed it – Simcha Jacobovic. classified as an investigative journalist, clusion she is not a blood relation to the Ignoring the other Mariamnes, Jacobovic producer, and director. The Lost Gospel is Jesus bones and must be Mary Magdalene. and his friend gravitated to the one that fit not his first attempt to prove Jesus and Rather than letting the evidence speak for their own ideas about Mary Magdalene – Mary Magdalene were married. itself, this is an obvious twisting of the evi- the Mary Magdalene of the Gnostics. And, In a previous work, The Lost Tomb of dence to match one’s previously held posi- as we will see, it is the so-called Gnostic Jesus, Jacobovic claimed a tomb discov- tion. Otherwise, why would he have the Gospels – not the canonical Gospels of ered in Jerusalem in 1980 contained the Jesus and Mariamne bones DNA tested the Bible that play a central role in bones of Jesus and his family. Concerning and, based on there being no familial rela- Jacobovic’s works. these, he wrote, “…in the Talpiot tomb tion, conclude this proves Jesus and Mary Concerning this he and Wilson write, they found ten ossuaries [boxes for Magdalene were married (Interestingly, the “Gnosis is the Greek word for bones], six with inscriptions. The in- tomb also included the bones of a child ‘knowledge’ or ‘insight.’ The Gnostics scribed ones include a ‘Matthew,’ a identified as Judah, son of Jesus, who were those Christians who did not follow

Continued, p. 2

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How Americans View the Bible online giving at: crosswindsfoundation.org Inside this issue: Inside Page 2 what became known as ‘orthodox’ or this story as being about the Joseph in of a priest (Genesis 41:45-51; 46:20). It is ‘catholic’ Christianity…Put differently, in Genesis, something that will come as no the added information that leads to many the early phases of Christianity Jesus’ fol- surprise to anyone reading Joseph and Ase- of the assumptions made in The Lost Gospel lowers had at least two brands of Christi- neth who is even remotely aware of the that are outside mainstream scholarship anity to choose from – Gnosticism and Genesis account. Consider the following regarding this story. Paulism.” 3 In describing these two they summation of Joseph and Aseneth: While no one knows who wrote Joseph write, “While for Paul’s followers Jesus was Joseph, a high ranking official in Pharaoh’s and Aseneth, from a cursory reading it a god, for the Gnostics he was a guide and court, who worships the God of Israel, is seems obvious the writer was attempting a teacher sent from the one true God to offered Aseneth in marriage. Her father, to clarify an obvious issue some might have enlighten humanity and to act as a catalyst Pentephres, is the priest of the Egyptian with Joseph having married a Gentile. As for spiritual growth, maturity, and redemp- deity Heliopolis. Initially, Joseph refuses to Dr. Robert Cargill, Assistant Professor of tion.” 4 marry her due to her worship of false gods; Classics and Religious Studies at the Uni- As the record reflects, long before this however, after being rejected by Joseph versity of Iowa, has stated: latest effort, it is clear both Wilson and she casts her idols out, repents, and turns “As prohibiting intermarriage became a Jacobovic were committed to the idea that to the God of Israel. An angel then visits bigger and bigger deal in the Second Jesus was just a man – not God. Further- her in her bedchamber and affirms her ac- Temple period, many Jews began to see more, Jacobovic was well acquainted with the problem with Joseph’s marriage to gnostic literature and the belief that Mary “There are really two Christian Aseneth, as Joseph was said to have not Magdalene and Jesus were married and had worlds: the world of the winners only married an Egyptian, but the daugh- children. In reading their book one is hard- (Paul’s followers, which in- ter of an Egyptian priest!...The popular pressed not to think they are interpreting cludes all the official Christian ancient love story of Joseph and Aseneth their evidence in light of preconceived con- groups today) and the world of serves as an apology explaining why a clusions about Jesus’ life. To put it another the losers (those who were righteous Israelite patriarch like Joseph way, if one simply considered the docu- banned, burned, ostracized, would marry the daughter of a pagan ments presented by these men, it would be and driven underground).” priest…The biblical account says Joseph difficult not to say their conclusions seem married an Egyptian woman, so Joseph farfetched, at best. and Aseneth explains that Aseneth first While at times Jacobovic appeals to the tions. Afterwards, she and Joseph marry converted, and therefore was eligible to “evidence” he claims to have found in the and have two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. be married to Joseph.” 6 lost tomb of Jesus, this time he bases his The story also includes a failed attempt by Jacobovic and Wilson put an entirely conclusions on a document, Joseph and Pharaoh’s son to have Joseph assassinated different spin on the story – one that can Aseneth, which he and Wilson describe as so he could marry Aseneth. only be found through reinterpreting the “a centuries old manuscript [found] in a In the story Joseph is described as one Bible, history, and a heavy reliance on the long-forgotten corner of a library.” This who came to Egypt as a captive – a shep- Gnostics. The story they unravel begins at intriguing description might cause one to herd’s son from the land of Canaan – sold the feet of a statue of the Greek goddess think they have discovered some long lost into slavery by his brothers. He is alleged Artemis and will cause one’s head to spin document; however, immediately before to have been thrown into prison for having at their dizzying conjectures of what might this assertion they write, “…we don’t claim intercourse with his master’s wife and sub- have been. For, according to The Lost Gos- to have excavated a long lost text” 5 So, sequently rescued by Pharaoh for inter- pel, the Joseph and Aseneth story is actually despite this apparent attempt to make their preting Pharaoh’s dream. His father was a story written in code and that code must document different from all other copies, it named Jacob/Israel and during a famine he be broken in order to rightly understand it. turns out the difference is primarily in how joined Joseph in Egypt along with his other CAN YOU SAY CONSPIRACY they interpret it. sons who are named in the story: Simeon, This is based on what amounts to be a WHO ARE JOSEPH AND ASENETH Levi, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, Asher, Rueben, conspiracy theory held by those like Despite the authors’ claims otherwise, Issachar, Zebulon, Judah, and Benjamin. Jacobovic and Wilson who believe the true Joseph and Aseneth is not new to scholars Almost all of these details correspond teachings of Jesus and his disciples and the and many translations and copies of it exist. with the Genesis account of Joseph, includ- history of the Church were perverted by To use the authors own investigative tool, ing his marriage to Aseneth. However, Jo- the Apostle Paul and others in history who a quick Google search reveals that much seph and Aseneth offers much greater detail hijacked the “real” gospel by making Jesus has been written about this document long about Aseneth than the Genesis account, God and adding a resurrection story. Ac- before The Lost Gospel. There is even a which is extremely brief. Nevertheless, the cording to this view, as Paul’s influence scholarly website dedicated to it, created in two accounts agree on these points: she grew the truth about Jesus would diminish 1999 (markgoodacre.org/Aseneth). The married Joseph and bore two sons – Ma- until the Emperor Constantine “officially” majority opinion overwhelmingly interprets nasseh and Ephraim and was the daughter had Jesus declared God at the Council of Page 3 Nicaea in 325 AD. spoke of Christ’s human traits and embellished those Da Vinci Code: Fact or Fiction gospels that made him godlike. The other gospels These conspirators believe the Church (Part One) by Bob Waldrep were outlawed, gathered up, and burned.” (p.234) then banned and destroyed writings such as The Da Vinci Code by Dan “…almost everything our fathers taught us about the Gnostic Gospels, which taught a different Brown is a best seller on Christ is false. As are the stories about the Holy view of Jesus, in order to cover up the “true the fiction list; however, the Grail.” (p. 235) story” of Jesus. In line with this belief, author clearly states that “…legend tells us the Holy Grail is a chalice – a cup. Jacobovic and Wilson claim the author of the story takes place in the But the Grail’s description as a chalice is actually an Joseph and Aseneth was one of these Gnos- context of factual events, allegory to protect the true nature of the Holy Grail… places, organizations and tics and, fearing the Church would destroy The Grail is literally the ancient symbol for woman- rituals. To enhance the hood and the Holy Grail represents the sacred femi- it, wrote in code – preserving the truth in a credibility of this claim, nine and the goddess, which of course has now been story in which the main characters are to be Brown includes not only lost, virtually eliminated by the Church.” (p.238) understood as types of Jess and Mary Magda- fictional characters in his “The Church needed to defame Mary Magdalene lene. plot, but real people (both past and present) who [making her out to be a prostitute] in order to cover To support their view, conspirators will will be readily recognized by the book's audience. up her dangerous secret – her role as the Holy ignore the historical record, maintaining it is On November 3, ABC News devoted an hour of Grail.” (p.244) “[Jesus gave] Mary Magdalene instructions on how untrustworthy. They commonly express it programming in a special Primetime with Elizabeth Vargas to investigate the "factual" claims of the to carry on His Church after He is gone…Jesus was as, “history is written by the winners.” In book. The conclusion of investigative reporter the original feminist. He intended for the future of His other words trust me – not history. As Vargas, "What we found is that some of the claims Church to be in the hands of Mary Magdalene.” (pp Jacobovic and Wilson explain it, “There are the book makes are simply not credible and some 247-248) really two Christian worlds: the world of the of the claims have been made before. But there are “Behold, the greatest cover-up in human history. Not winners (Paul’s followers, which includes all some surprising truths behind the story of Jesus, only was Jesus Christ married, but He was a father. the official Christian groups today) and the Mary Magdalene, and Leonardo Da Vin- [Mary Magdalene] bore the royal bloodline of Jesus Christ..” (p 249) world of the losers (those who were ci." (Primetime, airdate 11/03/03) “Mary Magdalene was pregnant at the time of the FACT OR FICTION? banned, burned, ostracized, and driven un- crucifixion…With the help of Jesus’ trusted uncle, It is apparent from the author's viewpoint, he is derground). It’s from the world of the losers Joseph of Arimathea [she] secretly traveled to France, hopeful it will be taken as mostly fact. This be- that Joseph and Aseneth emerges.” 7 [where] she found safe refuge in the Jewish communi- comes quite clear from the opening segment of the ty. It was here in France that she gave birth to a In addressing these same claims as made in Primetime special when the author states: "I began daughter. Her name was Sarah.” (p 255) relation to The Da Vinci Code, I wrote, as a skeptic. As I started researching The Da Vinci “The quest for the Holy Grail is literally the quest to “Though these documents were destroyed, Code I really thought I would disprove a lot of this kneel before the bones of Mary Magdalene. A journey theory about Mary Magdalene and holy blood and that they existed certainly had not been to pray at the feet of the outcast one, the sacred swept under the rug. Irenaeus, an early all of that. I became a believer." feminine.” (p.257) Christian theologian and a disciple of Poly- What is it he came to believe? Following are The Grail story is everywhere, but it is hidden. When carp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John, some of the claims made (without any rebuttal, I the Church outlawed speaking of the shunned Mary might add) by characters in his book (bear in mind wrote Against Heresies to address some of Magdalene, her story and importance had to be that the author is, admittedly, a true believer): the heresies of these Gnostic teachings.” 8 passed on through more discreet channels…channels “More than eighty gospels were considered for the that supported metaphor and symbolism…The arts… Foot Notes (Part 1) New Testament…yet only a relative few were chosen Once you open your eyes to the Holy Grail you see 1. The Jesus Family Tomb p. 61 for inclusion…The Bible as we know it today was her everywhere. Paintings. Music. Books. Even in car- 2. Ibid. p. 45 collated by the pagan Roman Emperor Constantine toons, theme parks, and popular movies.” (p. 261) 3. The Lost Gospel p. 157 4. Ibid. p. 160 the Great.” (p.231) These are but a few of the passages that indicate 5. Ibid. pp. X-XI “Nothing in Christianity is original. The pre-Christian 6. robertcargill.com/2014/11/10/review-of-the-lost- what it is the author purports to have set out to gospel-by-jacobovici-and-wilson/ God Mithras – called the Son of God and the Light of disprove by his research but ended up believing. 7. The Lost Gospel p. 283 the World – was born on December 25, died, was 8. The Da Vinci Code: The Facts Behind the Fiction, But how do his “facts” stand up to the historical Bob Waldrep buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three evidence? days. By the way, December 25 is also the birthday of WHAT PRIMETIME UNCOVERED Osiris, Adonis, and Dionysus…Even Christianity’s holy Concerning whether Jesus was married to Mary day was stolen from the pagans.” (p.232) Magdalene, they come to no solid conclusions. “At [the Council of Nicea, 325 AD] many aspects of Bob Waldrep is the President Those interviewed who believe as Brown, tried to Christianity were debated and voted upon – the date and Founder of Crosswinds find Biblical evidence by pointing to the Gospel of Easter, the role of the bishops, the administration Foundation. Bob has written account of Mary trying to touch Jesus after his numerous articles related to of sacraments, and, of course, the divinity of Jesus… resurrection and His telling her to “Stop clinging to cultural apologetics, coauthored until [then he] was viewed by his followers as a mortal me. (John 20:17) Some believe this to be an indica- The Truth Behind the Secret, and prophet…Jesus establishment as the ‘Son of God’ was Spiritual Buffet and is a contrib- officially proposed and voted on by the Council of tion of intimacy indicating the two were married. uting author to: Nicea…A relatively close vote at that.” (p. 233) According to Dr. Darrell Bock of Dallas Theolog- The Popular Encyclopedia of Apologetics and The “From this sprang the most profound moment in ical Seminary this …”was just her single act of de- Complete Evangelism Guidebook. Email Bob at: Christian history. Constantine commissioned and fi- votion given to him without concern about what [email protected] nanced a new Bible, which omitted those gospels that people are thinking about what she is doing.” Continued, p. 4 Page 4 To this Vargas states: “Most other Biblical schol- believe the painting supports the view that Jesus Wasserman: "No it doesn’t." ars we spoke with agree with Darrell Bock’s as- was married but also that he was a feminist due to Vargas: “Why don’t you think so?” sessment. But we did find one who thinks the the way Da Vinci postures the subjects in the Wasserman: “Because it looks like a young male. scene in the garden might point to an intimate painting forming a “V” between Jesus and the fig- I see no breasts. The fact that he has long hair, so relationship between Mary Magdalene and Jesus.” ure to his right (Brown tells us the “V” is an an- does Christ have long hair, so does James the figure Note “most” disagree with this position while they cient symbol for woman). He believes the painting with his arms stretched out, have long hair, so does found but “one” who agreed with it. also gives credence to his belief that Da Vinci was that figure second from the left have long hair.” This one was Father Richard McBrien, PhD of part of a secret society of goddess worshippers, Vargas: “But all the other figures, their faces look the University of Notre Dame who interestingly the Priory of Sion, who were tasked with preserv- distinctly masculine, while John’s looks quite femi- on several occa- ing and protecting the Holy Grail. nine.” sions in the inter- Wasserman: “Yes, the matter of the fact in most view had stated he representations of the Lord’s Supper in Florence he did not believe looks like a, he’s a very, very young man.” Jesus had been Not being able to get Dr. Wasserman to agree it married, even is a woman, the scene immediately cuts to author, relying upon the Dan Brown, who declares: “If you look at that Scripture to sup- painting that is clearly a woman.” port his conclu- Just as Vargas could not find Biblical scholars to sion. On the point support Brown’s belief Jesus was married, neither in question, how- could she find support among art experts that Dr. ever, he concedes Wasserman was incorrect, stating: “We were only that, “If (emphasis able to find one prominent art historian who said added) he [Jesus] he’d long believed the figure might be a woman.” was married it was Vargas now turns to what those who embrace obviously to Mary this theory believe to be their strongest support - Magdalene.” Not quite the overwhelming evidence What seems to have escaped Brown and others legends, conspiracy theories, and the Gnostic gos- that Brown and ABC might have hoped for. who buy into this theory is that Da Vinci was nei- pels. No historical evidence to support this belief Having failed to find proof from within the Bibli- ther present at the Last Supper nor did Jesus and is offered, only theory and conjecture from those cal record, Vargas now examines the assertion the disciples sit for this painting. Even if he, in fact, who hold to it. intentionally placed Mary Magdalene into his paint- that the works of Leonardo Da Vinci support this As part of this segment, (On Gnosticism-See ing that does not make it a historical fact. Nor belief. In his book, Brown’s characters put great previous issue Vol. 7:1) Primetime follows the stock in the works of Da Vinci as evidence that does it explain why John was left out. “story” to France to investigate the legends of the Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene who bore Here is how an eyewitness to the event de- Knights Templars, the Priory of Sion, and other his child and was intended to be the foundation of scribes who participated. “Now when evening had “facts” upon which Brown states his book is the Church and lead it into goddess worship. come, He was reclining at the table with his based. But when Vargas spoke with scholars who Brown is convinced that Da Vinci’s painting of the twelve disciples.” (Matthew 26:20) The author of specialize in the study of the Grail and the so- Last Supper particularly proves this point. this Gospel had earlier identified these twelve called “Secret Societies” and legends that sur- His reasoning, in part, is that Da Vinci includes disciples as: Simon Peter, Andrew, James the son round it, she found the same response as she had Mary Magdalene in the portrait at the right hand of Zebedee, John, Phillip, Bartholomew, Thomas, with Biblical scholars and art historians. of Jesus. While art historians have long recognized Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, (Article Continues in next issue, Vol. 7:2) that individual as the youthful Apostle John, Brown Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot. (Matthew is convinced otherwise. In speaking with Vargas 10:3-4) Obviously, were Matthew to have painted for the Primetime interview he reveals he was first this scene it would not have included Mary Magda- If you are a veteran or exposed to this idea some fifteen years ago while lene and John would definitely have been part of it. service member we attending a class in which the Professor pointed But what did Primetime’s investigation turn up on would like to give you a out that missing from Da Vinci’s painting of the this point? There is a telling scene where Vargas free copy of Invisible Last Supper was a common cup used for the wine. and noted Princeton Professor of Art History, Dr. Scars. Get more info at Brown said he had never noticed this before. Then Jack Wasserman, stand before Da Vinci’s painting invisiblescarsmovie.com the professor told them the cup was in the paint- and the following conversation ensues: A Front Porch Media, ing but it wasn’t a drinking cup, it was a person. Production. Learn Vargas: “Isn’t it possible that is a woman next to more about Front That person he was told was Mary Magdalene who Jesus?” Porch Media at was seated in the painting beside Jesus. Wasserman: “No, of course not.” frontporchmedia.org Brown doesn’t stop there. Not only does he Vargas: “It looks like a woman.” A Ministry of Crosswinds

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