Professor of systematic theology recover an original Christianity presuppositions, and biases can be Robert Strimple, in response to the and its potent message for our traced to his early training and cultic charge that the Gospel writers created times.’’4 indoctrination. Even Tabor admits certain events in their narratives, asks, However, the book does not live up this: ‘‘Are we to believe that the Evange- to its subtitle and its claims. Instead ‘‘All historians come to their lists felt themselves free to alter radi- it offers a lot of speculation and investigations with selective cri- cally the message of and to guessing. In short, Tabor believes teria of judgment forged by both ‘make up’ events that never happened acknowledged and unrecognized during his ministry, even though that his particular refashioning and predisposed interests and cul- there were eyewitnesses still living re-creation of Jesus is a key to the real tural assumptions. There is no who could point out their errors?’’1 Jesus that everyone so far has missed. There are so many caveats in the book absolutely objective place to The subtitle to James Tabor’s book, we have to wonder whether Tabor stand. ... When it comes to the The Jesus Dynasty, reads, ‘‘The Hidden believes his statement that it is ‘‘his- quest for the historical Jesus our History of Jesus, His Royal Family, tory, not fiction’’ or if the whole thing need to be aware of our own and the Birth of Christianity.’’ In the is publisher’s hype. With the success prejudices seems particularly book, Tabor goes so far as to write: of Dan Brown’s reconstruction of acute. ... I stand open to critique 5 ‘‘The Jesus Dynasty presents the Jesus in The Da Vinci Code, one can’t and revision.’’ Jesus story in an entirely new help but wonder if it hasn’t launched What the current biography does light. It is history, not fiction. ... a new bandwagon. not tell us is that Tabor is a 1970 The Jesus Dynasty proposes an TABOR’S OWN graduate of Herbert W. Armstrong’s original version of Christianity, Ambassador College. Though origi- HIDDEN HISTORY long lost and forgotten, but one nally baptized in the Church of that can be reliably traced back The dust jacket of Tabor’s book says Christ, Tabor says he ‘‘was baptized to the founder, Jesus himself.’’2 Tabor is ‘‘Chair of the Department of ... by Tony Hammer around Pass- He also writes: Religious Studies at the University of over’’ into the Worldwide Church of North Carolina at Charlotte. He holds God.6 ‘‘I truly believe that an under- a Ph.D. in biblical studies from the Most are well aware that Armstrong standing of Jesus and his family, and is an ex- and the dynasty that perpetuated led the Worldwide Church of God pert on the and before his death7 his message, is one of the most and taught Sabbath Christian origins.’’ Tabor has written keeping, salvation by law keeping, important keys to completing our a few other books as well. But those and British Israelism. It was a mixture quest to know the historical Jesus weighty academic credentials are not of cultism, Judaism, legalism, and and the origins of Christianity.’’3 the end of the story. mutant Christianity with Armstrong He further claims: the chief prophet and teacher. Tabor himself has a hidden history. ‘‘An understanding of the Jesus Pointing this out leads to the realiza- Tabor became disgruntled after two dynasty opens the way for us to tion that many of Tabor’s views, years at Ambassador College and

4 · The Quarterly Journal July-September 2006 turned his back on the Worldwide sented in this book that conflicts with Noah? 1. Do not Blaspheme Church of God organization, if not all Islam’s basic perception. The prophet God’s name. 2. Do not worship of its teachings. During the decade Mohammed was in contact with idols. 3. Do not commit immoral from 1970 to 1980, Tabor took a Christian groups in Arabia, and there sexual acts. 4. Do not murder. 5. convoluted journey, which he de- is evidence to suppose that the Chris- Do not steal. 6. Do not eat the scribes: tians he met might have been closer flesh of an animal while it is still ‘‘I was exposed to the most in their beliefs to the than to alive. 7. Creation of a judicial 9 radical historical-critical biblical the Western church.’’ Tabor’s Jesus is system. ... Noah - a ‘God-fearer’ - studies and gradually lost all a mix of the Muslim view and Ebion- saved the human race from ex- faith in God, the Bible, or any ite view, which we will examine tinction because he followed this idea of ultimate human purpose. shortly. ancient path. Noah entered into the Kingdom of Heaven without I was reading, during all that One of the more well-known lead- the aid of a mediator. As the time, dozens of books on phi- ers of B’nai Noah is Vendyl Jones: losophy, science, psychology, etc. specifically states that I would characterize myself as a ‘‘Vendyl Jones, who once served ‘Noah found grace in the eyes of romanticized, bohemian, existen- Baptist pastorates, has renounced God’ and not in the eyes of a tialist, nihilist — basically a fol- his Christian faith (though he mediator - and so this can apply lower of Freud and Nietzsche. ... continues to minister!). He be- to you today! ... All you have to Just about two years ago, for lieves that the New Testament is do is ask God’s forgiveness. God reasons it is difficult to fully a fraud contrived by the Catholic will forgive you if you ask Him explain, I began to turn back church in the fourth century and follow the laws with the toward some kind of theism, and from collections of apostolic writ- right intent. The God of Noah, gradually, toward faith once ings with the intention of replac- Abraham, and Israel is awaiting again in the God of the Bible, ing Judaism. After moving for a for all descendants of Noah to and even in the Bible itself, but time to Israel, divorcing his wife return back to the Ark. ... Many in a non-fundamentalist way. ... I (leaving five children), and tak- are called but few choose the 12 don’t like labels, neither Jewish ing a younger Israeli wife, he original God-made path.’’ (which I am certainly not), nor started the B’nai Noach (‘‘Chil- An e-mail correspondence was sent Christian (since I think what dren of Noah’’) movement. This to Tabor to ask if he was still associ- Jesus of Nazareth was all about group seeks ostensibly to teach ated and active with B’nai Noah. No has so precious little to do with Torah to Christians but in answer was received before this ar- Christianity).’’8 fact has disrupted local churches ticle was published. and attempted to make church Tabor can say that Jesus had ‘‘pre- members convert to Judaism. ... SUMMING IT UP cious little to do with Christianity’’ He stated that the New Testa- Tabor’s main scenario of a Jesus because he has constructed a subjec- ment, Jesus, and the idea of the family dynasty through James is not tive and speculative idea of what Triunity of God are all false. He really new at all, but by his own early Christianity was like, and fabri- maintains that ‘Jews are saved admission is the borrowed story line cated a Jesus who may have had a through the Abrahamic covenant, of the Ebionites with a number of his Roman soldier as a father. not Jesus!’’’10 own additions. From the standpoint B’NAI WHO? Jones also claims to know the loca- of historic and orthodox Christianity, It also appears that Tabor’s more tion of the . the Ebionites were severely heretical, but from Tabor’s perspective: recent history has been hidden as In 1991, the Post reported well. He acknowledges that in the that J. David Davis and James Tabor ‘‘They were known subsequently generally understood sense, he cer- visited Israel to promote B’nai Noah by the term ‘Ebionites,’ which tainly is not a Christian. That is teachings.11 meant in Hebrew ‘poor ones.’ because Tabor is fully identified with Eusebius knows of them, though The ‘‘General Introduction To B’nai and has been a spokesman for an he considers them heretics in Noah,’’ says: obscure cult called B’nai Noah. They contrast to the Christian ortho- are also known as the Noahide group ‘‘The B’nai Noah observe seven doxy that he championed. or the Rainbow Covenant group. This general and basic command- Among his charges was that the group has activities and conferences ments. These commandments Ebionites made Jesus a ‘plain and in Israel aiming to provide ecumenical were given to Adam, the first ordinary man,’ born naturally fodder for Jews, Christians, and Mus- God-fearer, and to the biblical from ‘Mary and her husband.’ lims. character Noah, and are still fol- Eusebius further stated that the It is, therefore, not surprising to lowed by those looking for a Ebionites insisted on observance read Tabor admitting that ‘‘there is place in the World to Come. ... of the Jewish law or Torah and little about the view of Jesus pre- What are the Seven Laws of that they maintained that salva-

July-September 2006 The Quarterly Journal · 5 tion was by ‘works’ as well as There is a Q source, which no one has OSSU WHAT? faith, as the letter of James af- ever seen, that supposedly is an firms. The Ebionites rejected the original gospel underneath the Gos- Ossuaries were limestone boxes that letters of the apostle Paul and pels. Tabor acts as if he knows the held the bones of the dead after the considered him an apostate from exact wording of this imaginary flesh had completely decayed, usually the original faith. They used only source.14 in about a year. These small boxes a Hebrew version of the gospel were as long as the longest bone and Tabor reveals his affinity for gnostic of Matthew — now lost to us about half as wide as long. The bone teaching when he calls the so-called other than in fragments. Euse- boxes were usually placed in family Gospel of Thomas ‘‘clearly the most bius, allied with the emperor tombs. Space constraints might have precious lost Christian document dis- Constantine, who had turned to driven the practice when extended covered in the last two thousand Christianity himself by A.D. 325, families needed more compact burial years.’’15 To call this gnostic fragment classified each of these Ebionite space. Hellenistic influence and the views as heretical. And yet ironi- a ‘‘Christian document’’ is outland- preserving of individual identities 16 rather than being merged into the cally, their views are grounded ish. It is not a ‘‘gospel,’’ was not ancestral collective may be another in the teachings of Jesus himself, written by Thomas, and is not Chris- reason for ossuaries.19 and that tradition passed on by tian. The gnostics did not even think of themselves as Christians. his brothers.’’13 Ossuaries were used in the ancient Tabor also believes that Jesus was The gnostics, who wrote long after world during the Hellenistic period. an ordinary man and dismisses any Christ’s death, resurrection, and They have been discovered in Egypt, Scripture that disagrees with this view. Like the ‘‘scholars’’ of The Jesus Seminar, Tabor picks and chooses what verses belong in the original Bible — apparently those that he Tabor reveals his affinity for agrees with — and what verses were added much later — apparently those Gnostic teaching when he calls he disagrees with. DEJÁ VU DA VINCI CODE the so-called Gospel of Thomas Tabor’s reconstruction of Jesus’ life ‘‘clearly the most precious lost reads as such: Jesus was not born of a virgin. His father might have been a Roman soldier. Joseph married Mary Christian document discovered anyway and died early on. Then Mary married Joseph’s brother. Jesus be- in the last two thousand years.’’ came a follower of and saw John as greater than Himself. However, John was killed and Jesus, by default, had to take the leadership. ascension, displayed in their writings Northern Africa, and Israel, approxi- Jesus then was crucified on the Mount how anti-Christian they were. The mately 300-100 B.C. and even beyond of Olives and hastily buried there. His early Church soundly refuted and A.D. 70, though there was a dramatic body was soon moved, accounting for rejected gnosticism in all of its mutant increase of use in the Jerusalem area the empty tomb. Jesus was reburied, strains. Gnostics generally taught that during the reign of . perhaps in Jerusalem or maybe in God was unknowable, matter was This was probably due to the exten- Galilee near Safed. His Davidic dy- evil, Christ was not divine, and He sive quarrying for the temple, great nasty was turned over to His family, certainly was not the Savior of the amounts of cut limestone, and the namely in the person of James His world.17 number of stone masons available.20 brother who ruled the Church from Yet not everything in Tabor’s book Jerusalem. Later it was Simon, an- Having at least an introductory is suspect. He actually alerts us to other brother, who headed the dy- acquaintance with ossuaries will help some recent and intriguing archaeo- nasty. us grasp part of Tabor’s premise as logical discoveries. The Tomb of the we move through his book. Also one Paul, filled with Greek/Hellenistic Shroud located in the Hinnom Valley, need take into account three major ideas, began to promote a celestial south of the Old City of Jerusalem, considerations as we look at The Jesus reveals much about first-century life Christ and the idea of Jesus’ deity was Dynasty: fabricated by later Christians who and burial practices.18 When and made up various contradictory gos- where Tabor stays with the facts, he is 1. The Tentative Nature of Tabor’s pels from a corrupted oral tradition. informative. material. Tabor’s book is filled with

6 · The Quarterly Journal July-September 2006 what can be labeled as fall-back lan- City. The tomb had been uncov- reported to the public? Was there guage. His use of constant caveats ered when TNT was detonated some type of cover-up due to the strongly suggests that he is either by a construction crew putting shocking contents of the tomb?’’41 up a new apartment complex. uncertain or that he needs a back Like The Da Vinci Code author Dan Israeli archaeologist Joseph Gath, door if academic colleagues press Brown, Tabor is contriving a con- him. now deceased, excavated it quickly so the construction could spiracy for effect. The tomb was so Consider his escape language: ‘‘pre- proceed.’’36 uneventful and so unsensational that sumably,’’21 ‘‘the gospels imply,’’22 it added very little to archaeological ‘‘possibilities,’’23 ‘‘inconclusive,’’24 There were ten ossuaries. Six had research. There certainly was no ‘‘possibility of it,’’25 ‘‘it is impossible names inscribed on the outside and cover-up, and we know when it was to prove,’’26 ‘‘was likely buried,’’27 four were plain. There was a Joseph, discovered. ‘‘new evidence might emerge,’’28 two Marys, Jude son of Jesus, Mat- thew, and a Jesus son of Joseph. NOT REALLY NEW ‘‘One might assume,’’29 and ‘‘One has Before we jump to unbiblical conclu- to assume.’’30 Moreover, Tabor was not the first to sions, as did Tabor, we must realize call attention to the . It At one point, Tabor says of history that there is no exact dating for the was reported soon after it was that it involves an attempt ‘‘to retrieve Talpiot Tomb and the span could run opened. Joseph Gath released a public 31 and imagine a past’’ and ‘‘at this more than 150 years. The above report in Hebrew in 1980, immedi- point there is no proof’’ and that names were so common that even ately following its discovery. The ‘‘evidence might come to light.’’32 Tabor has to admit such a grouping is ossuaries were cataloged in Levi Rah- ‘‘inconclusive.’’37 These kinds of phrases are used mani’s Catalog in 1994, and available repeatedly and things he proposes are There is no way to know the exact to the public for study. Rahmani’s possible or probable, but not certain. relationship of the Marys to the oth- Catalog of ossuaries is one of the He goes on to say that ‘‘there is ers. Were they married to any of the ‘‘bibles’’ for ossuary study. He has much we can never know,’’ ‘‘some men? Siblings to any? Parents? Off- cataloged almost 900 ossuaries. The areas we are left to guess or specu- spring? Aunts? No one knows. Mary actual Talpiot ossuaries are available late,’’ and that his explanation ‘‘seems was the most common female name to scholars and can be seen in Beth in that period and Joseph the second reasonable’’ and ‘‘might have taken Shemesh, along with many others. most common male name. The name place.’’33 But Tabor is not finished, he Jesus, or Yeshua, also was very com- In 1996, the BBC aired an Easter adds ‘‘there is evidence to suppose’’ special on the Talpiot tomb. So even 34 mon. There was another ‘‘Jesus son of and ‘‘might have been.’’ Based on Joseph’’ ossuary discovered in Jerusa- to the English-speaking world, the this, no one should take this book lem around 1926.38 Yet no serious information has been available for seriously or think it offers objective scholar suggested it belonged to Jesus more than a decade. Also in 1996, a and sure conclusions. It is not true of Nazareth. detailed report on the tomb with history or even true archaeology. drawings was released by Amos Tabor quotes Amos Kloner, who Kloner. The report shows the discov- The same James whom Tabor claims published a report on the Talpiot ery as uneventful and Kloner con- to hold in high esteem said, ‘‘But let tomb. Kloner maintained that the cludes, ‘‘This burial cave was prob- your ‘Yes,’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘‘possibility of it being Jesus’ family ably used for three or four genera- ‘No,’ lest you fall into judgment’’ 39 [is] very close to zero.’’ And Tabor tions.’’42 The exact relationship be- (James 5:12). himself admits that ‘‘it is impossible tween the occupants of the tomb is MYSTERY! to prove that this particular tomb was impossible to determine. related to Jesus of Nazareth.’’40 Yet This now takes the reader into a Tabor somehow wants us to believe it Craig Evans’ informative book, Jesus major campaign of Tabor’s book: might be, or that there just might be a and the Ossuaries, has an entire chapter what Tabor calls ‘‘The Mystery of the Jesus family tomb in Jerusalem some- called ‘‘Significant Ossuaries for Re- Talpiot Tomb.’’35 However, there re- where. It is an amazing exercise search in the Historical Jesus.’’43 Tal- ally is nothing mysterious about the without an outcome. The bottom line piot is not even mentioned. tomb’s find, its location, or its con- seems to be to get our minds accus- There is no reason to think there tents. There are many unanswered tomed to the idea that there might be would be a family tomb of Jesus in questions that Tabor admits simply a tomb of Jesus somewhere in Israel. Jerusalem. A family from Nazareth because there was not enough evi- Tabor works hard to inject a bit of would have its tomb in Galilee. Ar- dence in situ to answer those ques- sensationalism and mystery around chaeologist Gordon Franz writes: tions. the Talpiot tomb: ‘‘According to early tradition, Tabor begins his story this way: ‘‘The questions mounted: When Joseph was buried in Nazareth. ‘‘The tomb was in East Talpiot, had the tomb been discovered? ... Early tradition also places just south of Jerusalem’s Old Why had it not been immediately Mary’s burial in Nazareth. ...

July-September 2006 The Quarterly Journal · 7 However, there is a 5th century nearby birthplace. No one knows for there is no proof that John him- AD tradition that places her sure what the figure represents or self actually used the cave, lo- tomb in the Kidron Valley near when it was put there or that John cated more than five kilometres Gethsemane. ... The ossuary con- ever knew of the cave or ever visited from the New Testament taining the bones of ‘Yeshua’ it.46 The Scriptures are clear and preacher’s hometown of Ein (704) could not be that of Jesus of unequivocal that John baptized in the Kerem, now part of Jerusalem. Nazareth for two reasons. First, River east of Ein Karem, many However, both Tabor and [Shi- the New Testament is very clear, miles away. There is no dispute that mon] Gibson agreed that the wall Jesus bodily rose from the dead. the area of the wilderness that was his carvings — which depict a man Since His flesh did not see cor- ground for ministry was not the lush wearing animal skins and hold- ruption (Ps. 16:8-11; Acts 2:25- green hilly area of Ein Karem. ing a staff — tell the story of 32), there could be no need for an John the Baptist. The carvings are In 2004, Shimon Gibson’s book, The ossuary. Second, ossuary No. 702 believed to have been made by Cave of John the Baptist, made a big contained the bones of ‘Yehuda, monks in the fourth or fifth splash because of the title and its the son of Yeshua.’ Apparently century.’’50 the Yeshua of ossuary No. 704 subtitle, which claimed, ‘‘The Stun- had a son named Yehuda. Again ning Archaeological Discovery That Tabor just cannot seem to let go of a the gospels are clear, Jesus never Has Redefined Christian History.’’ good tale: The book did not live up to the hype. married and never had chil- ‘‘Since the discovery of this 44 The book fell flat and Gibson offered dren.’’ amazing site I have naturally no evidence whatsoever that the cave What makes little sense in the Tabor wondered whether John the Bap- had anything to do with John the tizer himself might have come to scenario is the hasty burial story he Baptist in the first century. proposes with the body of Jesus later this cave. Clearly, short of an being moved. A Roman decree existed Tabor tries to present a case that inscription, which we did not find, that can never be proven. at that time making it a capital crime even Jesus used the cave for baptisms. However, it is far from unlikely to desecrate a tomb and move a In a section called ‘‘The ‘Lost Years’ of 47 and may even be probable.’’51 body.45 The already fearful disciples John,’’ he strongly suggests the use would hardly want to add a capital of the cave by John and Jesus. In a THE MAN BEHIND later section, ‘‘Jesus in Judea,’’48 Tabor crime to their resume just for a THE THEORY defunct hope and a corpse. Joseph of reverts totally to evasive language Aramathea would not have inter- and imagination: Tabor also seems to relish introduc- vened had there already been a family ‘‘I remember sitting outside the ing radical theories just for the sake of tomb in Jerusalem; Mary and the cave late one afternoon at sunset being novel. For instance, he writes beloved disciple would have taken trying to imagine what could that, ‘‘A more likely site for Jesus’ care of the burial arrangements. Ta- have occurred. Was it possible crucifixion is on the Mount of Olives, 52 bor’s material is so speculative and that Peter, James, John, and the east of the city.’’ He offers neither tentative that no one should believe other apostles, and maybe even historical nor archaeological evidence his conclusions. Jesus’ mother and brothers, had for this assertion. His references, ‘‘the stood on this very ground and Babylonian Yoma 68a; Mish- 2. The Deceptive Nature of Tabor’s 53 entered this very cave? ... Our nah 6:1,’’ written long Material. Tabor makes much of a Suba cave might well have been a after Christ, do not buttress the case cave discovered in 1999 by Shimon central staging ground for Jesus’ and do not say that Jesus was cruci- Gibson. The cave is west of Jerusalem preaching and baptism campaign fied on the Mount of Olives. They near Ein Karem. The cave also is in late A.D. 27. That afternoon I only speak of the red heifer and the referred to as the Suba Cave. It is found it easy to imagine Jesus and scapegoat. Unless Talmudic materials, about 70 feet long by 12 feet wide and his followers at the Suba cave.’’49 which postdate second temple times, 12 feet high. can be verified by earlier history and This seems to be an exercise in hard archaeological discoveries, they Ein Karem is the traditional birth- turning from the truth to fables. cannot be offered as firm proof. place of John the Baptist. The cave, However, there were no ifs, maybes, originally dug hundreds of years be- mights, or imaginative scenarios in There is far more historical evidence fore Jesus, is an ancient cistern that August 2004 when Tabor himself in- for the Church of the Holy Sepulcher may have been used by the Byzantine as the crucifixion site, but even that is formed the Canadian Broadcasting monks (A.D. 300-400) for shelter and far from absolute. Tabor writes that Corporation that he was skeptical cleansing rituals. There is a stick Jesus ‘‘was hastily and temporarily about the cave: figure scratched into the wall that buried in an unknown tomb.’’54 The archaeologist Shimon Gibson suggests ‘‘James Tabor, who participated tomb is unknown today, but was may be associated with John the in the excavation with some of known to His followers (Luke 23:55). Baptist, given the tradition of his his students, is skeptical. He feels Neither Tabor nor anyone else can

8 · The Quarterly Journal July-September 2006 state that Jesus was buried on the ing the words differently can GOD’S GIVING BIRTH Mount of Olives or temporarily, de- give some evidence on their side. spite the inclusion in his book of ‘‘a As stated before, almost all the Tabor throws out a red herring that, 1st-century empty tomb on the Mount words used in the description of ‘‘This idea of humans being fathered of Olives.’’55 the location and manner of by gods is quite common in Greco- Christ’s crucifixion are capable of Roman culture. There was a whole Tabor has borrowed this whole double interpretations — even host of heroes who were said to be scenario from Ernest Martin, a former triple or more meanings! This is the product of a union between their Worldwide Church of God fellow the irony of the whole affair. It mother and a god.’’59 Here he is traveler. In the 1980s, Martin released shows that God is capable of suggesting that early Christians just a detailed study of his ideas based on revealing absolutely, yet he can got confused and fell into mythology vigorous text-twisting and heavy ty- also conceal absolutely simply by and legendary thinking. Neither the pology. Martin’s paper has to do with choosing words to describe the Bible nor early Christians ever sug- the scapegoat being released over the events which can be differently gested that Christ was the product of Mount of Olives, east to the wilder- interpreted!’’56 an intimate relationship of God with ness to die. To really press the typol- Mary. The cohabiting of gods in ogy, Jesus would have had to die in So if the Bible’s words have two or Greek mythology is quite unlike the the wilderness somewhere near the three meanings and God conceals the annunciation story. The Bible is very Dead Sea. Martin identified the meaning, then Martin would have us discreet as it speaks of a miracle Mount of Olives as being ‘‘without believe only he can tell us what the created within Mary by the Holy the camp’’ (Hebrews 13:11), or outside words really mean. Spirit. Any suggestion otherwise is a the gate (v. 12). As with Tabor, Martin’s view is not gross distortion of the Bible’s teach- What is the point of Hebrews 13:11- really a ‘‘new explanation,’’ but one ings and Christian belief. 12 and the mention of Christ’s sacri- concocted by R.F. Hutchinson in the fice outside the temple and city? The 1870s. It was ignored by the scholarly The only modern group that comes point is not location, but identifica- community and fell into oblivion until close to that kind of thinking is the tion. Where Christ was crucified is Martin tried to revive it. Latter-day Saints (Mormons). Former certainly not as important as why and Tabor does not go as far as Martin Mormon President Joseph Fielding its impact on us. Jesus identified with with the wilder typology. Martin con- Smith claimed that, ‘‘Christ was be- the ancient sacrifices and fulfilled tends that Jesus and the two thieves gotten of God. He was not born them, being willing to suffer and die were all together crucified on the without the aid of Man, and that Man away from the temple. Now we who same tree trunk. This way they could was God!’’60 identify with Him should also be look like a candelabra or Menorah All the tentative language in the willing to identify with His rejection with their arms extended up (though world cannot mute where Tabor tries as verse 13 declares: ‘‘therefore let us in crucifixion they were extended to take us. Chapter 3 is titled, ‘‘An go forth to Him outside the camp out), as well as look like and be a Unnamed Father of Jesus?’’ Here Ta- bearing His reproach.’’ We are not symbol of an almond tree, which bor alleges that later Christians tried represents the tree of life. He never called to go to the place of His to ‘‘‘fix’ the scandal’’61 of Mary by explains why this typology is impor- sacrifice, but to boldly identify with altering Bible texts. Tabor leads his tant.57 Christ beyond the confines of the readers further along: Jewish order. Martin made it all about 3. The Distasteful Nature of Tabor’s ‘‘So, if Jesus’ father was not location and made nothing of the Material. Not only is Jesus denigrated Joseph, who might it possibly main point of identification, which is and reduced to a failed Messiah, but the whole thrust of the context. Mary is seriously maligned. Tabor is have been? And what circum- correct when he says: stances led Mary to being ac- It is truly amazing what Martin cused of fornication and labeled does with Bible verses to fit his ‘‘For millions of Christians any a ‘whore’? In terms of any his- scenario. Somehow the Mount of suggestion that Jesus was con- torical certainty we probably will Olives becomes ros or ‘‘head’’ from ceived through the normal pro- never know. If we were filling 2 Samuel 15:30, 32, which he quickly cess of human sexual reproduc- out Jesus’ birth certificate we shapes into the place of the skull. tion, even if somehow sanctified would have to put down ‘father Patching verses together, Martin tries by God, is viewed as scandalous unknown.’ But the case is not 58 to form them into a shape to fit his if not outright heresy.’’ entirely closed. There are stories theory. He, at times, selectively takes Tabor then writes that we have two and rumors that circulated quite secondary meanings of Greek words choices: either Joseph or some un- early, and there is a name — to try to make a point. An example: named man was the father. Later, he Pantera — that seems to crop up ‘‘So, if people wish to deny our names the ‘‘unnamed man’’ and sug- here and there with some consis- new explanation, then interpret- gests he has found his grave. tency.”62

July-September 2006 The Quarterly Journal · 9 Tabor says there is no certainty and the math on Deissmann’s dates, The idea of a miracle birth was not we will probably never know because Pantera would have had to have been unfamiliar to Jewish thinking. The there are ‘‘stories and rumors.’’ Tabor five years old or younger when he birth of the patriarch Isaac had a then produces a name. The next met Mary or, as Tabor later suggests, miracle element attached to it: ‘‘And section of the book is titled, ‘‘The raped Mary.70 Based on Tabor’s ‘‘mid the LORD visited Sarah as He had Mystery of Pantera Solved.’’63 to late 1st century’’ date, Pantera may said, and the LORD did for Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived and Tabor begins in A.D. 178, almost not even have been born, let alone bore Abraham a son in his old age, at 200 years after the birth of Christ, and cohabited with Mary in 6-7 B.C., the actual year of Jesus’ birth. the set time that God had spoken to quotes an anti-Christian work called him. And Abraham called the name On the True Doctrine written by the In his 535-page book, Light From the of his son who was born to him — Greek philosopher Celsus. At least we Ancient East, Deissmann gives just whom Sarah bore to him — Isaac’’ know where Tabor is coming from: three-quarters of a page to the Pantera (Genesis 21:1-3, emphasis added). He trusts pagan writers, but not the inscription, which demonstrates that Gospel writers. He references the he must have considered it insignifi- Hebrew linguists Keil and Delitzsch call this ‘‘a miracle of grace ... the Babylonian Talmud and other ques- cant. He says it was a common promise of God and the pledge of its tionable sources for Jesus, son of Roman name and appeared in late fulfillment on the one hand, and the Panteri, though he admits the word Jewish tradition ‘‘for the purposes of and its meaning are obscure and has 71 incapacity of Abraham for begetting Jewish polemics.’’ What this means children, and of Sarah for bearing various spellings including ‘‘Pantira, is simply that later Judaism made up Pandera, Pantiri, Panteri.’’64 He also them, on the other; and through this a story of Jesus possibly being name, Isaac was designated as the gives no Talmudic context for the fathered by a Roman soldier. reference to Jesus, son of Panteri. fruit of omnipotent grace working All of Tabor’s ramblings and against and above the forces of Tabor quotes historian Adolph imagined stories are very distasteful nature.’’72 Deissmann, who published an article and it is unfortunate to have to even on inscriptions from the first century In Hebrews 11 we find that Sarah’s address them. He certainly is opposed that used the name Pantera/Panthera. faith is applauded, ‘‘By faith Sarah to the virgin conception — or miracu- Deissmann noted that a Pantera ‘‘had herself also received strength to con- lous conception — of Jesus, more ceive seed, and she bore a child when died in the middle of the 1st century commonly called the Virgin Birth. she was past the age, because she A.D. and had come to Germany from judged Him faithful who had prom- Palestine.’’65 Tabor learned the tomb- Certainly the Bible gives us reason ised’’ (v. 11). The Jewish mind may stone was in Germany. He then to believe that Jesus was conceived by have been accustomed to the idea of a muses about going there: and born to a virgin. For all the miracle birth. Rabbinic teaching ‘‘Was it remotely possible that I debate over Isaiah 7:14 and the allowed for at least miraculous would soon be standing before Hebrew word almah, or virgin, the revitalization of the Matriarchs to what might be an authentic relic New Testament settles the issue when conceive.73 of the family of Jesus?’’66 Matthew uses the Greek word parthenos and says, ‘‘Behold the virgin Robin Griffith-Jones explores the He then asks, ‘‘Is it remotely plau- shall conceive and bear a son and Gospels and suggests that Jesus is sible that among all the thousands of they shall call His name Immanuel, presented in Matthew as the new and tomb inscriptions of the period that which is translated ‘God with us’’’ greater Moses. The many parallels are this might be the tombstone of Jesus’ (Matthew 1:23). striking. Of the many comparisons to father?’’67 The short answer for the Moses, Griffith-Jones points out a Christian is that it was not even Luke confirms as well that Mary Jewish birth story of Moses and then remotely plausible or possible. was a virgin (Luke 1:27). When the compares it to Jesus’ birth in Mat- angel gives the message that, ‘‘The thew. It regards Moses and his father: DOING THE MATH Holy Spirit will come upon you, and ‘‘‘Amram, a well-born Israelite,’ the power of the Highest will over- Recalling that Deissmann said said Josephus, ‘fearing that his Pantera had died in the ‘‘middle of shadow you’’ (1:35), any Jewish mind whole nation would be extin- the 1st century,’’ Tabor says that would understand this as a creative guished, and anxious for himself, Pantera died ‘‘at age sixty-two.’’68 act of God. Additionally, every Jew- for his wife was pregnant, was at Tabor also reveals that Pantera’s ish mind would have had to connect a loss what to do; he prayed for tombstone and the ‘‘other nine tomb- Genesis 1 and the Spirit hovering over God’s help on his people.’ We stones appear to date from around the the waters in creation. Jesus was the hear in other stories that the Jews same period — mid to late 1st century beginning of a new creation. This in Egypt gave up all marital A.D., based on the coin evidence creative act of God is alluded to in relations — anything to prevent found in the cemetery.’’69 Jesus was Hebrews 10:5, ‘‘a body You have the birth of children that Pharaoh born in 6-7 B.C., so if one just does prepared for Me.’’ would murder. The Jews’ re-

10 · The Quarterly Journal July-September 2006 straint, of course, could have Now with the discovery and trans- and their great ones exercise authority prevented the birth of just the lation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the over them. Yet it shall not be so among one child that they needed; proliferation of knowledge of first- you; but whoever desires to become Moses himself. There is in one century Judaism, the theories of Bult- great among you shall be your ser- version of this story a clue that mann have been discredited. Messi- vant’’ (Mark 10:42-43 emphasis God himself ensured Moses’ anic ideas were part of the fabric of added). Jesus’ kingdom was the oppo- birth by a miraculous conception. Judaism during the time of Jesus. A site of this world. Not dynasty, but Moses and Jesus may have even suffering Messiah was certainly in the ministry. Not rule, but cross-bearing. more in common than at first thought processes of many Jews as Not lording it over others, but loving appears.’’74 shown by the Thanksgiving Scroll.79 and serving others. Surely the Gospels must have been Just like Bultmann, Tabor relegates Tabor seems to think that James circulating early since in A.D. 105 much of the material in the Gospels to took precedence and became the ruler Ignatius declared Jesus ‘‘was truly the Byzantine era. He assigns less to of the dynasty, but it was James who born of a virgin.’’75 The early Church the early Hebrew Christians in Israel condemned exalting the rich and and the early Church Fathers were all and the few things left are attributed mighty and called partiality sin. Ac- on board as far as the Virgin Birth. to Jesus. Bultmann taught in his cording to James 2:1-9, the idea of a Justin (A.D. 160) echoed Igna- principle of form criticism that oral ruling dynasty would prove people to tius, stating, ‘‘We even affirm that He tradition about Jesus, passed down be transgressors of God’s law. He also was born of a virgin.’’76 for generations, became corrupted. In asserted, ‘‘God resists the proud, but fact, Bultmann concluded that we can gives grace to the humble’’ (4:6). Irenaeus, in A.D. 180, said Christ know almost nothing about the life of ‘‘humbled Himself to be born of a So we are to believe that verses 77 Jesus. All of Tabor’s speculations are virgin.’’ He also said that it was driven by Bultmann’s presuppositions which are a problem to Tabor were heretics who denied it. Clement of that a few stories of Jesus were insertions into the Bible centuries after Alexandria (A.D. 195) believed ‘‘He handed down orally for many years the fact by misguided Christians. who made the universe — assumed and became seriously flawed. The With the discovery in Alexandria, flesh and was conceived in the vir- post-apostolic Church corrupted them Egypt, of ancient P fragments, the text 78 gin’s womb.’’ This is the universal further by adding ecclesiastical mate- of the Bible is virtually being pushed voice of the historic orthodox faith rial and mythology. The core assump- to the doorstep of the authors of the that we call Christianity. tion of Bultmann and Tabor seems to New Testament.81 ANOTHER MAN be that there were no eyewitnesses to Tabor plays a selective game with BEHIND THE THEORY Jesus. So we are to believe that the Scripture. The verses he disagrees entire Church, after the first century, with are brushed off as later inser- If we use Tabor’s tactics, we can was involved in either massive delu- tions. This surely is not scholarship or selectively and subjectively dismiss sion or deception. They just made up objectivity, but sleight of hand mak- any verse that does not agree with events — and the world bought it. ing Tabor the sole arbiter of truth. It is what we are trying to teach. This way Even if there was a long period of a subjective exercise. Many of the we make the Bible say anything we oral transmission (and we do not so-called ‘‘Jesus scholars’’ do this and want. We can torture the Bible to believe there was), why would we then try to tell us that though the make it confess what we wish. We assume it was corrupted? New Testament cannot be trusted, the could say, as Tabor often does, that With the explosion of archaeology much later, heretical gnostic writings certain verses in the New Testament in Israel, especially in Jerusalem, we can be — because they have said so. not fitting our particular scenario are lightyears beyond Bultmann in were added generations later, but that New studies of the texts of the New terms of knowledge about Jesus and Testament by Carsten Thiede and would be dishonest. 80 first-century Judea. others indicate that Matthew’s Gospel This all smacks of the obsolete NO DYNASTY HERE dates to roughly A.D. 60. Before his theories of existentialist theologian death, Thiede was calling for a re- Rudolph Bultmann (1884-1976). Bult- The word ‘‘dynasty’’ may fit the evaluation and redating of the New mann, a German higher critic who Herods, but not Jesus. It may fit the Testament text. Scholarly research is lectured at Marburg, said that the Maccabean priests and kings, but not indicating a completion of the entire idea of a suffering servant Messiah Jesus. It may fit Roman emperors, but New Testament before A.D. 90, and was unknown in first-century Juda- certainly not Jesus. Jesus said that His some for a completion before the ism. Therefore, Bultmann said, refer- kingdom was not of this world, but Roman destruction of Jerusalem in ences to Jesus as a suffering Messiah was rather a spiritual rule in hearts. A.D. 70. This certainly is not a closed must have been written generations He spoke about becoming like a child issue.82 later. He did this with many Bible (Mark 10:15). He said, ‘‘You know themes and dismissed the Bible as that those who are considered rulers Thiede’s words are both perceptive untrustworthy. over the lord it over them, and profound:

July-September 2006 The Quarterly Journal · 11 ‘‘One consequence of this ... has Gospel of Thomas: Gnostic Nonsense?”, lishers, 1954, Vol. 1, pg. 18, italics in been the tyranny of theory and The Quarterly Journal, January-March 1995, original. interpretation. If the Gospels are pp. 4, 10-11. 61. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pg. 61. 17. See further, J.D. Douglas, general 62. Ibid., pg. 63. assumed to be unreliable, then editor, The New 20th Century Encyclopedia 63. Ibid., pp. 64-72. the theorist becomes our only of Religious Knowledge. Grand Rapids, 64. Ibid., pg. 330, note 8. guide to the life of Jesus. It Mich.: Baker Books, 1991, pp. 358-359. 65. Deissmann quoted in ibid., pg. 65. follows from this that almost 18. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pp. 6-15. 66. Ibid., pg. 67. anything can be — and has been 19. See further, Bryon McCane, Roll Back 67. Ibid., pg. 70. — said about Jesus. If Jesus was the Stone. Harrisburg, Pa.: Trinity Press, 68. Ibid., pg. 69. not an Essene, then he was a 2003, pp. 8-15, 40-47, 53-55. 69. Ibid. 20. See further, Craig Evans, Jesus and the 70. Ibid., pg. 70. Buddhist; or a protofeminist and Ossuaries. Waco, : Baylor Press, 2003, 71. Adolph Deissmann, Light From the worshipper of the goddess pp. 28-30. Ancient East. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker ‘Sophia’; or a Marxist revolution- 21. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pg. 24. Book House, 1978, pg. 73. ary; or a politically correct left- 22. Ibid. 72. C.F. Keil and F. Delitzsch, Commentary winger who would feel at home 23. Ibid., pg. 25. on the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: on a university campus. It does 24. Ibid. William B. Eerdmans Publishing Com- not take much imagination to see 25. Ibid. pany, 1985, Vol. 1, The Pentateuch, pg. 26. Ibid., pg. 27. 243. that excessive use of theory 27. Ibid., pg. 33. 73. See further, Gerhard Kittel, Theological makes us see Jesus as we want to 28. Ibid. Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand see him, as a reflection of us, not as 29. Ibid., pg. 151. Rapids, Mich: William B. Eerdmans he was.’’83 30. Ibid., pg. 152. Publishing Company, 1979, Vol. 5, pg. 31. Ibid., pg. 305, emphasis added. 835. Endnotes: 32. Ibid. 74. Robin Griffith-Jones, The Four Wit- 1. Robert B. Strimple, The Modern Search 33. Ibid., pg. 308. nesses. San Francisco: Harper, 2000, pp. for the Real Jesus. Phillipsburg, N.J.: P&R 34. Ibid., pg. 316. 124-125. Publishing, 1995, pg. 150. 35. Ibid., pg. 22. 75. David Bercot, A Dictionary of Early 2. James D. Tabor, The Jesus Dynasty.New 36. Ibid., pg. 24. Christian Beliefs. Peabody, Mass.: Hen- York: Simon and Schuster, 2006, pg. 4. 37. Ibid., pg. 25. drickson Publishers, 1998, pg. 670. 3. Ibid., pg. 317. 38. Jesus and the Ossuaries, op. cit., pg. 94. 76. Ibid. 4. Ibid., pg. 311. 39. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pp. 25-26. 77. Ibid. 5. Ibid., pp. 316, 317. 40. Ibid., pg. 27. 78. Ibid. 6. ‘‘James D. Tabor’s Genesis 2000,’’ Am- 41. Ibid., pg. 23. 79. See further, James Fleming, The Messi- bassador Report, March 1989, pg. 11. Docu- 42. Amos Kloner, ‘‘A Tomb with Inscribed anic Idea in Israel. LaGrange, Ga.: Biblical ment also available at: http://thepainful Ossuaries in East Talpiyot, Jerusalem,’’ Resources, 2004; Israel Knohl, The Messiah truth.org/ar/AR41.html. Atiqot XXIX, 1996, pg. 21. Before Jesus - The Suffering Servant of the 7. See further, Peter Ditzel, ‘‘The Two 43. Jesus and the Ossuaries, op. cit., pp. 91ff. Dead Sea Scrolls. Los Angeles: University Faces of the Worldwide Church of God,’’ 44. Gordon Franz, ‘‘The Ossuaries of of California Press, 2000; and Michael The Quarterly Journal, January-March 1997, Joseph, Mary and Jesus Rediscovered in Wise, The First Messiah. San Francisco: pp. 5-11; and Peter Ditzel, ‘‘Transforming Jerusalem,’’ undated paper, pg. 2, copy on Harper, 1999. the Truth – The Worldwide Church of file. 80. To really understand how far we have God Continues to ‘Make’ History,’’ The 45. Jesus and the Ossuaries, op. cit., pp. come from Rudolph Bultmann, and for Quarterly Journal, July-September 1998, pp. 35-37. insight into post-Bultmannianism and the 5-12. 46. See further, ‘‘Has John the Baptist’s present Jesus Quest, consult The Modern 8. ‘‘James D. Tabor’s Genesis 2000,’’ op. Cave Been Discovered?’’, The Quarterly Search for the Real Jesus, op. cit., and The cit., pg. 12. Journal, January-March 2005, pp. 26-27. Jesus Quest by Ben Witherington III. Both 9. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pp. 315-316. 47. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pp. 129-134. of these works are essential for a historical 10. Randall Price, In Search of Temple 48. Ibid., pp. 149-152. study of Jesus. The most complete and Treasures. Eugene, Ore.: Harvest House 49. Ibid., pg. 152, emphasis added. thorough refutation of Form Criticism and Publishers, 1994, pg. 146. 50. CBC Arts, ‘‘Archaeologists dispute Bultmann was done in 1975 by Josh 11. Haim Shapiro, ‘‘B’nai No’ach Delega- discovery of biblical baptism cave,’’ Aug. McDowell in More Evidence That Demands tion Visits Israel Tora Belt’ Prospers 16, 2004, copy on file. a Verdict, pp. 183-347. Among American Baptists,’’ Jerusalem Post, 51. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pg. 133. 81. See further, Philip Wesley Comfort, July 14, 1991, pg. 2. 52. Ibid., pg. 226. The Quest for the Original Text of the New 12. Billy Jack Dial, ‘‘General Introduction 53. Ibid., pg. 340. Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker to B’nai No’ach.’’ Document available at: 54. Ibid., pg. 228. Books, 1992. www.bnainoach.com/tiki-read_article. 55. Ibid., pg. 229. 82. See further, Carsten Peter Thiede, php?articleId=1. 56. Ernest L. Martin, ‘‘The Place of the Eyewitness to Jesus, Amazing New Manu- 13. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pg. 303. Crucifixion,’’ The Foundation Commentator, script Evidence About the Origin of the 14. See further, Norman L. Geisler, Baker September 1983, pg. 8, italics in original. Gospels. New York: Doubleday, 1996; and Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Grand 57. Ibid., pp. 9-12. Carsten Peter Thiede, The Emmaus Mys- Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1999, ‘‘Q 58. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pg. 59. tery. New York: Continuum, 2005. Document,’’ pp. 618-621. 59. Ibid., pg. 60. 83. Eyewitness to Jesus, op. cit., pg. 161, 15. The Jesus Dynasty, op. cit., pg. 63. 60. Joseph Fielding Smith, Doctrines of emphasis added. 16. See further, G. Richard Fisher, ‘‘The Salvation. Salt Lake City: Bookcraft Pub- g 12 · The Quarterly Journal July-September 2006