A Project Genesis website

Archeology and Jesus

Question

How do you think the recent archaeological discoveries surrounding Jesus and his child’s final resting place is going to affect religion in general?

Answer

I have to admit that I don’t have too much direct information on this issue, but what I have read and heard strongly suggests that the actual evidence is very poor indeed. I’m not saying this in support of the Christian version of history (in fact, I’m not aware of any direct contemporary evidence that Jesus actually ever existed!), but that the details as they’ve been presented appear highly circumstantial and forced. I would personally imagine that, regardless of the quality of the evidence, it was ill-advised to attempt to annoy and insult the Christian community and that there is virtually nothing to gain and much to lose.

Perhaps because I’m a bit cynical about these things, I would doubt that even solid evidence would make much of a change in the world-view of millions of people – it’s not archaeological discoveries that motivate most religious and political convictions in any case. I share your hope that God’s truth will one day soon become universal…

With regards,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton

Follow-up question

Question

I had to respond to your comment about no comtemporary evidence for the historical Jesus. According to the Jesus Seminar which uses textual analysis (biblical and non-biblical), social anthropology, and archaeological evidence — such as the writings of the Flavius Josephus (c. 37–c. 100) a Jew and Roman citizen (Antiquities of the Jews, 20:9.1), evidence suggest that Jesus was a real person. This isn’t to suggest he was a miraculous or divine person, but he was apparently a teacher and social activist who did come to the attention of the Roman occupiers.

Answer

I have to say that I’m not denying the historicity of Jesus (which leaves me with no strong feelings either way) but rather noting that I’m aware of no direct contemporary evidence. Regarding your passage in Josephus, there are some reservations about its context and authenticity (see this, for example). That’s not the last word on the subject, of course, but neither is that passage direct or contemporary (Josephus would barely have been born at Jesus’ death). I’m unaware of how “textual analysis (biblical and non-biblical), social anthropology” could provide “direct contemporary evidence” for anything (although you may correct my ignorance if you like) and I’m simply unfamiliar with the archaeological evidence that’s around.

The bottom line is that I am one person unaware of evidence. That is, however, quite different from asserting confidently that there is no evidence.

With best regards,
Rabbi Boruch Clinton