Skip to main content

Ancient ossuary hints at earliest reference to Jesus


The tiny stone markings fill a space of no more than half an inch. But what they say – and could mean – may speak volumes for our understanding of early Christianity.
Etched into a 2,000-year-old limestone ossuary (bone box) in a tomb in the Jerusalem suburb of Talpiyot, the markings are part of a larger image that has already ignited a war of words among archaeologists, historians and religious thinkers.
Now, a new element seems certain to rekindle the furor: tiny markings encrypted in the head of the “fish” that, according to some epigraphers, spell the name Yonah, the Hebrew version of Jonah.



Be sure to watch -- The Resurrection Tomb Mystery – on Discovery Channel on April 12th

On April 12 Discovery Channel will take a trip into the world of theology with the world premiere specialThe Resurrection Tomb Mystery. In a thrilling CSI-style archeological /theological study, filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici and Professor James B. Tabor, with the permission of the Israeli Antiquities Authority (IAA), use a specialized robotic camera to explore the tomb’s contents, capturing incredible images of early Christian art including a depiction of Jonah being spat out by a whale. This art predates the earliest Christian symbol in the catacombs of Rome by at least 200 years, and is contemporary with Jesus’ apostles.

Tune in Thursday, April 12 at 10 pm Eastern & Pacific – 9pm Central.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Why did they lay their coats at Saul's feet?

The witnesses, laying their coats at the feet of Saul, were the men that would cast the first stones at Stephen in Acts 7. Why did they all lay their coats at Saul’s feet? The Talmud contains a very interesting account of the act of stoning that may provide the answer. “When the trial was over, they take him [the condemned person] out to be stoned. The place of stoning was at a distance from the court, as it is said, ‘Take out the one who has cursed.’ [i] A man stands at the entrance of the court; in his hand is a signaling flag [Hebrew   sudarin = sudar , ‘scarf, sweater’]. A horseman was stationed far away but within sight of him. If one [of the judges] says, ‘I have something [more] to say in his favor,’ he [the signaler] waves the   sudarin , and the horseman runs and stops them [from stoning him]. Even if [the condemned person] himself says, ‘I have something to say in my favor,’ they bring him back, even four of five times, only provided that there is some substance to...

Deuteronomy and the Creation of Messianic Realities

  Moses led the tribes of Israel to the place they stopped and could see the Promised Land. As they stood there, a cloud moved above the door of the Tabernacle. God would soon inaugurate Joshua to lead the people into their new homeland. But, only Moses heard what God said about the future of the new nation. Continue reading at - https://mailchi.mp/522deeb27b00/deuteronomy-and-the-creation-of-messianic-realities

Human Lives are Valued more than Religious Institutions and Rituals

Human lives are valued more than religious institutions and rituals by the unnamed god in the first account in Genesis . That message is repeated throughout the  Hebrew Scriptures  and the  teachings of Jesus  in the  Synoptic Gospels. Read the complete short articles at - https://mailchi.mp/2116c809b552/human-lives-are-valued-more-than-religious-institutions-and-rituals