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Which Tomb? An Easter Series - Part 1

Introduction and Bibliography

Posted Thursday, April 06, 2006 by Sam Yeiter

            While cynics may believe that having two possibilities for the tomb of Jesus is just a cash cow for the Israeli tourist economy (and certainly it does not hurt their economy), there are good reasons to support both as the real tomb.  There are enough facts and theories that neither side is embarrassed of its position.  Over the last 150 years or so, the question of the validity of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has been asked.  So far, only the Garden Tomb has been able to contend with that church as a possible grave site for Jesus.

Each year countless numbers of pilgrims make their way to the Holy City.  There they hope to connect with ancient holy sites.  Probably the most significant to many of them is the burial place of Jesus.  To many people (not every pilgrim necessarily fits into this category) this question is important because they want archeological validation of their faith.  If we can say with complete confidence that we have found Jesus’ tomb, many Christians (of every stripe) will feel more secure in their faith.  Some would go further and feel that if the Garden Tomb and the Church of the Sepulchre are disproved as the potential burial places for Jesus, then their faith is on shaky ground.  I do not believe this question is important for matters of faith.  The author of Hebrews says that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the conviction of things unseen.  We must not require sight if we say we have faith.  Therefore, while I do not think this question is important for matters of faith and practice, I do think it is an important issue.

 

The importance of the study of the tomb of Jesus is important from an apologetics standpoint and from the point of a student of the Word.  Obviously, if we should find a tomb that is marked “Jesus of Nazareth, 32 A.D.” and the body is still present, then we are in hot water, apologetically speaking.  Our faith should remain unmoved, but we have some work to do.  Likewise, if we can find what is universally received as the tomb of Jesus, and there is no body present, then we have some ammunition in our rhetorical clip.  However, this is becoming less and less significant.  In the last 40 years we have seen the acceptance of an historical Jesus, regardless of whether he is believed to be God.  This acceptance would require a tomb, and should there be no body, opponents of fundamentalism can simply say that the body was stolen (which is not a new claim), or that something else has happened to it.  From the standpoint of the Bible student, this is important as we try to piece together the Biblical account.  It would have importance just as understanding the distance between cities and differing landmarks makes.  Understanding how far the Israelites traveled, how far Elijah ran, how long the Emmaus Road is, and the length of time it would have taken to walk from the upper room to the Garden of Gethsemane, does not immediately lessen or increase the need for faith, but helps us to understand the narrative of the Old and New Testaments.  As we understand it better, we can apply it more accurately and teach it with more vibrancy.  This is the value of this question, and to the extent that we are able to appropriate the story into our study of scripture as a whole, it has value.

           

               Currently, there are two main options as to where Jesus was buried.  There are some who believe there may well be another unknown option.  In this paper we will look at these options’ origins and then look at the evidence supporting them.  We will look at scripture, archeology and  tradition as evidence.  Having done this, I will suggest a provisional answer to the question.

           

                At the outset, I would be interested in first thoughts or impressions regarding the tombs of Christ.  Also, what do you think of as the apologetic value in such a study…is there any value here at all?  To what extent should our faith interact with apologetics?

               For those of you who want a bibliography up-front (are there really such people?), here you go:

Bibliography

 

Bahat, Dan.  “Does the Holy Sepulchre Church Mark the Burial of Jesus?  Biblical Archaeology

Review.  12.3 (1986): 26-45.

Barkay, Gabriel.  “The Garden Tomb: Was Jesus Buried Here?”  Biblical Archaeology Review.

12.2 (1986): 40-53, 56-57.

Chadwick, Jeffrey.  Letter.  “In Defense of the Garden Tomb.”  Biblical Archaeology Review. 

12.4 (1986): 16-17.

Kenyon, Kathleen M.  Jerusalem: Excavating 3000 Years of History.  New York: McGraw-Hill

Book Company, 1967.

Kloner, Amos.  “Did a Rolling Stone Close Jesus’ Tomb?”  Biblical Archaeological Review. 

            25.5 (1999): 22-29, 76.

McRay, John.  Archaeology and the New Testament.  Grand Rapids: Baker, 1991.

Schein, Bruce E.  “The Second Wall of Jerusalem.”  Biblical Archeologist.  44 (1981): 21-26.

Taylor, Joan E.  “Golgotha: A Reconsideration of the Evidence for the Sites of Jesus’

Crucifixion and Burial.”  New Testament Studies.  44 (1998): 180-203.

Yadin, Yigael ed.  Jerusalem Revealed: Archaeology in the Holy City 1968-1974.  New Haven:

Yale University Press, 1976.

Zoba, Wendy Murray. “Where Have They Laid My Lord?”  Christianity Today.  41.3 (1997):

32-35.

 

Thursday, April 06, 2006 8:06 PM

Tom wrote: 

Former Dog,

This looks like a good series.  Since i occassionally frequent this site and am humbled by the fact that all you guys are smarter than me in your sleep...i nevertheless offer my "first thoughts and impressions" on the site of the tomb.  This is in no way an academic, apologetic, or in reality, smart (knowledgeable) response...but, again, just my first thought.  I think of creation and the garden that God created for Adam and Eve.  Good, beautiful, perfection, etc.  And how through the serpent sin, corruption, rebellion, etc. entered into our existence.  I then think of Revelation.  God restoring/renewing all of creation.  A re-emergence of paradise.  How things were...leading to how things will be.  Then I think of the person of Jesus.  He has brought with Him the power of God, He has brought with Him the kingdom, he has started to turn things, to move things, he has begun that process of restoration.  Of making things right, good, and beautiful.  How symbolic would it be that the Garden Tomb be the place for his burial?  And resurrection.  For it was in the garden that sin came in, and now it is in the garden through his resurrection that God in Jesus emphatically states that things are moving back to how they originally were.  Kinda like - in the beginning:  Garden - good, paradise..then evil and sin filled.  At the end of time - back to that 'paradise' if you will.  And in the middle of it all - Jesus' resurrection in the garden tomb symbolically saying 'what it once was, I am restoring it to.'  This being said....I am not going to be mad if you think I'm an idiot for thinking this nor will i be offended if you give strong evidence for any other place.  I just thought, symbolically, how intriguing would this be.  Anyway, i look forward to hearing someone smart on this subject now. 

Thursday, April 06, 2006 9:34 PM

Charlie wrote:  Well, the Garden Tomb is much nicer to visit. That is one thing I will give it. I agree with your thought that the site of the true tomb is really not important. But I will wait for you to say something before I say you're wrong. You're wrong. Oh wait! I got ahead of myself. Sorry. Now I'm waiting. By the way, do you want some pictures? I could put some color into your article and make it look much more interesting! Of course, it already is interesting, but I mean even more interesting.

Sunday, April 09, 2006 3:58 PM

Brian wrote: 

Tom,
I like your reason for favoring the Garden Tomb. Facts and evidences are supposed to decide such matters so symbolism is usually ignored in historical/archaelogical discussions.

Regardless of which we settle on here, though, I expect that the actual tomb of Jesus will be even more "right" symbolically than it is factually.

Monday, April 10, 2006 7:19 PM

Sam wrote: Wrong again, Tom...

Hey there, dog...it's really good to have you on here...welcome!  (Consider this your right hand of fellowship...indulge an old Baptist)

I had to let you know that you were wrong again.  I wrote a response to you in my sleep.  It came out, and i quote, "sd;sadj dka dslk;saldkfjjjjjjjsdl;kdsldkf dsklfjlakdjlsakdf ldlll."  As you can see, i am not even close to being smarter than you in my sleep.  And anyways, don't you already have degree from Trinity?  That says something!

Ok, now that you're properly upbraided, i want to thank you for your thoughts on the Garden.  It is neat how God does things, and I love the garden motif throughout scripture.  It would not surprise me if the Garden Tomb was it.  If the Sepulchre is the real place, would it not be a tribute to God's patience with those who would misuse his gifts for their benefit?

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