Christ's Bones: Why They'll Never be Found

The internet click-bait purveyor, Ranker, posted an article that made it's way back to the top of the Facebook dung-heap. The thumbnail said that there was stronger scientific evidence for the crucifixion of Jesus. Being a healthy skeptic, I wanted to read this "evidence" for myself.

Ah, Ranker, you foul villain. Snookered again!

The article turned out to be a rebuttal to the assertion that Judeo-Roman versions of crucifixion found in the Gospel accounts had never occurred. This new evidence derives from bones found to have had a metal spike driven through the heel, commensurate with the narrative that Jesus was nailed to a cross. But Jesus just happened to be a tangent; bait, if you will.

Several years ago, the archaeological discovery of an ossuary (bone box / pictured above) inscribed with "James, Son of Joseph, Brother of Jesus" gave new weight to the possible historical figure of Jesus. The ossuary, if memory serves, was even inscribed with a rudimentary cross. In time, the Israeli Antiquities Authority charged owner Oded Golan with forty counts of forgery, which were later dismissed. The ossuary was pulled from public display and returned to Golan. Much contention has been had over its authenticity, with several analyses determining that the debated inscription could not be any less than fifty years old. Thus, with insufficient evidence to call the ossuary a forgery, and insufficient evidence to authenticate it, everyone shook hands and walked away.

The ossuary, which also happened to be empty, is not particularly unusual. These boxes are common artifacts of 1st century Jerusalem which are often emptied by those taking possession. But that does glaringly eliminate the possibility of genetic testing. Neither here, nor there, I suppose.

It occurred to me, however, that the discovery of Jesus bones can't happen. The gospel account says that his body ascended to heaven and disappeared. Luke 24, which details the account most clearly, doesn't say anything about a body left behind, or discarded robes falling back to earth. This process of transmogrification entails the dissolution of the physical body as the soul of the person is carried off to heaven. If then 2 Timothy 3:16 is an absolute and all Scripture is a result of God's inspiration, the writer of Luke's account cannot be mistaken. The remaining gospel accounts don't discuss the event in any great detail, but they certainly don't contradict it. So it can be reasoned that the body of Christ was destroyed during his ascension.

Let's suppose, however, that archaeologists later discover an ossuary inscribed with something as unmistakable as "Jesus of Nazareth, performer of most excellent party tricks, son of God". Let's also suppose that that ossuary uncharacteristically contains bones. This now becomes an issue of great interest, and not just by historians.

There are a few possible scenarios. Firstly, the Christian public may accept the existence of the bones with gracious aplomb, but now have to account for a major discrepancy in the bible. The infallible word of God is now perceptibly fallible. The only responsible answer is to examine everything. The incredibly likely outcome of that is that Christianity will falter as parishioners from all denominations exit in droves. Churches will fail as monetary support dries up. Evangelical work will come to a screeching halt. It's pretty much the worst parts of Revelation for most of Christendom.

More likely, in my mind, is that the largest authorities in Christianity (Vatican) snatch up those bones before they become public knowledge and hide them away from the laity. That is the only way in which they hold on to any measure of control. This also prevents the uncomfortable void of a moral compass suddenly lost. Too many Christians use faith as the only foundation for decent behavior. There would likely be a whiplash effect wherein millions of people worldwide suddenly have no conscience in the face of no eternal consequence. Keeping the bones a secret would be the safest thing for the largest number of people.

The latter scenario being of the most benefit is what I expect will happen. However Dan-Brown this may feel, it's indisputable that religious organizations thrive on comparative ignorance. When passive steps no longer satisfy that mandate, active steps are sure to follow. Omissions mature into lies. Whether it's a matter of religious faith or secular life, asking the question "what didn't they tell me" is often a wise exercise.

Look around for the people who benefit most from your ignorance. Those are the ones who will hide truth from you.