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The following
is an insightful article written by our friend, Dr. Eddie Hyatt, in
response to the blatant lie being deliberately perpetrated by the Discovery
Channel in their effort to desecrate the message of Christianity. This
article is also published on Dr. Hyatt’s website and is being used here by
JHM with his gracious permission.
JHM strongly endorses Dr. Hyatt’s Ministry and encourages your
visiting the Hyatt’s website which will be listed at the end of the
following article.
BECAUSE
HE LIVES
Why “The Lost
Tomb of Jesus” Film is a Farce
By Dr. Eddie L.
Hyatt
On Sunday, March 4, 2007, the Discovery Channel aired a so-called documentary
produced by Hollywood filmmaker, David Cameron, entitled “The Lost Tomb of
Jesus.” In it Cameron presents so-called evidence that this tomb, near
Jerusalem, holds the bones of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, their son,
Judah, and others.
Here are 7
reasons why the film is a farce.
1)
David Cameron is an unbelieving Hollywood filmmaker
whose goal is to produce exciting drama and make money, not to uncover and
present historical fact.
2) This
same tomb was deemed insignificant by the archaeologists who examined
it at the time of its discovery in 1980. The
district archeologist of Jerusalem, Amos Kloner, who oversaw the
initial dig, says, "I don't accept the claim that this tomb was the
burial place for the family of Jesus. They just want to get money for
it."
3) The names on
the caskets are all common names in 1st century Israel. Jesus, Mary, Joseph and Judah were very common names in
1st century Israel. They were like Michelle, Joyce, William and
Robert in modern America. Our Lord was called Jesus of Nazareth to distinguish
him from Jesus of Bethany and Jesus of Capernaum, etc. Kloner
says of the tomb, "It was an ordinary middle-class Jerusalem burial cave. The names on the caskets are the most common
names found among Jews at the time."
4) All
epigraphers admit that the inscription of Jesus (Heb. Yeshua) on one of the caskets is difficult to
decipher. Dr. Stephen Phann,
of the University of the Holy Land, who has examined the caskets, thinks it is more likely the
name "Hanun." Ancient Semitic script,
he says, is notoriously difficult to decipher.
5) The so-called
statistical probability for this being the tomb of Jesus is based on
fallacious facts and reasoning. The
so-called statistical experts consulted for the film have said that the
chances are 600-1 that the tomb is that of Jesus and His family. Dr. Phann says, “This statement is based upon a number of
fallacies and a general misuse of statistics.” He goes on to ask,
"What database serves as the basis for establishing the probability of
this claim? There are no surviving genealogies or records of family names
in Judea and Galilee to make any statement concerning frequency of various
personal names in families there. Only Jesus' genealogy appears to have
survived, as presented in the Gospels."
6) This film
ignores every historical record about Jesus. The 4 gospels, Acts and Paul’s letters have been established
as authentic historical documents. They contain eyewitness accounts of
Jesus, His life and resurrection. The film ignores this most authentic
historical evidence. Jesus is also mentioned by the Jewish historian
Josephus and by Latin authors, such as Pliny the Younger, and Greek
authors, such as Lucian. None of these ancient sources mention Jesus as
having a wife or family other than his birth family.
7)
Multiplied millions, from
Paul to Augustine to Wesley to Moody to many of you and myself, have
experienced the life transforming power that comes when one believes the
Good News and puts his/her faith in the risen Lord and Savior—Jesus Christ.
We can all testify, “Because He Lives!”
Note: The ministry of Dr. Eddie L. Hyatt is
characterized by a unique blend of the anointing of the Holy Spirit with
academic excellence and over 30 years of ministerial experience. Eddie
holds the Doctor of Ministry from Regent University as well as the
Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Historical Theology from Oral Roberts University. He also holds
an A.A. from Christ For the Nations Institute and a B.C.A. in Pastoral
Ministry & Evangelism from Southwestern University in Waxahachie, TX. Eddie has
lectured on Revival, Church History and various Biblical themes in
churches, conferences and some of the major educational institutions in the
world today. These include Oxford University in England,
Oral Roberts University, Zion Bible Institute and Christ For the Nations
Institute. Eddie has also ministered as a church planter, pastor, teacher
and professor or theology in the U.S. Canada, England, India, Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia.
Dr. Hyatt has authored several books, including the
highly acclaimed 2000 Years of
Charismatic Christianity, which is used as a textbook in Bible
colleges and seminaries around the world. His articles on revival and other
Biblical themes have been published in periodicals in the U.S., Canada, and England. In early 2006,
Eddie was invited to be a part of the ministry team and a guest teacher at
the Azusa Centennial Celebration in Los Angeles where 30,000
people gathered from around the world to commemorate the 100-year
anniversary of the Azusa Street Revival. He is also a part of the ministry
team and a guest speaker at Azusa Asia-Indonesia being held September 29-30
in the national stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia where 200,000
are expected to attend.
Eddie’s passion is to see
authentic, Spirit-led revival transform the Church and impact the world in
the 21st century. He and his wife, Dr. Susan Hyatt, make their home in Tulsa, OK where they are
establishing The Global Institute For Biblical Leadership and the Int’l
Christian Women’s Hall of Fame & Conference Center. To schedule
him to speak in your church, conference or fellowship, email him at EddieHyatt@aol.com.
You may also visit his website at www.eddiehyatt.com.
You may also check out Dr. Hyatt’s new course,
"Thinking Biblically," now available on 18 CDs, by clicking on
the following link.
http://www.eddiehyatt.com/bookstore.html#L06
Be Blessed … John and
Barbara Hamel
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