The Jesus Box
  by Dr. David Eller

Some archaeologists recently announced the discovery of an ancient box with the inscription "James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus" in Aramaic. This has raised the hopes of some Christians, who take this as physical evidence of the truth of their religion. Here are some reasons why they should not get too excited just yet.

First, we know nothing of this box-not its origins, not even its owner. It has not been studied by experts who could establish its date and authenticity. It is quite possibly a hoax, and if so, it would not be the first. Whenever holders of any "evidence" refuse to let others examine their evidence, we should be very suspicious.

Second, while one archaeologist on television heralded this discovery as the "first physical proof" of the historical Jesus, we have to wonder why it took two thousand years to come up with something even as suspect as this. Surely an event as epochal as the birth and death of the savior should have left some other traces that we should have unearthed by now.

Third, even if it is an authentic box from the time of Christ, there is no proof-no possible proof-that it refers to the biblical James, Joseph, and Jesus. Those were three extremely common names in that era, kind of like finding a box today that said "George, son of George." It could be referring to George Bush or George Foreman.

Fourth, even if it is the actual box of the biblical James and Jesus-which cannot ever be established-that would not prove the biblical claims about these people. In particular, even if there was a "historical Jesus," that does not and cannot mean that he was the son of God, that he rose from the dead, and that he is going to save us all. That is not a "historical" claim but a theological one, and no number of boxes or other artifacts can ever prove it.

Finally, if one wants to base one's argument for Christianity on archaeological evidence-which you are not supposed to do, you are just supposed to believe-then that opens up another box, Pandora's. Suppose we find an object with Muhammad's name on it. Does that prove that Islam is the true religion? Suppose we find something with the Buddha's name on it. Does that make Buddhism true? We know that L. Ron Hubbard was a real historical person. Should we all convert now to Scientology?

This project is doomed. Anyone could use any "physical evidence" to prove any belief. Even worse, if you do prove your belief to be true, it means that all the other beliefs must be false. But if they prove their belief to be true, then yours must be false. If Christians really do prove that the whole Bible story is true, then what? Shall they condemn all non-Christians and feel justified to proselytize or persecute them?

I personally hope that no one religion ever "proves" that it is correct. That will simply be a license to hate and discriminate against all the others. At least today, all the thousands of religions in the world are constrained by doubt and lack of evidence. Giving one the ultimate power of "truth" (however illusory) would endanger all the rest of us.

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