tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759844.post3872708402646003296..comments2024-03-12T17:34:02.225-04:00Comments on NT Blog: The Da Vinci Code and the Talpiot TombMark Goodacrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05115370166754797529noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759844.post-23744121344822237822012-03-10T06:46:09.208-05:002012-03-10T06:46:09.208-05:00Thanks, James. Yes, it's my perception of you...Thanks, James. Yes, it's my perception of your writings that you have come from a different place on this one. On the marriage issue, I certainly wouldn't rule it out in the case of the historical Jesus, but I think there is a world of difference between entertaining the possibility of his marriage to someone, and expecting to find evidence specifically of a marriage to Mary Magdalene. I too have learnt a great deal from those scholars you mention; I'd add also the late Esther de Boer, a fine scholar and a lovely person. Thanks again for your comments.Mark Goodacrehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05115370166754797529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5759844.post-11922265421008978412012-03-09T21:55:09.663-05:002012-03-09T21:55:09.663-05:00Mark, I will of course let Simcha speak for himsel...Mark, I will of course let Simcha speak for himself but I think you know from my book, The jesus Dynasty, and my various blog posts that if anything, like you, I was predisposed to REJECT the Talpiot tomb evidence because of the Jesus "married with a kid" element. I wrote that the whole idea was long on speculation, short on evidence. Over the past five years I have had reason to reevaluate my position and I have changed. Not because of a subliminal desire to validate the Talpiot tomb but a hard look at the textual evidence. I think we can not overestimate the impact the 70 CE war had on the original Jerusalem community. After that disaster just about everyone was dead--Paul, Peter, James--and I would include Mary the mother of Jesus, and various others. The literary thread, such as it was (Q or any written traditions) were a mere thread. When the Gospels emerge in the 70s-100s we are in a completely different world of Virgin Birth, Descending Ascending Savior, Preexistence, etc. I am not denying that there are authentic sayings of Jesus but in terms of theological affirmations--and anything to do with on Jesus' sexuality, or lack thereof, there is simply no link with the first followers. Everything is overwritten and rewritten. You have read my book so you know my take on this but in the case of the Talpiot tomb I honestly think the archaeology can take its place as potential evidence--and of course I think the clear Jonah image is a new central factor in terms of whoever was maintaining these three tombs. I have learned greatly from DeConick, Schaberg, Graham, Pagels, and other good sisters of our guild and I realize I was in the dark ages in terms of reading some of these texts with a mind open to MM central role.James D. Taborhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18137109228365359971noreply@blogger.com