Sunday, April 03, 2011

First Image Of Jesus Created By Early Christians Who Knew Jesus Found?


This is really an extraordinary find, and if this find is genuine, and at least three experts say it is with one saying it is unlikely to be a forgery because there has not been another find like it to forge from, then the above image may  indeed  be the first image of Jesus ever created by early Christians who knew Jesus personally.

However, the rule of thumb with any new archaeological discovery is to go very cautiously, examine the credentials and associations of the "experts" involved,  and use a "wait and see" attitude.  In many cases I have found that the "experts"  in biblical and Christian studies used to examine the discovery know nothing about biblical Christianty, are not Christian at all, but in fact,  frauds.

The image is eerily familiar: a bearded young man with flowing curly hair. After lying for nearly 2,000 years hidden in a cave in the Holy Land, the fine detail is difficult to determine. But in a certain light it is not difficult to interpret the marks around the figure's brow as a crown of thorns.

The extraordinary picture was found in a cave in the hills overlooking the Sea of Galilee, and has been hidden there for 2,000 years.
'If genuine, it seems clear that these books were, in fact, created by an early Messianic Jewish sect, perhaps closely allied to the early Christian church and that these images represent Christ himself."
The image is one that was created on a tiny booklet, and is one of seventy metal books, a little smaller than a modern credit card, is sealed on all sides and has a three-dimensional representation of a human head on both the front and the back. One appears to have a beard and the other is without. Even the maker’s fingerprint can be seen in the lead impression. Beneath both figures is a line of as-yet undeciphered text in an ancient Hebrew script.

Astonishingly, one of the booklets appears to bear the words, 'Saviour of Israel' – one of the few phrases so far translated.

The director of Jordan’s Department of Antiquities, Ziad al-Saad, has few doubts. He believes they may indeed have been made by followers of Jesus in the few decades immediately following his crucifixion.

A number of experts have examined the writings, including Margaret Barker, a former president of the Society for Old testament Study with a renowned knowledge of early Christian studies.

'If they are a forgery, what are they are forgery of?' she said.' Most fakes are drawn from existing material, but there is nothing like this that I have seen.'

Philip Davies, emeritus professor of biblical studies at Sheffield University is convinced the codices are genuine after studying one.

He has told colleagues privately that he believes the find is unlikely to have been forged, say the Sunday Times. More here with pictures.  Also, there is more on the discovery of all of the books here.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
Thank you Lord, that we too can know you personally through your Word, and your  Holy Spirit that you have given to all those who believe in you!

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8 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:46 PM

    When I saw that image, I immediately thought that while the AntiChrist controls the mainstream media and all worldwide methods of communication to spread his propaganda and lies, poor humble Jesus is trying to break through to people by allowing this recent discovery of the metal tablets to come to light of day. It is somewhat like David versus Goliath, only Jesus versus the AntiChrist, in terms of getting His message out there in the most humble way possible, a simple metal tablet.

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  2. At this point, I am just going to take a wait and see attitude concerning these books.

    I would like nothing more for them to be genuine, but with so many attacks on the Bible today, it is just best to wait until we see what is written in these books before we make any final conclusions.

    If what is written in these books, or codices doesn't line up with what the Scriptures say, then we will know that this is just another attack on God's Holy Word, which has stood the test of time.

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  3. Toni-Shalom and that for this post. I'll certainly follow the links for me information.

    And while we are on the topic of Biblical finds please check out this link.

    http://anchorstone.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=34&Itemid=55

    I do not follow people or institutions but the Truth as given in Scripture and the stones that are said to (cry out) as witnesses to His eternal Godhead and Divinity; Yahshua HaMashiach (Jesus The Messiah)

    Shalom In Him.

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  4. Shalom, Yuri

    Thank you for the link on the Ark of the Covenant. There is much information there so I will keep it handy and read alittle each day.From what I have read of Ron Wyatt, there are many pros and cons so you have to keep your mind open when reading about his adventures in biblical archaeology.

    I read on some site awhile back that the orthodox Jews in Israel know exactly where the Arc is and they are just waiting for the right time to announce it. Whenever that is? I don't know if that is true or not.

    It will be interesting to see what the experts find when analying these 70 metal books. I have some questions that need to be answered and I will wait until more is written about them before I make any determination, as I do not think enough information has been given to the public to make a final determination on the find.

    Blessings,
    Toni

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  5. Shalom Toni,

    Yes, I agree on keeping an open mind to Truth. It is true that the Israelis know where the Ark of the Covenant is. However, when they first tried to move it, something very serious happened.

    As far as the metal books are concerned, I'm interested in what the inscriptions on them say and see if they correlate with the Scriptures (to the Torah and Prophets. Looking forward to hearing more about it.

    Shalom In Yahshua

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  6. The article quotes that number of experts have examined the writings, including Margaret Barker, a former president of the Society for Old testament Study with a renowned knowledge of early Christian studies.

    I did some research on Margaret Barker, and her background appears to have some very questionable associations, so I would not recommend her as an expert in early Christian studies.

    Here's the link where I found some background information on for Margaret Barker

    http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/papers/?paperID=6&chapterID=49

    Go caustiously, people and check everything.

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  7. Anonymous8:46 PM

    Hi Toni

    I found some more information on the discovery:

    Still, other students of early Christian history are urging caution, citing precedents such as the debunked discovery of an ossuary said to contain the bones of Jesus. New Testament scholar Larry Hurtado observes that since these codices are miniature, they were likely intended for private, rather than liturgical, use. This would likely place their date of origin closer to the 3rd century CE. But only further research and full translation of the codices can fully confirm the nature of the find. The larger lesson here is likely that of Ecclesiastes 3:1—be patient, since "to everything there is a season."
    (David Elkington/Rex Features/Rex USA)

    For more, see:

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110330/ts_yblog_thelookout/could-lead-codices-prove-the-major-discovery-of-christian-history

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you, Anonymous

    Toni

    ReplyDelete

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