Simcha Jacobovici /Dr. Charles R. Pellegrino - The Jesus Family Tomb - 7

[Mr. Titanic]

The Jesus Family Tomb

This is essentially the review I contributed on Amazon, as I typically write and submit the same reviews to both sites.

Science, Respect and Fresh Outlooks

The Jesus Family tomb. Here we have people who dared to speak, who dared to present evidence that others would be inclined to reject, simply for the sake of conveying the truth as they saw it. This is true science. And trust me; there is no underlying agenda here, that much is evident. The authors are not looking to shake the foundation of Christianity. On the contrary.

What I can respect most about this book is the very respect the author's themselves show to a subject of this sort. I am pleased that they both approached this with a sense of reverence. Gathered between the covers of this book were several scientific tests to prove that the Talpiot tomb was not the tomb of the historical Jesus. But what was initially intended to be a contradiction revealed possibility instead, and that is how this book came into fruition. Coming from an unbiased and purely skeptical perspective, Simcha and Dr. Pellegrino have an entirely objective approach to this information, regardless of where the data might lead. They simply provide the evidence, and connect a few dots accordingly. The science and statistics involved in analyzing the Ossuaries was the most intriguing aspect of the book, I believe. Mitochondrial DNA, accretion beds and patina samples, I couldn't ask for a more thorough method. Essentially, this book conveys the possibilities of locating the tomb of the most famous family in history, it states the conclusion implied by the evidence, but admits more research must be done. That is, assuming that 1 to 600 odds don't quite cut it. I may not be convinced, but I'm sure compelled and pleased to have read this book.

Conclusions aside, I'd read this book for reasons other than the sheer claim that Jesus' tomb was found. No... There is so much more this text has to offer. Read it, if you will simply for the insight into modern science, and how it is used to test ancient artifacts. Read it for the forensic archaeology that attempts to reconstruct a vivid image of what once was. Or better yet, an understanding of the burial and religious customs of Jesus' time. Ossuary use for example, or how tombs are located in modern Israel, and documented by the IAA (or bought out by private collectors). If anything, the statistics plead with one to take a careful look at Jesus and Mariamne. It takes one back to his teachings, back to his time to consider where, perhaps out interpretations may have diverted. I've learned many new things about the Mary and Jesus I thought I knew for so long, the trust between them, their journeys and the impact they've had as the greatest individuals to have walked the earth in terms of influence. Experiencing life with an open mind reveals just how mystifying reality truly can be. Give it a chance, take those few steps back in time, and share the excitement of two very enthusiastic and passionate scientists in a quest to understand yet another mystery.

You won't regret taking the leap.

Now then, for the sake of constructive criticism, I will mention several details I would have improved upon. One was repetition, but that proved to be a way to keep the reader following along. Another would be to limit the outrageous claims, such as the possibility that the body was stolen. Althuogh respect was shown, suspecting such things can be taken offensive, and negate the intended tone. Also, I wasn't impressed with a dependency on names, but one must keep in mind the fact that this project is still in its infancy. Otherwise, this provided unique insight on some fascinating figures of history.


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