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Title: The Brother of Jesus: The Dramatic Story & Meaning of the First Archaeological Link to Jesus & His Family by Hershel Shanks, Ben Witherington III ISBN: 0-06-055660-9 Publisher: Harper SanFrancisco Pub. Date: 18 March, 2003 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 2.79 (14 reviews)
Rating: 2
Summary: I enjoyed the ride
Comment: The book is divided into two parts. The first, by Shanks, describes the now infamous 'James ossuary'. Shanks reviews the discovery, early inspections, and display in Canada. Alluding to a civil lawsuit where only a majority is required to determine the case, he concludes that the balance of evidence supports the authenticity of the box and inscription.
After more research, the majority clearly thinks the object a fraud. Shanks and all the experts he quotes look incompetent. Since I didn't know the outcome of the academic investigation until after finishing the book, the outcome provides something of a detective story thrill that wasn't anticipated.
The second part of the book, by Witherington, ignores the ossuary and simply recaps ancient references to James. Witherington assumes the reader came to the subject of James due to the press reports on the bone-box, and tries to answer questions that a Western reader would ask. In brief, he tries to date various undated documents and infer their author's experiences, motives and assumptions. In particular, he draws a picture of 3rd century Roman polemicists seeking to advance their social agendas.
I enjoyed the second part, and it is unfortunate that the blunders of Shanks will undoubtedly put Witherington in a very bad light.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Preponderance of Evidence
Comment: This book is actually the story of the James ossuary as well as a description of who James was. Shanks writes first about the James ossuary. In the first 80 pages he, tells the story of the find and dispels many of the concerns about the ossuary's authenticity. There was no sign of a modern tool used to make the inscription. The inscription (including the second half) is covered with patina which adheres to the ossuary yet there is no sign of a modern adhesive. Altman's reason for thinking that there were two handwritings may be explained by the softness of the limestone upon which are written the words "brother of Jesus." Ben Witherington then writes a very interesting account of James, the younger brother of Jesus, his asceticism, and his rise to prominence in the early church.
What's the verdict? Being an attorney Shanks says it this way: the evidence can not prove the authenticity beyond a shadow of a doubt, but there is a preponderance of evidence that would win a civil case.
Rating: 1
Summary: What a Joke!!!
Comment: Uh..hello..The box is a fake. Shanks and Witherington are too quick to overlook important FACTS in a desperate attempt to show the existence of truth behind the mythology they blindly follow. I am so glad that I didn't pay for this book. I don't want to be responsible for enabling their fairy tale chasing.
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