You have to wonder sometimes what the headline writers at the news network Web sites are thinking.
Take in this gem from FoxNews.com today:
Um, yeah, the "notion of [a] suffering" Messiah comes from Hebrew prophecy itself (see Isaiah 53), according to historic Christian teaching, which holds that Jesus Christ fulfilled the numerous prophecies about the Messiah from the Old Testament, starting from Genesis 3:15 (the protoevangelion) and extending all the way through the books of "the Law and the Prophets" (Acts 28:23).
It's hardly an earth-shattering notion that Jesus Christ was prophesied in the Old Testament, and even journalists who don't believe in Jesus as Messiah should surely have a functional knowledge of this basic, nay central, claim of orthodox Christianity.
The teaser headline in question takes readers to a Times of London story about the discovery of a tablet that supposedly shows that death-burial-resurrection messianic narrative was commonplace in Roman-occupied Palestine at the time of Christ.
The Times story breathlessly claims that a "radical new interpretation" calls into question the death and resurrection of Christ, but then concedes that, yes, "[t]he ink is badly faded on much of the tablet," called by its owner "Gabriel's Vision of Revelation."
Even so, the Times concludes with a quote by the man making inflated claims about the "revelation":
Professor Knohl contends that the tablet proves that messianic followers possessed the paradigm of their leader rising from the grave before Jesus was born.
He said that the text "could be the missing link between Judaism and Christianity in so far as it roots the Christian belief in the resurrection of the Messiah in Jewish tradition."
Since the historic teaching of Christianity has always point back to the Old Testament's prophecies of the Messiah as confirmation of the validity of its claims, there's really no missing link that has been found, but that seems to escape the notice of the mainstream media.
Curiously enough the story shows us the media are not a bunch of faithless cynics, at least when it comes to archaeological finds that -- they hope and pray (?) -- shake the faith of orthodox Christians.
Related blog post: Time Mag Latches Onto 'Controversial Relic' to Question Christian Orthodoxy.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Clearly the bible is to be doubted by
July 9, 2008 - 14:21 ET by exLibClearly the Bible is to doubted and challenged as the default position. We cannot trust the writers of the Bible, since they are "Biased".
No, No, No.
However, HISTORIANS, for the most part, especially those that can cast doubts on the Biblical account, they are to be trusted as a default position and only when we can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt they are false can we then move on to other "discoveries" that can cast doubt on the biblical account.
It matters not that the Bible has held up to thousands of years of scrutiny and still remains accurate historically, scientifically and morally.
[End Sarcasm]
these anti-Christ "news"
July 9, 2008 - 15:55 ET by TruthMongerthese anti-Christ "news" reports were prophecied thousands of years ago - just confirms my Christian faith
thanks MSM!
I think this is FoxNews
July 9, 2008 - 14:25 ET by Chris NormanI think this is FoxNews sometimes breathless tabloid-style tendencies rearing it's not-so-pretty head.
McNotObama '08
Breaking News from 681 B.C.
July 9, 2008 - 14:28 ET by Copperhead RidgeNo comment
Isaiah 53 (all of it)
July 9, 2008 - 14:29 ET by bradbenj59521 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?
2 For he shall
grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry
ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him,
there is no beauty that we should desire him.
3 He is despised
and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and
we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed
him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was
wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the
chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are
healed.
6 All we like
sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and
the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was
oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is
brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers
is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
8 He was taken
from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation?
for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression
of my people was he stricken.
9 And he made his
grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had
done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
10 Yet it pleased
the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make
his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong
his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see
of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge
shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities.
12 Therefore will
I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil
with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he
was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and
made intercession for the transgressors.
Just in case the authors of the articles regarding these "new revelations" never read their bibles.
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." - C.S. Lewis
Most journalists no nothing of theology
July 9, 2008 - 14:34 ET by c5thenThe fact that Ishi'Yahu (Isaiah) and Danel (Daniel) predict the birth, deeds, death and resurrection of the Messiah are completely foreign to most people, let alone journalists.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
→ In defense of FOX
July 9, 2008 - 14:39 ET by Cool ArrowIt's likely much of the same type of confusion existed in Jesus' day as it does today. For instance;
It's all there in Scripture, so certainly we should have definite answers. But clearly we don't.
Point being, apocryphal writings are not so easily deciphered nor universlly accepted before the fact as one migt think.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Your are right....
July 9, 2008 - 14:52 ET by c5thenbut...they are discernible after the fact. The messiah's birth death and resurrection are all there to be read in Isaiah and Daniel and readily understood now that we have hind-sight in which to see them.
As to the present and how it matches up with the as yet uncompleted prophesies...I don't think we are there yet, but we are getting closer. It is not yet illegal to practice Christianity but it is getting there. The standoff in the mountains of Meggido - or in Hebrew: Har Megedon has not yet happened but is looking more and more likely (an Iran-Syria led attack in Israel). There is no Antichrist as such, but 'the beast' is a person or institution who is given the power to rule the world by the satan and is welcomed by all the people in acclaimation - until it is obvious who or what they are.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
→ I'm with ya c5then
July 9, 2008 - 15:02 ET by Cool ArrowBut even with our increase knowledge, there are significant numbers of Christians who claim the Tribulation has already taken place, and The Kingdom of God is with man.
This I say, not to be contentious, but to illustrate as you just did, that there are lots of apocryophal writings Christians disagree on.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
YOU SCUM! WHAT ARE YOU
July 9, 2008 - 17:18 ET by TruthMongerYOU SCUM! WHAT ARE YOU CATHOLIC? MORMON? SATANIC CULT IS WHAT YOU ARE, DAMN THEE TO HELL, AND ALL OF YE SINNERS, ETC, ETC...
→ Thanks Truthie
July 9, 2008 - 18:59 ET by Cool ArrowI'm truly shamed. Got any sackcloth? Good thing I'm not allowed to burn anything to create ashes.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
One must drink milk before
July 9, 2008 - 14:59 ET by bradbenj5952One must drink milk before they can eat meat. It is when they take a tough piece of meat before they are ready, make their pronouncements of "knowledge" before knowing, that they find it difficult to go backwards, pride ensues, and we know the rest, confusion.
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." - C.S. Lewis
hmmm...I thought
July 9, 2008 - 14:40 ET by TheGingermanhmmm...I thought Newsbusters specialized in Liberal bias. I didn't realize you were monitoring Christian bias. Very strange indeed. Normally you pretend that all religious talk should be in the forums. Yet here you are, implying Christian bias in the number one story. Curious as such.
As a side note, this story has more weight than you acknowledge.
Psssst.....
July 9, 2008 - 14:45 ET by mastersofdeceithttp://newsbusters.o...
It's not liberal bias per
July 9, 2008 - 14:45 ET by Ken ShepherdIt's not liberal bias per se, but it's a dopey headline.
And it is interesting how much the media invest in apocryphal and obscure finds to construct an alternative narrative to orthodox Christianity. We at NewsBusters saw it with the hype for "The DaVinci Code" and not just it as a blockbuster movie and an interesting novel but as a semi-plausible Gnostic alternative history of Christianity.
Quite correct.
July 9, 2008 - 14:55 ET by c5thenBecause liberal = anti-Christian most of the time.
The day that "politician" became a career choice is the day we started losing the Republic. Let's get it back! Alan Keyes '08.
hmmm... The MSM is liberal,
July 9, 2008 - 15:18 ET by Jerryhmmm... The MSM is liberal, and they are biased against Christianity. That's liberal bias any way you slice it.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
They look foolish. We have
July 9, 2008 - 15:05 ET by ForeverOnTheRightThey look foolish. We have known for a long long time that the death and resurrection was prophesied centuries before. The problem for them is that the disciples could not have staged the death and resurrection exactly as prophesied, mathematically impossible. These skeptics have struck out again, of course.
I read the article the other
July 9, 2008 - 15:07 ET by Free ThinkerI read the article the other day and my take was great, one more proof to strengthen my faith. I'm not sure what the story is other than archeologists found one more prophesy of Jesus Christ. I would think the outrage over this find would be from doubters of Christ's well documented and witnessed resurrection.
A question of authenticity
July 9, 2008 - 15:47 ET by SGriffisHow can anyone believe in the authenticity of stone tables written on in ink? Ink doesn't bind to stone like it does to paper, parchment, papyrus and other writing media. In fact, the only time ink was used on stone, the stone was coated with wax first and the writing was done in the wax. If the wax fell off of the stone, so would the writing.
Not to mention the piece of
July 9, 2008 - 15:54 ET by SemperrightNot to mention the piece of rebar sticking out of it and the stamp that says "Made in the USA by Local 403 Hoboken NJ" on the back.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
this could be the work of
July 9, 2008 - 15:58 ET by TruthMongerthis could be the work of Dan Rather...
fake but accurate!
Jesus never served in the National Guard after all:(
→ Good one Truthie
July 9, 2008 - 16:05 ET by Cool ArrowI suppose Ben Barnes (upstanding Texas Democrat) was te guy who discovered the stone.
Your conecting this story with its Ratheristic anachronisms was great satire. Throw in Semperright' rebar comment above yours, and it's Definite NewsBusted material.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
thanks cool - and I'm sure
July 9, 2008 - 16:06 ET by TruthMongerthanks cool - and I'm sure you could add a couple more easy - great minds thinkalike i'm told
→ No Truthie
July 9, 2008 - 16:14 ET by Cool ArrowActually you totally blindsided me with the Rather connection. I wish I had thought of it.
For the skit, I thin there's some footage of Rather in a turban we could dig up, though.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Bible bad, piece of rock good
July 9, 2008 - 15:59 ET by wizardjrWow! What a surprise. Someone finds a piece of stone with scribblings on it and it is 'revealed truth' according to the lame stream media. Oh well, it only took them a couple of thousand years to catch up, but at least they're coming along. Give them a couple thousand more and who knows what they'll figure out?
You are all putting down
July 9, 2008 - 15:59 ET by ThoughtPoliceYou are all putting down faux news for not knowing of the Jesus prophecy. The best part is, you all don't know that Jesus was just one of many stories told in many different religions.
Lets play a game. See if you know who I am talking about by the characteristics:
Born on Dec. 25th; Born of a virgin; star in the east; adored by three kings; teacher at 12; baptized at 30; Had 12 disciples; performed miracles; Was known as "lamb of god"; Was betrayed and crucified, buried for three days, and resurrected?
If you said Jesus Christ you'd be, well, only partly right. In fact, in 3000 b.c. this was Horus, god of the sky/sun/war.
In fact, here is a list of other "gods" with very similar charactertics: attis of Frigia; Krishna of India; Dionysus of Greece; Mithra of Persia etc etc.
You see, the story of Jesus is the last one in a long line before him. Its a representation of astronomy: Sun, moon, stars, etc. The 12 disciples are simply the 12 signs of the Zodiac, in which we are currently in Pisces, or, the "jesus fish".
and we'd a gotta way with
July 9, 2008 - 16:05 ET by TruthMongerand we'd a gotta way with it too - if it wasn't fer you meddling kids:(
Nice The world needs more
July 9, 2008 - 16:11 ET by SemperrightNice
The world needs more Hanna-Barbera injected into it
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
Unfortunately for ThoughtPolice
July 9, 2008 - 16:15 ET by mastersofdeceitJesus was a real person.
http://www.law.umkc....
He better be, I just gave
July 9, 2008 - 16:20 ET by SemperrightHe better be, I just gave him $25 to cut my grass.
"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference.
The MARINES don't have that problem."
President Ronald Reagan - 1985
are you actually crazy
July 9, 2008 - 16:58 ET by TruthMongerare you actually crazy enough to take the word of millions of Christian theological scholars and believers across the centuries over this 20-something thoughtpolice guy who has no formal religious study on his resume' whatsoever for pete's sake?!?!?!?
I'm with TP dangit, it's all a farce
whelp, I'm off to the nudie bars - FINALLY!!! yee-ha
Yes, he was real.
July 10, 2008 - 01:41 ET by ChesterBogusAnd so was Prince Siddhartha. And Mohammed. And Mahavir. And Baha'u'llah was, too. Historical figures. Real people that brought real religions to the world. Most of them sharing characteristics with Christianity.
If you haven't heard of these people, then, you know, read a book.
From the Say What! Category
July 9, 2008 - 16:46 ET by bradbenj5952It never ceases to amaze how much effort an unbeliever will put into attempting to "prove" the word of God is not true. You got suckered by all this stuff and didn't even bother to validate any of the points you've cited. Have you actually read for yourself the ancient Egyptian texts (texts I assume actually pre-date the scripture) by which you were able to conclude these things? Have you never considered that the date assigned to Jesus' birth (December 25th) may have been borrowed from some of these myths, as the actual date of Christ's brith is NOT in the scripture. Assigning it to December 25th is a mere fabrication which has come down to the present via the traditions of certain religious organizations. Have you not considered that perhaps due to the close proximity of ancient Egypt to ancient Israel, the Egyptians had access to copies of the Law and Prophets and thus constructed for themselves a counterfeit Messianic tradition so as not to feel left out, or under the direction of another being; by which they(he) were(was) able to fool a long line ignorant unbelievers. History is rife with counterfeits.
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." - C.S. Lewis
the date assigned to Jesus' birth
July 9, 2008 - 16:47 ET by wizardjrExcuse me, but if you actually knew anything about the subject you'd know that the Church deliberately coopted the Celebration of Light (also by many other names) that occured across Europe three days after the Solstice. Why? Because Jesus is the Son of Light by tradition bring the light of the new era to the people of Earth. Religious scholars put His birth sometime just after Harvest when people we freed up to travel for the census.
So the church deliberately
July 9, 2008 - 17:06 ET by bradbenj5952So the church deliberately coopted the date of pagan tradition and associated it with the Lord Jesus Christ? I guess that would have made their brand of "Christianity" more palatable to the pagans they were trying to "convert".
"Of all tyrannies a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive." - C.S. Lewis
First of all
July 9, 2008 - 16:44 ET by taterIt was 12 apostles not disciples...Jesus had many more disciples, and all the apostles were named in the bible. Who were Horus's apostles and what did they do? The apostles were told to spread the faith and perform miracles.
www.theholyrosary.org
"There is no problem, I tell you, no matter how difficult it is, that we can not resolve by the prayer of the Holy Rosary." -Sister Lucia
→ tater
July 9, 2008 - 16:51 ET by Cool ArrowI think there may have been as many as 13 apostles at one point.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Hey
July 9, 2008 - 20:43 ET by DelsaStreighten up you guys.
Fox News and it's headlines are no laughing matter.
Stop it. Stop Laughing.
Behave