Update/Correction (3/1/2007, 10:32 EST): Oops. Ted Olsen is the online managing editor for Christianity Today and he e-mailed me to point out his byline as the "former solicitor general" was part of the satire. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go have lunch with James Cameron...
Former solicitor general Ted Olsen wrote a brief satire that illustrates the absurdity of filmmaker James Cameron's belief that he's found the remains of Christ because he found a family tomb in Israel bearing the names Jesus and Mary. It's posted at Christianity Today's Web log.
Here's an excerpt, you can find the full "interview" here.:
So, tell us about your interest in the historical Jesus.
Um, I guess I'm interested in Jesus, yeah. Where did you say you were from, again?
Christianity Today magazine.
Are you selling subscriptions or something?
No, we want to talk about your documentary.
What?
The one about Jesus' tomb.
Um, yeah, I think you have the wrong guy. I think you want the other James Cameron.
You're not James Cameron?
No, I am, but not …
… And your wife's name is Suzy?
Susanna.
Right. We found your number online. We figured the chances of you not being the filmmaker James Cameron are, like, a jillion to one. And you live in California, so that pretty much clinches it.
All joking aside, Discovery Channel's role in attacking orthodox Christianity with sub-standard archaeology/sensationalistic documentary-making is a serious matter, and happens to be the subject of MRC president Brent Bozell's latest column.
