The Jesus Discovery: The New Archaeological Find That Reveals the Birth of Christianity

I was raised without any religion, so I'm still finding my way in this whole belief system thing. I normally shy away from anything connected with Christianity, because rabid zealots frankly scare me. But James Tabor explains things so clearly (and without any frothing or craziness) that I actually understand the concepts he puts out there.I buy Professor Tabor's books for three reasons: clear thinking, excellent writing, and sensible explanations of his research. If these things are important to you, please pick up a copy of his work and READ IT. You'll be surprised how wonderful it is.Don't let anyone tell you what to think. Read and decide for yourself.His work really is excellent.

One of the worst books I've ever read about history. Presumptions, assumptions all around - no real proof of anything, just supposition regarding the Talpiot Tomb and the presumption that it was Jesus, His wife Mary and their Son buried there. They had DNA samples and used them as a ploy to get you to keep reading. In the final chapters they discuss the DNA which proved nothing. PC contents too. The use of BCE and CE instead of BC and AD - guess they didn't want to offend the non-religious readers of a book on Jesus!!!I emailed one of the authors regarding some of these issues and he did respond.At any rate, the book is kind of interesting if you don't mind the fact that it's more fiction than fact.

The book is an informative and somewhat speculative supposition as to why there are ossuaries with the names of Jesus and his family on them found in Jerusalem. It is not a purely scholarly work, which allows Mr. Jacobovici (a filmmaker and documentarian...) some latitude in trying to ascertain why the bone boxes were where they are.I appreciate the speculation, as it gives much food for thought. This is not to say that the speculation is not to be taken seriously but to say that such a work is not peer-reviewed or subject to scholarly approval. Frankly, we could use more of that, instead of cross-checking our belief systems against what we have always been told.

A very informative and clearly written review of their research. The steps they followed, the possible inferences that might be made, and the rationale for their interpretation of the findings are clearly presented. Based on their work the hypothesis that Jesus was married to Mary and that the tomb was that of the Nazarene is more likely than not to be true. However, if one accepts all of their findings as true, then what? I need more analysis of the theological implications of those findings - a following book? Are their findings the impetus to move the agnostic to the atheist or to the believer column? I definitely recommend the book as a worthwhile read - especially for those that are searching.

For students of archeology, history, and theology, this book is an invaluable blend. The author carefully constructs his argument, that Jesus and his wife Mary Magdalene and their son Judas, were buried together in a tomb provided by Joseph of Arimathea. As a nonbeliever myself, I am much more comfortable with a human Jesus who lived much as other Jewish men of his time than with the more modern idea that he was an asexual Godson born of a perennial virgin.

The book raises and interesting theory, though it cannot really be proven. Even though the evidence cited seems to be too much of a coincidence, the archaeological evidence cannot, as of now, support his conclusions. I seriously doubt that the established church would permit a serious analysis, since it would require a reevaluation of the tenets of Christianity. However, the story behind the discovery of the tombs is interesting and compelling.

I don't think the case was proven. However, it was indicated as a logical possibility. The DNA evidence was disappointing. He says, "see, no DNA matches," and waits for me to be floored. I must admit to some bias. I am a fan of James Tabor's work. Additionally, I am convinced that if Jesus is not buried here, he is still buried somewhere.

This book introduces you to the archaeological investigation of the Talpiot Tomb (or The Patio Tomb, as they call it to differentiate it from the nearby 'The Jesus Family Tomb' or The Garden Tomb that Simcha Jacobovici stumbled upon accidentally while investigating 'The Jesus Family Tomb' in east Talpiot, Jerusalem in Israel for the TV/DVD documentary 'The Lost Tomb Of Jesus'). Since they were convinced (including a favourable statistical assessment of the cluster of names of this Garden Tomb by a professor of Statistics from University of Toronto) that 'The Jesus Family Tomb' was highly likely in their view that this could very well indeed be the final resting place for Jesus of Nazareth, they thought it could be a worthwhile exercise to investigate this adjacent tomb. According to the findings from this adjacent Patio Tomb, they indeed strengthen their earlier findings: they find an inscription "Jehovah or Lord Lifted Up" as well as a picture of a large fish spitting a man carved on an ossuary (a 'sign of Jonah' as they call it, this is well described in the New Testament about the sign to be given to that generation or the generation demanding a sign). They further speculate that this Patio Tomb could very well be that of Joseph of Arimathea who took Jesus's body from the cross to bury him in a hurry in a newly hewned tomb as Sabbath was soon approaching. They also summarize their findings of the adjacent tomb ('Jesus Family Tomb' and its statistics) & why these findings support each other. Their findings/conclusions (that Jesus' bones did not go to heaven or that he was married to Mary Magdalene and they had a son Judah) may be against the usual Christian dogma (they think the New Testament gives us a lot of Theology but only a bit of real History to which we must fill in the gaps so as to speak). If you enjoyed the books ("The Jesus Dynasty" by James D. Tabor & "The Jesus Family Tomb" by Simcha Jacobovici as well as the TV/DVD documentary "The Lost Tomb Of Jesus" by Simcha Jacobovici), you'll enjoy this book as it puts all these findings rather together quite nicely in one place. A highly recommended book reading.

‘Good history is never the enemy of informed faith.’ Seems true enough to me but for many Christians the physical resurrection of Jesus is an essential principle of their religion. ‘The Jesus Discovery’ would be a difficult read for these followers as it suggests that if such a resurrection did take place, it would have been of the spiritual, astral form of Jesus, a visionary experience for his disciples.I was raised as a Catholic, but never felt at home amidst all the dogma, even as a small child. I left the Catholic Church, mentally, when I was 13, but was still forced to be physically present at endless masses, benedictions etc. all of which gave me time to study the Bible. I discovered that the gospels of the New Testament were not one unified story and that the actual teachings of Jesus appeared to differ dramatically from the vengeful Jehovah of the Old Testament and also from the teachings of the Catholic Church. All fascinating. I went off on my own path but retained a strong interest in the historical Jesus. Did he exist? If so, what actually happened 2,000 years ago? ‘The Jesus Discovery’ provides some possible answers.James D. Tabor and Simcha Jacobovici approach their subject with sensitivity and respect. ‘The Jesus Discovery’ gives a very clear and readable account of their investigations into a sealed tomb dated to the first century CE (AD under the old system). I was amazed by the discovery of the ‘sign of Jonah’ on one of the ossuaries contained inside the tomb. For me, this suggests that the early followers of Jesus believed in direct mystical inner experience, raising their consciousness to find enlightenment, exactly matching a ‘visionary’ resurrection.There are further fascinating discoveries of great interest to anyone, like me, who wants to find out about the lives and beliefs of the early Christians. I appreciated the thorough research that the authors put into this book and their non sensational approach. A must read for all truth seekers.

very interesting book, and well written and with proper reference to scholarly article. Whether they are right or not on the tomb of Jesus, the book rises many interesting questions about who really was Jesus and what life did he had. Very interesting and thought provocative, one find himself thinking what if this is true? How would this impact on one of the world main religion?

Although not 100% convinced by his arguments I found the book interesting to read and as I have not read his former books on this subject I enjoid reading this one. Can recommend it as a bit into the question about Jesus the man and Christ the God.

A stunning detective story that blows away any preconceptions I had.

Fascinating book - great condition and arrived on time! Thank you