|
|
||
 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
BOOK REVIEW The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History by Michael Baigent HarperSanFrancisco - April 2006
Reviewed by Dr. Jonathan Dolhenty Devout Christians will no doubt find Michael Baigent's new book disconcerting, to say the least. Within its pages he puts forth the hypothesis that Jesus Christ survived his crucifixion, was alive in the fifth century A.D., was human and not divine, was married to Mary Magdalene, and had offspring. Furthermore, this information was known to certain early Church leaders and they covered it up, deliberately creating and perpetuating a "myth" surrounding the whole Jesus matter, and forming a Church which was built upon a "lie." Pretty heady stuff, that! In spite of what I am sure will be an outpouring of hostility toward Baigent and his book, I do recommend this book particularly to Christians for the following reason: know thy intellectual enemy! I might also add another reason why I suggest that religious believers, especially traditional Christians in this case, should read this book. All too often, a book is "condemned" or criticized for the idea(s) it promulgates by those who disagree with its contents, but who have, however, never read the book. This type of pseudo-evaluation is, in my opinion, inexcusable and is a form of the anti-intellectualism that unfortunately is all too pervasive in our culture. So, if you are going to take Baigent on -- and there is good reason to do so -- at least be considerate enough to read him first! Now, I used the word "hypothesis" above in referring to the main idea which Baigent wants to present and justify. I do this advisedly. His assertion that Christ survived the crucifixion and was married, etc., is not a "fact"; if it were a fact, there would hardly be a controversy. His assertion does not rise to the level of a "theory." A theory requires a coherent explanation based on objective evidence. What Baigent presents, rather, is a "hypothesis." And a hypothesis per se is simply a "proposal," a "what if," a conjecture, a speculation, and, many times, simply a "guess." While Baigent does present a plethora of historical "facts," none of these facts constitutes direct evident to support his hypothesis. In reality, all of the historical "facts" he presents are "circumstantial" and can be interpreted in various ways. He often accuses early church leaders of "spinning" facts to support their specific teachings, but Baigent, it seems to me, is guilty of the same thing. In other words, Baigent is not approaching his subject (or his hypothesis) dispassionately or scholarly; he has a bias which becomes clear as the book progresses -- "bring the Vatican to its knees" and destroy the foundation of the Christian religion. I hope I am not being unfair here to the author, but if Christ did not die and the resurrection was a "hoax," then Christianity is truly doomed as this is the basic rock upon which Christian belief rests and is justified. There are three questions posed on the back of the dust-jacket and these, I think, are significant. They are obviously being used to promote or "hype" the book to the potential reader but, in a way, they draw us to the essence of what Baigent is saying. Question 1: What if everything we have been told about the origins of Christianity is a lie? Now, that's pretty strong stuff. "Everything"? Does he mean that for over 2,000 years intelligent scholars and others have been duped into believing something that is a "total lie"? Does this mean that no one, until Baigent came along, had any of the "truth"? Have I, after taking Professor Bart Ehrman's courses in "Lost Christianities" and "The New Testament," and read books on this subject by this outstanding religious scholar, been victimized? Question 2: What if a small group had always known the truth and had kept it hidden...until now? OK, this is, I suppose, possible. But it seems hardly probable what with all the groups out there opposed to traditional Christianity and doing their best to destroy it. So far, for over two millennia, the Church has survived, even prospered, and I find it hard to believe that a "small group" could contain such power for that long a time. Nevertheless, it's possible, maybe. Question 3: What if there is incontrovertible proof that Jesus Christ survived the crucifixion? "Incontrovertible"? OK, we're on to something here. Incontrovertible means "undeniable" or "can't be disputed." Case closed. Hypothesis proved. End of story. But...but, search as I might through the entire 286 pages of the text in Baigent's book, I cannot find a single "proof," much less any "evidence," which would support an assertion that Christ survived his crucifixion. It's just not there! Now, what we are asked to "believe," that is, to have "faith" in, is that Baigent saw a document -- what he refers to as "The Jesus Papers" -- which he "alleges" exists, but in private hands and unavailable, and which "proves" that Jesus was alive in A.D. 45, thereby surviving the crucifixion. I have said "believe" and used the word "faith" because Baigent can produce no such document for objective, public examination. We are, therefore, asked to accept his assertion on his "authority." Just as we are asked to accept Christ's death and resurrection on the "authority" of the Bible and Church officials. Take your choice, simply stand aside, or call it a draw. Since this controversy involves neither formal philosophy nor empirical science, I personally have no dog in this fight. The outcome of this controversy -- if there is ever to be one -- has no real bearing on my thought or life. All I can say for sure at this point is that Baigent's claim that "'The Jesus Papers' reveal the truth about Jesus' life and crucifixion" is not supported by what he presents in his book. Given that, however, I still recommend that those interested in the question, and especially those interested in debating the question, read Baigent's book before proceeding into the intellectual arena where a battle is sure to be waged. 
Order at Amazon.com The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History, by Michael Baigent Order at Powell's Books The Jesus Papers: Exposing the Greatest Cover-Up in History, by Michael Baigent |
|
|
|
|
|
Enrich Your Life With a Philosophy Book... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
[Homepage] [Newsletter] [Search] [Support the Academy] [Link to Us] [Contact the Academy] [Citing Articles from Our Website] [Privacy Policy & Disclaimer]
Copyright 1998-99, 2000-01, 2002-03, 2004-05, & 2006 by The Radical Academy. All Rights Reserved.