Jesus and the Ossuaries: What Jewish Burial Practices Reveal about the Beginning of Christianity
"If my disciples were silent," said Jesus in Luke 19:40, "the very stones would cry out." In this excellent book, they do exactly that. Evans gives us in one place the major ancient inscrpitions touching on Jesus. Evans' clear and thorough presentation emphasizes the need to read stone as well as papyrus, to do archaeology as well as exegesis, and to understand that incarnation involves both flesh as well as spirit. --John Dominic Crossan, DePaul University (Emeritus)Rich with information! A "must" read for anyone fascinated with archaeological discoveries from antiquity and how they help us to reconstruct the past. --April D. DeConick, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityAn important contribution to the study of the material culture of biblical times... The volume is informative, well written, well organized, and easy to read... Highly recommended. --CHOICEThis book places a controversial artifact firmly in its context. Better than that, it helps the reader of the New Testament understand what is going on in Jewish practices of burial, burial customs, what ossuaries are for, and other practices that illuminate the New Testament. The book stands on its own without the "James son of Joseph and Brother of Jesus" ossuary, though the book helps us understand why there would be so much debate over such an artifact. --James Strange, Distinguished University Professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of South FloridaRich with information! A "must" read for anyone fascinated with archaeological discoveries from antiquity and how they help us to reconstruct the past. --April D. DeConick, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityThis book places a controversial artifact firmly in its context. Better than that, it helps the reader of the New Testament understand what is going on in Jewish practices of burial, burial customs, what ossuaries are for, and other practices that illuminate the New Testament. The book stands on its own without the "James son of Joseph and Brother of Jesus" ossuary, though the book helps us understand why there would be so much debate over such an artifact. --James Strange, Distinguished University Professor, Department of Religious Studies, University of South Florida