I came upon your website as I surfed the internet for reliable information on the subject item [James, brother of the Lord]. I wanted to compare the truth, which you have so accurately articulated, with the current archeological discovery. What do you think about the discovery? In the meanwhile be encouraged to use the internet to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. May the Lord bless this work abundantly. ~ Lawrence Wells
Archaeological discoveries frequently substantiate or otherwise reflect entries in biblical history. Biblical archaeology has become one of the chief external evidences to the veracity of the Bible.
Not long ago (1990), the ossuary or bone box of Caiaphas was discovered. It is ironic that the earthly remains of the high priest who condemned our Lord to death have been found, but Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave and ascended to heaven. Christians are confident respecting this cardinal principle underlying Christianity. Besides, the first century enemies of Jesus Christ would have produced his dead body if they could have to stop Christianity.
Admittedly, there are plenty of discoveries that are either fraudulent or inconclusive respecting their relationship to biblical characters or circumstances. However, there are numerous finds that complement and confirm the biblical record.
The recent announcement of the discovery of an ossuary that may belong to the fleshly half-brother of Jesus peaks one’s interest. Such a find causes one to ponder whether it is a hoax, a reference to another with the same name or the actual bone box of our Lord’s brother, James. These questions were the object of several articles in Biblical Archaeology Review (November/December 2002).
The inscription on this ossuary reads: “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus.” While the names James, Joseph and Jesus were common names, the wording is unique because it mentions an apparently famous brother to the deceased in addition to his father. The bone box itself and soil affixed to the ossuary have been scientifically dated to the time when James, the brother of Jesus Christ lived and died. The shapes of the letters used in the inscription conform precisely to the script used during the lifetime of Jesus’ brother, James.
Upon examination of the available evidence (more thoroughly detailed in the articles cited), it is reasonable to conclude that the ossuary of “James, son of Joseph, brother of Jesus” does refer to the biblical characters by the same names. However, this does not materially change one’s perspective of the Bible or the events it chronicles. Neither is such a find worthy of veneration. Yet, the three names on this bone box significantly increase the number of biblical characters whose very names can be definitively found in archaeological discoveries.
This ossuary is one more external evidence contributing to the veracity of the Bible as precisely what it claims for itself, inspired revelation from Almighty God. Again, the Bible is found to be accurate in circumstances that lend themselves to scientific evaluation, and, therefore, the Bible is equally credible in circumstances that simply do not lend themselves to scientific scrutiny (i.e., doctrine).
