From Toronto to Emmaus

James White has done it again! His latest release, From Toronto to Emmaus , absolutely refutes any and all of the so-called "evidence" that the Talpiot tomb is the tomb of Jesus of Nazareth and that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had a child named Judah.

The book covers in detail the three areas of "evidence" that the founders of the documentary The Lost Tomb of Jesus purport, which recently aired on the Discovery Channel. These three "evidences" are: 1) the inscription on one of the ossuaries ("bone boxes") which the founders claim to be the name "Mary Magdalene"; 2) the DNA from bone fragments in these ossuaries; and 3) statistical data that allegedly proves that this is in fact the family tomb of Jesus of Nazareth.

White follows up with the main sources used in determining what he correctly proves is a myth. Each of the sources admits to have been misled, either through lack of information or outright dishonesty. While their findings were accurate, they were only accurate in so far as the information they were provided. From that, the founders put a "spin" on the findings to reflect their presupposed notions about the tomb. Sources admit to being taken out of context. Of course, the founders never admit to any of this, nor do they share any evidence that would prove their findings inaccurate. They simply leave out some of the details.

Why is this book so important? White shares his concern:

As an apologist, a writer, a professor, an elder in the church, I long to see believers equipped to do the task of ministry. But we live in a society trained, from infancy, to disbelieve. The Christian worldview has been utterly overthrown, not only in the society as a whole, but sadly in a large portion of that which calls itself the "Church." For many complex reasons the front door of the church has been of little use in keeping the influence of a very anti-biblical, anti-Christian way of thinking out of the church. As a result, many who have been introduced to the faith in a context where the full spectrum of biblical truth is not presented are in little position to engage the strongest challenges of the opponents of Christianity today. An inconsistent theology often leads to an inability to defend the faith. These believers, insofar as a work of grace has been done in their hearts, will persevere in the faith, but without discernment and knowledge they will be crippled in their ability to give witness to the risen Christ who lives through them. [p. 6]

That is what is at stake. The Lost Tomb of Jesus provides one of the greatest challenges to the resurrection of Christ today. On this Easter, I encourage you to get this book, read it, and prepare yourself to defend the faith against this myth.