The Jerusalem Scrolls by Gary McAvoy

Author:Gary McAvoy [McAvoy, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Literati Editions
Published: 2023-02-14T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Twenty-Two

“This is unbelievable, Simon,” Michael said. “This changes everything! Do you think this somehow relates to Jerusalem’s famed Talpiot tomb? The one proclaiming Jesus’ family was buried there in several ossuaries?”

“It would indeed if what I’ve read here supports theories put forth by many scholars. Of course, that whole matter has been quite controversial for some years. But this document by St. Paul himself would surely confirm the assertion that, yes, that would be the ‘Jesus Family Tomb.’”

Many progressive scholars believed the East Talpiot neighborhood of Jerusalem was the final resting place for Jesus of Nazareth, his mother Mary, his wife Mary Magdalene, his son Judah, his brother Joseph, and perhaps other relatives. But just as many scholars did not believe it. So far the only “proof” was mainly on epigraphs inscribed on the sides of six of ten ossuaries, or bone boxes, discovered in 1980. Those epigraphs neatly named the deceased as Jesus and his family. However, all the names inscribed on the ossuaries were very common for the period. So, some saw this as merely a coincidence. Others saw the exact names of Jesus’ family being all together in what was clearly a family tomb, as all the proof they needed. Now, here was substantiation from St. Paul himself!

Simon continued, his voice displaying the awe of the implications. “But this affirms that it was not just where his family was buried, but Jesus himself! Who has those parchments now, Michael?”

For the moment, Michael couldn’t allow himself to consider the possible humanity of Jesus and the fallibility of the Resurrection. He had dealt with such doubts before, like when the Magdalene veil had been discovered in a previous adventure that had shaken his faith. He’d dealt with those personal doubts then; but now…Pope Ignatius’s very legacy could be shaken if…

“Michael?”

“Oh, yes, well, Sarah took the silver scroll from someone named Remi Shapiro, who’s an agent for an American televangelist, or so she told me. That seems odd, frankly; but she mentioned nothing about the parchments. I wonder if Shapiro still has those.”

“A televangelist, you say?” The old scholar sounded simultaneously skeptical and curious. “Tell me, what was his name?”

“Sarah said his name was Gabriel Darwin.”

Simon paused briefly as he considered this, then sighed. “Michael, Darwin is a notorious and very wealthy collector of biblical antiquities. He has some sort of museum in Texas featuring thousands of manuscripts, pottery, ossuaries and other biblical artifacts, much of which has sketchy provenance or illicit acquisition issues. And he has a reputation for throwing money at problems that stand in the way of his getting such items. If he’s involved in any way with these parchments, he cannot be trusted to do the right thing. He’s been a thorn in the side of the IAA for years.

“And despite its supposed treasure locations, that silver scroll is nothing compared to the content of at least this one of these manuscripts. I’ll translate the others when I return to Rome and will let you know if I find anything else substantive.

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