Morris Inch

The Garden Tomb



Posted: Monday, December 21, 2009

by Morris Inch

Having resided in Jerusalem for four years, I am no stranger to the Garden Tomb. Thought by some to be the location for Jesus' burial, it is an inviting place for Christian reflection. However, the fact that the tomb dates to an earlier period puts the claim in doubt-especially in that it was described as a new tomb (Matt. 27:60).

The Church of the Holy Sepulcher (alternatively described as The Church of the Resurrection by Eastern Orthodox adherents) is thought to be the more likely alternative. Even so, it no longer resembles its original setting. The imagery of the Garden Tomb serves better in this regard.

Concerning a related matter, the rock outcropping that resembles the shape of a skull (reminiscent of Golgotha) is said to have resulted from subsequent erosion. Of course, this does not dissuade all from using this feature as evidence for the Garden Tomb location. Incidently, some guides are notorious for telling their groups what they want to hear, rather than providing an accurate account.

Allowing for the fact that the Garden Tomb is an unlikely alternative, it has occurred to me that were the tomb renovated, it might qualify for the designation of a new tomb. In particular, the entrance was perhaps subsequently reconstructed.

In any case, the controversy underscores the historical character of the Christian faith. It is thus set over against the plethora of conspiracy theories, prior to and including the early Gnostic writings, and then persisting to the present. This recalls the unlikely scenario that Jesus' disciples carried off his body while the Roman guards were asleep (cf. Matt. 28:11-15). I have commented more at length on conspiracy theories in one of three studies included in the text Potpourri-entitled "Common Sense & The Conspiracies." This is available both in print and electronically (iUniverse).

The Garden Tomb also brings to mind succeeding generations of devout disciples who have kept the memory alive. In this regard, they like the early circle of believers "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching" (Acts 2:42). Not only are we indebted to them, but responsible to emulate them. This we can do only as God enables us, since it is a formidable task. cf. publication website: http://www.ourchurch.com/member/p/publications

Morris A. Inch is a Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois. He is also a past president of the Institute of Holy Land Studies (renamed Jerusalem University College), Jerusalem, Israel. He was awarded an A.B. from Houghton College, M.Div. from Gordon Divinity School and Ph.D. from Boston University. He has authorded about forty books. See his publication website at http:www.ourchurch.com/member/p/publications

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