GOT QUESTIONS

The Lost Gospel

By S. Michael Houdmann, Got Questions Ministries

"Lost Gospel" claims Jesus was married and had two children.

Pardon me as I yawn. This is the essential claim of the Da Vinci Code, released in book form in 2003 and made into a movie in 2006. Since then, other "lost gospels" such as the "Gospel of Judas" and the "Gospel of Mary" have re-emerged and been used to argue this same idea (even though they nowhere say that Jesus was married or had children).

This latest "lost gospel" is known as the Ecclesiastical History of Zacharias Rhetor, and is being promoted in the book The Lost Gospel, by Barrie Wilson and Simcha Jacobovici. Interestingly, the document does not say Jesus was married or had children. Rather, it describes a man named Joseph who was married to a woman named Aseneth and had two children. Wilson and Jacobovici claim to have decoded a hidden meaning in the text. It is this hidden meaning, the authors claim, that demonstrates Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had children with her.

It should be noted that Jacobovici is the man behind the Jesus Family Tomb myth that has been thoroughly debunked by scholars and archaeologists. Jacobovici was also the discoverer of the "James ossuary," which, again, has been soundly rejected by the archaeological community. Jacobovici's career appears to be inventing myths and fabricating evidence that attack the core truths of the Christian faith, knowing that Christians will freak out, thereby giving his discoveries publicity, and knowing that this publicity will result in many people purchasing his books. Here is an idea: Let's not take the bait this time!

The Lost Gospel is a scam. The Ecclesiastical History of Zacharias Rhetor does not even say what Wilson and Jacobovici claim it says. It can only be twisted to say that Jesus was married and had children by decoding a hidden meaning. The Lost Gospel is a hoax, riding on the coattails of the Da Vinci Code, perpetuating a myth that has no basis, theologically, historically, or archaeologically.

One item to note: the Lost Gospel claims that the early church sought to cover up the true identity of Jesus by destroying other "gospels." This claim is partially true. Early Christians did seek to destroy other "gospels." Why? Because they are filled with lies. Because they are forgeries. Because they deny the biblical Jesus and instead seek to make Him in our image. But, there was no cover up. The early church never denied the existence of other gospels. Many early church fathers commented on them, thoroughly rejecting and refuting their claims. The gnostic gospels, and other false gospels, were burned because that was a better use of the papyrus they were written on!

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

I would not be all that surprised if someone eventually finds (aka fabricates) an ancient document that actually says Jesus was married and had children. The fact that all of these claims are coming from documents that at best hint at the idea, or at worst require decoding a hidden meaning, is, in fact, evidence for the dubiousness of these claims. Simply put, the Lost Gospel is a hoax from a serial perpetuator of archaeological fraud. 'Nuff said.

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Published 11-12-14