Why the BBC thinks Christ did not die this way

BBC ^ | 16 Mar 2008 | Jonathan Wynne-Jones

[Lee N. Field]

"The Victorian image of Jesus doesn't tie in with the historical evidence," he said.

"He was probably put on a crude wooden gibbet and made to stand in a loose, foetal position. It was fiendishly designed."

The Easter Silly Season is upon us.

"Victorian"? They must not have ever heard of the Alexamenos graffito.

[magisterium]

I'm glad you brought this up, because the skeleton in question does not validate the claims very well. First, the evidence from the forearm bones indicates that, while the nails in this instance were, in fact, driven through the arms, they were a lot closer to the wrist than the elbow. Further, the wear marks on the arm bones indicate that the man's arms were stretched out horizontally, in a similar, if not identical, position as Christ's arms are generally portrayed. Finally, it is impossible from the evidence of the nail through the heel bone to conclude definitively that the legs were in the tucked position alleged. They could have been, but it is equally likely that the legs were relatively straight, though canted 90 degrees so they could be nailed to the upright beam through the heels.

As for the "evidence" that Christ was crucified in the manner they allege, there is not a shred of testimony to back this up. The Gospel accounts clearly state that the "hands" were nailed. This could include the wrist, but it definitely does not include the forearm proper! Thus, the "scholarship" of these people takes the only direct accounts of the event of Christ's crucifixion and then proceeds to completely ignore them! Evidence? What evidence can they have about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ but the Gospels? There is no "new evidence" in the details of Jesus' crucifixion! What utter nonsense it is to claim otherwise! To ignore the Gospel accounts completely like this is a certain betrayal of nefarious motives!

Further, the evidence of contemporary graffiti referencing crucifixion in general in the Roman Empire, and one specific graffito of Christ's crucifixion in particular (found, as memory serves, in Rome itself), seems to indicate clearly that the "standard" method of crucifixion is quite along the lines of the tradition portrayal of Jesus' crucifixion. Sure, the soldiers were allowed to indulge their whims sometimes, but there were actual methodologies taught to them about crucifixion, and these norms were generally followed.

There is no evidence, based on alleged "scholarship" or otherwise, that can demonstrate that crucifixion was not normally carried out in the way we're all familiar with as depicted in renderings of Christ's own crucifixion. As usual around Christmas and Easter, the materialists and atheists in the MSM have attempted yet again to cast novel forms of doubt on the reality of the Gospel accounts. This time, the BBC has taken its turn at the wheel. Here in the US, Time, Newsweek and US News and World report assault us in turn in similar fashion. But the result is always the same: poorly researched, breathlessly overwrought trumpetings of modern "scholarship" that are as thoroughly unconvincing in their theses as they are transparent in their motives!

As the Brits themselves might say: "This is a horse that won't run!"

[xzins]

I think they’ve fired off all their HE rounds.

[Gamecock]

hehehe

[SC DOC]

Medical Aspects of Crucifixion

[Philly Nomad]

I’m going to say it’s a bit of poetic license. Those Jews are such creative writers. We have many facts, but only one Truth.

Really, can you imagine Jesus saying stick your finger in my lower arm - that’s right between the Ulna and Radius.

[Always Right]

"They have clearly decided to go for this option because it's unusual and will jolt viewers and challenge them about their assumptions," she said.

Oh the truth comes out. It is not about accuracy, it is about creating controversy and thus free publicity.

[Tennessee Nana]

Really, can you imagine Jesus saying stick your finger in my lower arm - that’s right between the Ulna and Radius.
______________________________________________

God, who created the arms and hands on man, knows the difference..

It would have been in His word as “arm” if it was so...

[BibChr]

I thought of that same one

[Philly Nomad]

God wrote the bible, man edits.