Conclusion: Jesus' Spiritual Resurrection and Ascension?
Conclusion: Jesus' Spiritual Resurrection and Ascension?
Those who hold the Talpiot Hypothesis seem to favor the conclusion that it is highly likely that this tomb contains the bones of Jesus of Nazareth and his family. Of the group, Tabor is the most cautious, claiming that this scenario is “possible-to-likely.” But since Tabor also thinks that it is likely that the James ossuary did come from the Talpiot Tomb, it would seem that he, too, believes that the entire hypothesis is “close to certain.”16
An intriguing issue is that Jacobovici has been reported many times as stating that these conclusions should not bother or offend Christians! He maintains this stance because he does not deny Jesus' resurrection or ascension to heaven, for these events could have happened spiritually. However, he does note that Christians who believe that Jesus rose bodily from the dead, or later ascended bodily to heaven would have issues with his conclusions.17
For example, the report on the Discovery Channel, in bold print, said:
Even if Jesus' body was moved from one tomb to another, however, that does not mean that he could not have been resurrected from the second tomb. Belief in the resurrection is based not on which tomb he was buried in, but on alleged sightings of Jesus that occurred after his burial and documented in the Gospels.18
The report continues with regard to Jesus' ascension:
Some Christians believe that this was a spiritual ascension, i.e., his mortal remains were left behind. Other Christians believe that he ascended with his body to heaven. If Jesus' mortal remains have been found, this would contradict the idea of a physical ascension but not the idea of a spiritual ascension. The latter is consistent with Christian theology.19
Tabor also stated his belief that the resurrection was not a material, bodily event, but a “spiritual resurrection.”20 Tabor develops this thesis, arguing chiefly that Paul held to less than bodily resurrection appearances, like the one he experienced. “God then raised Christ from the dead and transformed him back into his glorious heavenly body.” Further, Christians will also experience such a resurrection, with their bodies being “instantaneously changed from flesh to spirit.” It is only later that the Gospels portrayed Jesus' appearances as bodily in nature.21
The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio
Many scholars have reacted strongly against these ideas. The arguments on behalf of the Talpiot Hypothesis will be addressed in much detail in the next two chapters.