New book claims Jesus was married with children
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Is it a real-life Da Vinci Code or a sensationalized novel? A new book released Wednesday titled “The Lost Gospel” claims Jesus had a wife and two children. Union University Biblical Studies Professor Ray Van Neste said it is common around Christmas and Easter for sensational things to come out about the Messiah. Van Neste said the title is the first thing false about “The Lost Gospel.” “There’s schools that have classes on this document, so it hasn’t been lost at all,” Van Neste said. “It’s not a gospel. It doesn’t even claim to be a gospel.” The book interprets a sixth century manuscript purchased by the British Museum in the 1800s and claims Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and fathered two children. “What they have to do is when they take Joseph and his Egyptian wife and insert Jesus for Joseph and insert Mary Magdalene for Joseph’s wife and ‘voilà ,'” Van Neste said. Van Neste said there is nothing in the text that suggests the author is talking about Jesus. He thinks America’s love for scandal helps a book like this. “A story about Joseph and his Egyptian wife is of no interest, but a story about Jesus suggesting he was married? Well then, that can get some interest,” Van Neste said. WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News spoke with West Tennesseans who support the new book and some who believe this could never be true. “It could be made up, but like I said, if it is true I think it’s good,” Janis Dochod said. “I don’t personally believe what it says,” Meredith Roland said. “I am a Christian, and what I’ve read and understand from the Bible, there’s no facts or evidence to back that up that Jesus was married and had those children.” Van Neste thinks it is a good opportunity to show young people the truthfulness of the scriptures. One of the authors is an Emmy-winning investigative producer and filmmaker who has claimed in the past to have found the actual tomb of Jesus.
