Simcha Jacobovici, a Canadian documentary maker specializing in biblical
archaeology, is suing a retired scientist and former archaeological
museum curator named Joe Zias, who has accused him of publicizing
scientifically dubious theories. Many of Jacobovici’s documentaries have
focused on artifacts that purport to reveal new interpretations of
early Christianity, including the notion that the remains of Jesus and
his family were buried in a tomb underneath modern-day Jerusalem.
Jacobovici claims that Zias’ criticisms are libelous and have cost him
television contracts and money.

Read more: http://world.time.com/2013/01/29/a-feud-between-biblical-archaeologists-goes-to-court/#ixzz2JOdIa3vO


Mmm so it is not about establishing fact, rather it is all about the money? Fascinating article though.

Jacobovici is obviously hoping that silencing his strongest critic (Joe Zias has been a thorn in many a so-called "biblical archaeologist's" arse for many years) he will then stem the huge tide of scholarly disdain for his pet project, one that has already earned him and his colleagues in the venture a tidy sum. However after the initial publicity-driven pushing of his claims forcibly into the public domain there has been a steadily stronger and more eloquent rebuttal by academia of nearly everything they entail.

Zias is a vulnerable figure - and a much weakened IAA financially won't be in a position to help him much if Jacobovici fulfils his threat to drag him through the courts. It's a strong-arm tactic of extremely dubious morality taken by someone who feels there should have been much more profit to be gained from his fanciful theories than he has managed to realise.

For a good example of an intelligent rebuttal of Jacobovici's claims one could do worse than read this review of the man's book by a Professor of Religion at la Verne University, Jonathan Reed. Reed might be motivated to respond by an aversion to Jacobovici's explicit denial of Jesus's resurrection but every point he makes is reasonable and valid - unlike those of the men who would now bankrupt and leave destitute a retired academician who had the temerity to objurgate their authors publicly.

Jonathan Reed - book review

As Nordmann says, the vast majority of Christians consider Jesus to have risen from the dead, I might also add that the vast majority of scholars agree that his disciples were convinced that [for whatever reason] that he had risen from the dead, and therefore reject the tomb of Jesus and his family theory. Of course those who do not believe that Jesus ever existed also reject the tomb theory. A rare case where the two are in agreement.

Another might be concerning 'The da Vinci code'.