SHOW ME THE MONEY: Capitalizing on the growth industry of Biblical revisionism

Director James Cameron, of "Terminator" and "Titanic" fame, has put his name back in the news for the first time in many years. Will his new Discovery Channel video venture — launched along with a book by Simcha Jacobovici — make him as much money and bring as much fame as his last hit, "Titanic," which grossed over a billion dollars worldwide? Well, at the very least he's created a new controversy. His claim? That he has DNA evidence to prove that a bunch of "bone boxes" found in Jerusalem twenty seven years ago came from the tomb of Jesus, his mother Mary, his "wife" Mary Magdelene, and a number of his siblings. Oh, yes...and lets not forget the bones of Jesus and Mary Magdelene's "son" Judah, who was also uncovered in the archeological dig. This, of course, would be the grandson of God if Cameron is correct. Take that, Dan Brown. James Cameron just one-upped you in a big way.

And the best part of this sensational story? It has real sects appeal!

Never mind that Bar-Ilan University Prof. Amos Kloner, the Jewish archeologist who actually oversaw the dig and has done most of the work on the project in the years since, calls Cameron's claim sheer "nonsense." Kloner has stated that the names on the ossuaries only resemble some of the names of people in Jesus' family, and as Jesus was a Galilean, there's virtually no chance whatsoever that he or any members of his family would have been buried in a middle-class family's tomb in Jerusalem.

As for the DNA evidence, what can Cameron possibly be talking about? Unless someone has some of Christ's DNA (they don't) or that of a member of his family (again, none available) how can he make such a claim? At the very least, he might be able to show that some of the people buried in the crypt are related in some way, but that's the best he could hope for under the circumstances. To make any claims beyond that is sheer speculation. For a media outlet like the Discovery Channel to start stooping to such sensationalism creates even more speculation. Have they just given up on the notion of journalistic integrity? Or are they just more interested in ratings at any cost?

In the end, money and controversy seem to be motiviating factors. It appears that Cameron and Jacobovici are simply trying to make a buck and rake some muck by playing Biblical Crypt Keepers to a gullible public that will cough up any amount of money to have their ears tickled by some slick hucksters with a sensationalistic story. Remember, this is the same pair of dudes who brought us "The Exodus Decoded" a few years back, another Discovery Channel film that claimed to explain away every major feature of the Exodus story. In light of this latest release, it appears that their previous effort at Biblical revisionism was designed to soften up their theologically-challenged audience for the big sucker punch to follow.

JESUS LOVES PORN STARS: The controversy continues for the XXX Church

Just a few weeks ago I watched a short segment on ABC's Nightline in which correspondent Martin Bashir visited a pornography convention in Las Vegas. His intent was to interview Craig Gross and J.R. Mahon, two very controversial young men who founded the XXX Church as a means to combat pornography and offer hope to any lost souls foundering within the industry. I'd read about these two men on several occasions and was shocked to learn that their ministry has been attacked repeatedly in the press, and most often by other Christians who think they've gone too far in trying to take the Gospel to the fringes of society.

Their approach is unorthodox, to be sure, and the bulk of the criticism they receive is aimed at the New Testament they distribute. They print the book's cover in bright yellow and magenta, and the cover illustration is a graphic of what appears to be a 1970s-era portrait of a male porn star, with the title emblazoned beneath: "Jesus Loves Porn Stars," which plays off the notion that Christ hates sin, but loves the sinner. But that's about as extreme as it gets, and their approach to dealing with the pornography industry, as well as trying to get people to stop viewing online porn, is simply to confront them with some practical facts. Pornography, they say, doesn't deal with real relationships. It degrades women and represents all the worst things about male fantasies in that it doesn't require a man to have a real relationship with a real woman. Without a real relationship, they say, you won't learn to respect one another and that will prevent you from creating a true and loving relationship, as God intended.

They don't spend a lot of time preaching to anyone, and their approach is very non-confrontational. They simply hand out their colorful Bibles at their events (which are extremely popular everywhere they go), talk briefly about their mission, and let people know that Christ is ready for a relationship with them whenever they're ready. From what I gathered after watching the Nightline piece, they're two very intelligent and committed young men who love God and want to share the Good News. Their doctrine is surprisingly sound, even more so than some of our so-called "Religious Leaders," men who so frequently can't seem to open their mouths on television without letting slip some terribly judgmental comment about those they don't agree with.

What's particularly interesting is that Craig Gross frequently get booked at colleges and other venues to debate the dangers of pornography with porn star Ron Jeremy, who's filmed over 1,800 porn films in his long career. Gross and Mahon haven't managed to sway Ron from his career choice, but their friendship with him is genuine, and Jeremy appears to truly respect them even though he clearly doesn't agree with their worldview. However, the simple fact that he respects their earnest approach seems to indicate that they've had an effect on him. The most telling moment in the Nightline piece came when Bashir, who had Gross and Jeremy together at the porn convention, asked Gross if he thought Ron Jeremy was going to hell for making those 1,800 porn films. It was just the sort of loaded question that media types usually ask, and yet it's a fair test of a Christian's understanding of Christ's message.

Jeremy laughed, folded his arms, and waited for a response. Gross's answer, however, surprised both Jeremy and Bashir. After a short and thoughtful pause, Gross basically replied, "Well, for starters you can disregard those 1,800 porn films, because they certainly won't keep him out of heaven. In the end, I don't know where Ron will end up because he still has choices to make down the road, choices that could lead him toward God."

It was a simple but impressive response, and a beautiful moment as well. Gross clearly understands the concept of Grace, and he also clearly understands that he has no right to judge Ron Jeremy. Why? Because he has no idea where Ron Jeremy's heart will be at his life's end. Gross understands that we're all on spiritual journeys and our futures are filled with many choices. Based upon his response, it seems pretty clear that Gross is praying for Ron Jeremy's soul and hopes that the porn star eventually makes the right choice. For that he should have the support of fellow Christians, not their scorn.

A WING AND A PRAYER: A review of our Presiding Bishop's new book

Before you're even halfway through this trim volume (a collection of homilies on a wide variety of subjects) you'll realize that the author has a firm grasp of orthodox theology as well as a broad and compassionate sense of mission for all believers. She tells of positive encounters with people of other faiths, and she comes away from the experiences with a clear sense that anyone seeking God, no matter what their path, is moving in the same direction as she is. What's particularly amazing is that she treats these people as her equals and relates these encounters without resorting to Christian triumphalism. She possesses a very clear vision of Christ's mission and works daily to live it by example.

I was particularly impressed by the way she tries to deal with anyone she doesn't understand, doesn't get along with, or doesn't agree with, no matter whether they're family, or someone of a different faith or belief system that she encounters half a world away. She reminds herself that no matter who they are, they're still a child of God, even if it's not easy for her to see that. She prays, "Oh God, let me see your image in this person, and may they see your image in me as well." It's a simple yet powerful prayer, and one that we should all take to heart.

As an Episcopalian, I'm well aware—from a number of comments made in the press over the years—that some prominent Christians have judged the Episcopal church as being too welcoming, too ecunemical and sometimes too tolerant, but that's an oversimplification of the situation, and something Schori attempts to address through the passages in this book. The Episcopal Church has broad shoulders, and she appears to believe it operates in part on the notion that it would rather be judged for being too compassionate than be judged for being too judgmental and divisive through legalistic interpretations of Scripture, such as using some of the 613 Old Testament laws to condemn others while overlooking our own inablility to follow them all. I was very pleased that at no time in this book did she ever let her message get dragged down in strict legalism, doctrinal disputes or political issues, instead choosing to focus nearly all her energies on teaching us how to become living examples of the greatest commandment, that we strive to love one another.

The new presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church reminds us that God came in the flesh for everyone, and responds to anyone who truly seeks Him. She points out that in the Book of Isaiah, God makes it abundantly clear that when the Kingdom arrives, people will come from all the world and all the nations, and the most important thing we can do on our watch is to be good ambassadors for our faith. In this wonderful little book, she lays out her vision and introduces herself to a world that's certainly in need of more like her. This book will allow you to get to know her on a personal level, and I hope and pray that she has a impactful and fruitful term as our new Presiding Bishop.