Flimsy Evidence
“Jacobovici has built a career making sensational claims about biblical artifacts tenuously linked to Jesus,” writes Tomes, “his family and disciples, purporting to reveal the ‘true history’ of early Christianity. He has not done this in the realm of academic research where claims are validated by scientific proof and stringent peer review. Instead Jacobovici operates in the ‘gray zone’ of the ‘docu-drama,’ deftly merging documentary with drama, where the ‘10-second sound bite’ and ‘15-second video clip,’ are spliced with one-sentence quotes by ‘experts’ to produce the ‘real story’ of Jesus. Within this realm it seems the smallest artifact—a few bone fragments, tomb graffiti—can be elevated to history-shattering prominence. Unrestricted by the sober judgment of seasoned researchers, Jacobovici’s outrageous claims, based on flimsy evidence, find an eager audience on TV shows television shows like Anderson Cooper 360, Larry King Live, The Oprah Winfrey Show and NBC Today.”