Israel: Archaeologists Uncover Inscriptions in Jesus’ Language
Archaeologists in Israel have uncovered ancient epitaphs in both Greek and Aramaic which date back to the first century. CBN News reports that the inscriptions were found in a cemetery which is located in the ancient Galilean capital city of Zippori. “Zippori was the first capital of Galilee from the time of the Hasmonean dynasty until the establishment of Tiberias in the first century CE. The city continued to be central and important later on,” researchers explained in a press release announcing the discovery. Four words which are part of the inscriptions were thus far able to be decoded. One word, in Greek, means “Jose,” a common Jewish name during the period, the three other words are Aramaic for “the Tiberian,” “forever,” and “rabbi.”
Motti Aviam of the Kinneret Institute for Galilean Archaeology stated that “the Tiberian” could refer to the hometown of the deceased, Tiberias. The word “forever” denotes that the deceased’s burial place will always belong to him. Scholars are unsure precisely what the word “rabbi” meant at the time of its inscription. This discovery is important because it proves the existence of a Jewish community in the region from ancient times–something which the Palestinian Authority continually denies. “The Jewish life in the city was rich and diverse as indicated by the numerous ritual baths (miqwe’ot) discovered in the excavation; while at the same time the influence of Roman culture was also quite evident as reflected in the design of the town with its paved streets, colonnaded main roads, theater and bathhouses. The wealth of inscriptions from the cemeteries attests to the strong Jewish presence and the city’s social elite in the late Roman period,” researchers concluded.
China: Controversy Emerges When Church Expands into Confucius’ Hometown
Ancient Chinese Confucianism is being confronted by Christianity as conflict arises over a Christian church looking to expand in a region that is known as Confucius’ hometown. TIME.com reports that Confucius’ hometown of Qufu in eastern China’s Shandong province has long been a bastion of ancient Chinese spirituality. Though China’s Communist party has tried to eradicate religion in the past, Confucianism is seeing a rebirth in China, just as many Christians are being persecuted and their churches demolished. The presence of a Christian church less than two miles from Qufu’s main Confucian temple is currently sparking debate.
One prominent Confucian scholar, Zeng Zhenyu, believes that a Christian church has no place so close to the sacred spot of Confucius’ hometown.
“Qufu in China is like Jerusalem and Mecca,” Zeng, a professor at Shandong University’s Advanced Institute for Confucian Studies, told TIME. “It’s the Chinese people’s spiritual home.” You can build churches in other places,” he continued. “But you can’t build them in Qufu, an iconic and holy spiritual place for the Chinese people.” Others, however, such as neo-Confucian Chen Ming, believe that Confucian philosophy welcomes all with peace. “It’s inappropriate to escalate the dispute into a conflict between Confucianism and Christianity, like a clash of civilizations,” he told TIME.