The Ancient Box contains at least three concepts that may not be universally accepted as Christian theology. Adam is, after all, an archaeologist and not a trained theologian. Spoiler alert – stop here if you haven’t read the book.
1. “…his flesh shall not see decay.” In the book, tissue fragments from the body of Jesus Christ remain on earth and have not undergone decay. Mary spotted them – pieces of flesh ripped from his back – lodged in bone shards embedded in the leather thongs of a Roman scourge or whip. She was able to revitalize them into growing, healthy tissue cultures. The DNA therein was analyzed and the genome sequenced, which in turn verified that Jesus was a “new man” and not a descendant of Adam. Furthermore, the genome could be mined to provide gene therapy cures for heritable diseases. And, of course, this is where Mary’s triplets get their genomes.
2. “…the wages of sins is death.” Or, “if you don’t sin, you won’t die.” Adam explained his epiphany to Keith as to what happened to Jesus on the cross (chapter Sixty-Two). The main thought there is that Jesus was not going to die until the world’s sins had been transferred to him, something God could do by faith. At that point in time, Jesus deserved to die, but not before. That is how believers can know their sins no longer belong to them, because Jesus died. Had our sins not been transferred, he would not have died. This idea is behind the safety of the unborn triplets Mary carried. They were not a descendant of Adam and Eve; they had never sinned; and they were never going to die. They kept their mother safe, at least until birth.
3. Adam presented his theory of the Biblical Adam and Eve as a way to reconcile the age of the earth according to scientific measurements of time with what the book of Genesis says. He uses it as a tool for his profession (archaeology) only and is not sure how well he believes it. He keeps an open mind to other explanations for the discrepancy between an apparent recent creation with an earth that most scientists believe is about four and a half billion years old. He is not judgmental and doesn’t think a belief one way or the other with regards to the creation is a requirement for a follower of Christ
I invite anyone who wishes to challenge these three ideas or would like to submit their own concepts of other aspects of Christian theology that would benefit the readers of this page. Make it as long or short as you like and I will post the best ones here.
Now we come to a little contest I want to hold. The boys need names for my next novel. Please send your suggestions. The first person to submit all three names eventually chosen will receive a free copy of the next book and an acknowledgment here and in the front matter of that next book.
So, send me any theological concepts you would like to share with the internet world and/or three names for the boys in The Ancient Box. I can be reached at jb@jbbonham.com.
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