ABC Special Explores if Jesus Had Wife

Atlanta Journal-Constitution ^ | 10.30.03 | DAVID BAUDER

[mhking]

NEW YORK — ABC News correspondent Elizabeth Vargas concedes her network is stepping into a theological minefield with its one-hour exploration of whether Jesus Christ had a wife.

The ABC News special, "Jesus, Mary and DaVinci," is scheduled to air Monday at 8 p.m. ET.

"You can't talk about this subject without intriguing people or offending people," Vargas said Thursday. "We're trying to do it as respectfully as we can."

ABC screened the special for some reporters and religious leaders on Thursday. The program is based on the best-selling novel, "The DaVinci Code," which claims to be partly grounded on historical fact.

The book asserts that Mary Magdalene was Jesus' wife — not a prostitute, as in some teachings — and that she fled Jerusalem with his child following his crucifixion.

The story was kept alive for centuries by a secret society that included the painter Leonardo DaVinci, who supposedly inserted clues about it in his art, the book claimed.

The ABC special outlines the theories and speaks to several theologians who either discount the story or assert that it is possible.

The show unravels like a mystery perpetuated by secondhand gossip. Vargas said ABC found no proof that Jesus had a wife, but couldn't completely discount it, either.

Vargas, who was raised a Roman Catholic, said her own parents said to her, "Oh, my goodness, what are you doing?" when they found out she was working on the story.

She said she was never aware of the power struggles and political intrigue that went into how her faith is taught today.

"For me, it's made religion more real and, ironically, much more interesting — which is what we're hoping to do for our viewers," she said.

It drew some immediate criticism, particularly from a representative of the Catholic League, who said ABC News relied too heavily on the opinion of Father Richard McBrien of Notre Dame, who believes Mary Magdalene's importance has been historically understated and that it's possible she was his wife.

"I think it was not sufficiently balanced," said Joseph DeFeo, policy analyst for the Catholic League. "The majority of the people who spoke believed in either the plausibility or the outright truth of (book author) Dan Brown's claims. The facts themselves scream out that this is a crackpot theory."

The show even drew criticism from Nikki Stephanopoulos, mother of ABC News correspondent George and the communications director for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. She the special might offend people who believe that women have a more prominent role in the church.

[xsmommy]

postulating that Jesus was married is a heresy. it negates the divinity of Christ.

[Askel5]

You were excused, of course, from the little get-together. (I'd been wearing my Yankees cap that week ... even if I really wanted the Red Sox to win ... =)

Thanks, guy. The author's got a new book out now, doesn't he? I got the impression this all might be a good means to revisit the first book as they plug the second.

[Askel5]

Excused ... but missed. =)

Next time, I hope!

[Cincinatus]

Nicolas Poussin, Les bergers d'Arcadia (The Shepherds of Arcadia)

[Xenalyte]

But if Jesus is human infused with divine grace, how does participating in a human ritual negate the divine part? I thought divinity was sufficiently powerful to overcome such ideas.

[4CJ]

And one wonders how these people are going to at least try to explain their actions to the Almighty

We'll get to watch. It's revolting what the dims will do to destroy someone they disagree with. Anyone PRO-Life, Heterosexual, and Christian is a target. Heaven forbid if you are a white, Southern conservative male also.

[johnb838]

why is this even an issue?

Part of the ongoing attack on Christian chastity as a virtue.

[Donaeus]

"We're trying to do it as respectfully as we can."

This is a statement to disarm anyone who has an objection to what ABC is doing and make dissenters come off as closed-minded and inflexible at best. If ABC had any respect for God, Jesus and the Bible not only would they never have touched this story, about 85+% of their programming would never be produced much less distributed.

The Bible is silent on the personal relationships He maintained except for those with His apostles and even that is limited. The Scriptures do not cover this information because it is has no bearing on His purpose or our salvation. It is worse than hubris to speculate where God has not revealed, it is absolute blasphemy.

[eastsider]

I hope so, too (especially if you give us some notice ... : )

Hope all is well, and trust that you guys had a good time.

[Donaeus]

Absolutely! Couldn't have said it better myself.

[Tall_Texan]

And still ABC will say nothing about Juanita Broaddrick but they have no problem smearing Jesus with far less proof.

[dangus]

Actually, it would've... It'd make his willing death not only an abandonment of his earthly mother (which we all must do), but also of his wife.

(Of course, if you're Catholic or Orthodox, it would refute priestly celibacy.)

If you're familiar with the book, the whole thing is a mockery of Christianity which supposes that the early church was a bunch of evil, hate-filled, misogynistic men, and by extension, if we follow in their footsteps, we perpetuate the evil, hatred and misogyny.

[Grampa Dave]

All veterans who served during the Cold War period, 2 September 1945 -26 December 1991 can get a certificate of recognition for their service.

I can't remember where to send to get it. You send a copy of your discharge paper showing time of service to the Dept of Defense.

I have one, and it will passed on to my grandkids.

[Normally a Lurker]

LOL

(been there, done that)

[dangus]

Actually, I agree... Jesus was the role model for the vocation of priesthood. His actions would be harmful to his wife, and she would be just to be angered by them. It is the manner of our creation to leave our parents, but not to leave our wives.

[proud American in Canada]

That was an outstanding post.

"If He married on earth it's not our BUSINESS. He was without sin, and went to His death a completely innocent sacrifice for sin."

That is a beautiful statement, imo. I realize I may get flamed for this, but I believe that wholeheartedly and could not have said it better myself.

[keats5]

This is the "Last Temptation of Christ" revisited. That book describes Christ's temptation to forego the whole crucificion scene, to marry Mary Magdalene and raise kids.

[ken5050]

In a perfect world, this show would air on ABC, while CBS was showing the Reagan movie, and PBS was showing an interview with Michael Moore...

[Porterville]

Why?? What is the point?? I have no problem with the show or the question, what I have a problem with is the ONLY show on Jesus they do is an attempt to question the Christian belief system.... communist propaganda, typical.

[Donaeus]

Scholars have recently debated whether or not satan had a wife (known as Mrs. Satan.) it is possible that she is currently on the board of directors of ABC, and possibly on the democratic national committee. Although there is no evidence at all to support this theory, ABC News said that the theory could not be completely disproven.

Mrs. Satan is a senator from NY.

Exactly what I was thinking. A bit let down that Mrs. Satan's ambitions only rise to the DNC, after all, he offered the Lord all the kingdoms of the earth. I guess she won't bow to Mr. S. either.