The Jesus Scroll
Novels about a sacred bloodline were written over thirty years before The Da Vinci Code. The earliest popular novel was The Jesus Scroll, written in 1972 by Donovan Joyce, also believed; Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene, Jesus did not die on the cross, and that Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a bloodline. Joyce had a different ending to his book rather than Jesus' crucifixion. He stated that Jesus died in Israel during the Roman siege of the fortress. Joyce claimed there were fourteen manuscript scrolls found in the fortress of Masada, one that was written by Jesus of Kinneret. Joyce makes the bold claim that Jesus of Kinneret is identical with Jesus Christ. The Jesus Scrolls describes evidence that Jesus was descended from the Maccabees, that he was never crucified and that he was killed at the fall of Masada, where the scrolls lie.
Joyce claimed he tried to view the sacred scrolls while on a dig in Masada in 1964, but an archaeologist prevented him from doing so. Joyce further claimed another archaeologist, Dr. Grosset, asked Joyce to help him smuggle the scrolls out of Masada. Eventually, according to Joyce, Dr. Grosset stole the scrolls on his own and showed them to Joyce in the bathroom at the airport. Next, Grosset brought them onto the airplane with him, later to bring to to Russia and present it to Soviet leaders in hopes of striking up a deal.
Most theologians and scholars disprove Joyce's claims, and believe he made up the story to boost book sales. Scholars explain that Joyce lacks verifiable evidence.
Most theologians and scholars disprove Joyce's claims, and believe he made up the story to boost book sales. Scholars explain that Joyce lacks verifiable evidence.