I do not presume that one can ever make an act of religious faith in the veracity -- or mendacity -- of an historical fact but only in the meaning, interpretation, or understanding of an historical fact.

I try, therefore, for my own integrity, to distinguish but not separate historical from theological judgment.

First, history.

It is a first-century tomb with six inscribed ossuaries of secure provenance and closed chain of control. The inscribed names are all common first-century ones but this is the question: is this cluster of names so similar to those closely associated with Jesus that it must be his family tomb beyond a reasonable doubt?

Further question: how, why, when, and by whom was this tomb disturbed in antiquity?

Conclusion: go excavate it properly and professionally.

Next, theology. I myself am not convinced -- but could be persuaded -- that this is the family tomb of Jesus. Were I convinced, it would neither destroy my Christianity nor destroy my faith in the resurrection of Jesus.

I have always believed that resurrection is a metaphor but a metaphor about the body of Jesus, a belief that he was crucified by Rome and raised by God so that, in other words, God is -- as always -- on a collision course with Empire.

Finding the bones of Jesus would not disturb my faith but finding they bore no wounds -- ah, that would be another matter.