The Jesus Dynasty--Why the Royal Family of Jesus was Forgotten

The speaker begins by questioning why John the Baptist and James, the brother of Jesus, who were historically significant in Jesus' life, have been marginalized in Christian history. Jesus praised John as the greatest born of women and entrusted the community to James. The speaker also introduces the concept of 'dynasties' in antiquity, including the possibility of a 'Jesus dynasty' with James leading the Nazarene community, and contrasts this with other known dynasties of the time, such as the Herodian and Julio-Claudian dynasties.

The speaker delves into the confusion surrounding the identity of James, who is often overlooked despite being named by Paul as one of the 'pillars' of the church. The discussion includes the various theories about the relationship between Jesus and James, such as whether they were full brothers, half brothers, stepbrothers, or cousins. The speaker also explores the implications of these relationships for the doctrine of the perpetual virginity of Mary and the potential impact on the orthodox Christian understanding of Jesus' family.

Building upon the previous discussion, the speaker presents a hypothesis regarding Clophas, a possible brother of Joseph, who might be the father of James and the other siblings mentioned in the Gospel of Mark. The speaker suggests that Mary, the mother of Jesus, could have been married to Clophas after Joseph's death, according to Jewish law and custom, which would make James and the others cousins of Jesus. This theory is explored in the context of the crucifixion and burial narratives, where different Gospels present varying accounts of the women present, potentially including Mary, the wife of Clophas.

The speaker introduces the Gospel of Thomas, discovered at Nag Hammadi, which contains sayings of Jesus that may reflect teachings similar to the hypothetical Q source. Of particular interest is saying 12, which suggests that James the Just was to be the leader of the disciples after Jesus' departure. The speaker discusses the possibility that this saying reflects the view of an apostolic community that regarded James as their leader, which aligns with Paul's reference to James, Peter, and John as the pillars of the church.

The speaker examines the New Testament, particularly the Acts of the Apostles, to highlight the subtle ways in which James is portrayed as a leader, despite Luke's focus on Paul. The speaker points out that James is mentioned only later in Acts, during a critical decision regarding the inclusion of Gentiles into the Christian movement. James is depicted as making a decisive statement that shapes the direction of the early Christian church, suggesting his significant role in the community.

The speaker discusses the organizational structure of the early Christian community, drawing parallels with the Council of the Yach or the Community from the Dead Sea Scrolls. The community appears to have a council of 12, with three prominent figures at the forefront: James, Peter, and John. The speaker suggests that this structure reflects a government in waiting, anticipating the return of the Son of Man, which would empower the saints to depose existing dynasties.

The speaker cites early Christian writers such as Clement of Alexandria and Hegesippus, who emphasize James' leadership role in the Jerusalem church. These sources suggest that James was widely recognized as the overseer of Jerusalem and the recipient of the tradition of knowledge after Jesus' resurrection. The speaker also mentions the Pseudo-Clementine Recognitions, which warn against false teachers and advocate adherence to the teachings of James and his successors.

The speaker recounts the death of James, as reported by Josephus, who describes James as being stoned to death by the Sanhedrin under the direction of Annas. The speaker suggests that James' death was part of a pattern of violence by the same group that killed Jesus and John the Baptist. The speaker also discusses the reaction of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, who were offended by James' execution, and the potential implications of this event for the Jewish people.

Following James' death, the speaker describes how the remaining apostles and family members of Jesus gathered to decide on a successor. They chose Simon, the son of Clopas, who might be another brother of Jesus, continuing the potential 'Jesus dynasty.' The speaker speculates on the succession of leaders, suggesting that the list of successors may represent a stable council rather than rapid turnovers, and that the family-led group of Jesus' original followers may have dispersed after the Bar Kokhba revolt.

The speaker concludes by reflecting on the development of the orthodox church, which followed the teachings of Paul and the bishops of Rome, largely erasing the memory of James and the family of Jesus from its narrative. The speaker aims to rehabilitate the memory of James and John the Baptist in Christian history, suggesting that their stories have been overlooked but can still be recovered from various sources.