koan
Unfortunately in both "The Origin of the Cross" and that last piece of writing the author gives absolutely no references whatsoever.
This leaves everything s/he said in doubt. It could be purely an attempt at creative writing or an out and out attmept to deceive the reader.
???????
S/he is also taking a literalist view of the Bible which of course is contrary to the way it was written and its intent and purpose. Midrash cannot be taken that way it must be read as midrash.
The fact of the matter is we know very little about the crucifixion of Jesus other then he was crucified. A close reading of the Gospels clearly shows discrepencies between the stories and also the facts concerning the burial of Jesus, Thus his/her criticisms are of little value since the facts are themselves not clear.
Shalom
Ted