Morton Smith’s "Secret" Uncovered: A "Modern Forgery" Revealed

In the realm of biblical scholarship, few discoveries have sparked as much debate and controversy as the Secret Gospel of Mark. Morton Smith, a prominent scholar, claimed to have found this manuscript in 1958 at the Mar Saba monastery. However, in Stephen Carlson's book, The Gospel Hoax, he presents a compelling case that the Secret Gospel of Mark, along with the letter ascribed to Clement of Alexandria and the physical manuscript itself, are modern forgeries. Here, we delve into Carlson's main points, which suggest that Morton Smith himself created this elaborate hoax.

The Handwriting Analysis

Carlson's meticulous examination of the manuscript's handwriting reveals several red flags. The script, although designed to mimic an eighteenth-century style, shows hesitation and shakiness in the strokes, characteristic of someone trying to imitate an older handwriting style rather than writing naturally. This "forger's tremor" is a key indicator that the manuscript is a modern creation.

Stylistic and Vocabulary Inconsistencies

The letter attributed to Clement of Alexandria, known as the Letter to Theodore, is another piece of the puzzle. While it mimics Clement's style and vocabulary, it also exaggerates certain elements, creating a "hyper-Clementine" effect. This overemphasis on stylistic features suggests that the letter was crafted by someone intimately familiar with Clement's work but not by Clement himself. Carlson points out that such an exaggerated imitation is unlikely to have come from Clement’s own hand.

Modern References and Anachronisms

One of the most compelling arguments Carlson makes is the presence of modern references and anachronisms within the text. For example, the letter contains a simile that evokes modern salt-making technology, something that would not have been known or relevant in Clement’s time. Additionally, the language used in the Secret Gospel of Mark includes mid-twentieth-century expressions of sexuality, such as the phrase "spend the night with," which in contemporary English often implies a sexual encounter. This euphemism, charged with modern sexual connotations, would have been out of place in ancient writings.

The Triple Confession

Carlson identifies what he calls Smith's "triple confession" embedded in the hoax. Smith left clues throughout the manuscript and his accompanying commentary that point to his own involvement. For instance, he used the pseudonym M. Madiotes, which means both “baldy” and “swindler” in modern Greek, for the scribe. He also embedded allusions to his own name within the text and commentary and crafted a sphragis (a literary seal) that subtly indicated his authorship.

Means, Motive, and Opportunity

Carlson applies the classic "means, motive, and opportunity" framework to Smith’s involvement:

  • Means: Smith had the rare combination of skills needed to create the forgery. He was proficient in Greek, familiar with the library at Mar Saba, knowledgeable about eighteenth-century handwriting, and deeply versed in patristic literature and the Gospel of Mark.
  • Motive: Smith had personal and professional motives. At a vulnerable point in his career, creating a sensational discovery like the Secret Gospel of Mark could have bolstered his reputation and provided a significant boost to his scholarly standing. Additionally, Smith enjoyed provoking the religious and academic establishment, as noted by his colleagues and students.
  • Opportunity: Smith had the opportunity to plant the manuscript at Mar Saba during his visits. There is no evidence of the manuscript's existence before his discovery, and the physical manuscript’s portability would have made it easy to introduce into the monastery’s library.

The Hoax as a Scholarly Test

Carlson argues that the Secret Gospel of Mark was not just a forgery but a deliberate hoax designed to test the scholarly community. Smith embedded various clues about the text’s modern origins in places scholars typically would not scrutinize. These clues included modern allusions, linguistic anachronisms, and personal jokes that only someone familiar with twentieth-century culture and language would understand.

Conclusion

Stephen Carlson's The Gospel Hoax presents a thorough and convincing argument that the Secret Gospel of Mark is a modern forgery crafted by Morton Smith. By examining the handwriting, stylistic features, anachronisms, and personal confessions embedded in the manuscript and commentary, Carlson makes a compelling case that Smith created this elaborate hoax. The implications of this revelation are significant for biblical scholarship, prompting a reassessment of how such discoveries are authenticated and the motivations behind them.

For a deeper understanding of these arguments, you can refer to Stephen Carlson's book, The Gospel Hoax.

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