Scott Brown's Twelve Enduring Misconceptions About "To Theodore" Misconception #12: Smith Could Have Used a Secret Accomplice

One of the most persistent misconceptions about Mar Saba 65 is the idea that Morton Smith might have employed a secret accomplice to forge the document. This notion, however, is more aligned with Hollywood dramatizations than with reality.

The Hollywood Fantasy

In many Hollywood dramas, when someone needs a fake document, there's always a character who knows a forger capable of producing a convincing counterfeit. These forgers are portrayed as accessible figures within the criminal underworld, ready to whip up a plausible document on short notice. However, this portrayal is far removed from the real-world complexities of forging historical documents.

The Reality of Historical Forgery

In reality, the expertise required to forge a centuries-old monastic hand with a quill pen and faded iron gall ink is exceedingly rare. Forgers of historical documents typically work independently, selling their own creations either directly or through brokers. They operate in secrecy to avoid the significant risks associated with their illegal activities. The case of Mark Hofmann, a notorious forger who even committed murder to protect his secret, exemplifies the lengths to which these individuals will go to avoid detection.

The Improbability of Finding an Accomplice

Given the clandestine nature of professional forgers, it is highly improbable that Smith could have found such a person. Even more unlikely is the prospect that both Smith and this hypothetical forger would trust each other to keep their collaboration a secret. The notion of a secret conspirator with all the necessary skills and discretion is an ad hoc hypothesis, lacking evidence and plausibility.

Expert Opinions on the Matter

Forensic handwriting analysts, such as Anastasopoulou, have concluded that the writing in Mar Saba 65 appears natural and spontaneous. Dismissing these expert judgments in favor of an elaborate conspiracy theory is unwarranted. As Osborn noted, those who challenge genuine documents often raise the specter of a secret accomplice. Roy A. Huber and A. M. Headrick further assert that “the likelihood of there being an involvement of a willing person, having the necessary qualifications, at the right time and place, seems extremely remote” (1999, 273–274).

Authenticity of Mar Saba 65

Photographic evidence of Mar Saba 65 supports its authenticity as the work of someone who naturally wrote in the style found in the manuscript. The document exhibits the quick and skilful characteristics typical of an eighteenth-century monk or scholar. These findings align with the assessments of multiple experts who have examined the photographs.

Conclusion

The idea that Morton Smith used a secret accomplice to forge Mar Saba 65 is not only highly improbable but also unnecessary. The evidence strongly supports the conclusion that the document is a genuine piece of historical writing, naturally and skilfully executed by an eighteenth-century hand. Embracing this expert-supported conclusion over an unlikely conspiracy theory is the more reasonable stance.

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