The Anatomy of an Academic Hoax: Morton Smith’s Secret Uncovered

Scholars have long created images of Jesus that reflect their own times and beliefs. Morton Smith's Secret Gospel of Mark is no exception, and Stephen Carlson, in his book The Gospel Hoax, delves deeply into how Smith's work fits into this tradition and exposes it as a sophisticated academic hoax.

Creating an Illusion: Misdirection in Secret Mark

Carlson explains that Smith used techniques similar to those of stage magicians, focusing on misdirection to create the illusion of authenticity. To make the Secret Gospel of Mark appear genuine, it had to be in ancient Greek and show pre-modern handwriting. Smith succeeded in this, unlike other failed biblical hoaxes.

Smith distracted scholars by including a lot of irrelevant information about nocturnal baptisms and ascents into heaven, which diverted attention from key issues regarding authenticity. He also buried significant details in obscure publications, ensuring they were overlooked by mainstream academics.

Trust and Expertise in Academia

Smith exploited the trust scholars place in experts from other fields. He had paleographers verify the handwriting of the manuscript, but these experts were not familiar with the intricacies of Clement of Alexandria's work or pre-Markan gospel traditions. This reliance on cross-disciplinary trust worked to Smith’s advantage, as most experts saw no reason to doubt the manuscript’s authenticity.

The Role of Ideology

Carlson points out that the acceptance of Secret Mark can also be attributed to ideological biases within academia. Scholars often want to believe in discoveries that fit their theories or support their perspectives. This desire can lead to a suspension of skepticism, even when warning signs are present.

Harold Love's observation that a fake often appears "too good to be true" is relevant here. Secret Mark offered something highly desirable to scholars at the time—new insights into early Christian texts—making them more willing to accept it despite potential red flags.

The Piltdown Man Parallel

Carlson draws a parallel between the Secret Gospel of Mark and the Piltdown Man hoax, one of the most famous academic deceptions in history. Both cases involved initial enthusiasm, subsequent controversy, and eventual marginalization as new evidence emerged. The psychological factors driving acceptance in both cases included a desire to settle contemporary debates and gain prestige.

Conclusion: The Role of Faith in Academia

Carlson’s analysis shows that even in academia, trust and ideological desires can lead to the acceptance of false evidence. The story of Secret Mark is a cautionary tale about the vulnerabilities of scholarly expertise and the impact of misdirection.

For those interested in a deeper dive into this intriguing case, Stephen Carlson's The Gospel Hoax provides a detailed and convincing analysis. You can explore more about this topic in his book The Gospel Hoax.