The Popularizer: Bart Ehrman and the Secret Gospel of Mark
In 2003, Bart Ehrman was not yet the household name he would soon become, but he was steadily gaining prominence as a biblical scholar with a knack for making complex topics accessible to a broad audience. His later works, such as Misquoting Jesus, would cement his status as a bestselling author and media personality. However, Ehrman's entry into the controversy surrounding the Secret Gospel of Mark—a text purportedly discovered by Morton Smith—marked a significant moment in his career and the ongoing debate over the document's authenticity.
Ehrman's Background and Approach
Ehrman's scholarly roots lie in New Testament textual criticism, a field that delves into the original wording of biblical texts and how they have been altered over centuries. Under the tutelage of Bruce Metzger at Princeton Theological Seminary, Ehrman developed a critical approach that would later influence his views on the Secret Gospel. Metzger, known for his skepticism towards the authenticity of the Secret Gospel, likely imparted some of his doubts to Ehrman, shaping his perspective on Morton Smith's controversial discovery.
The Skeptical Turn
Ehrman's skepticism about the Secret Gospel of Mark became public in 2003, a pivotal time when new evidence about the manuscript was emerging. Charles Hedrick had recently published color photographs of the manuscript, separate from Smith's original black-and-white photos, revealing that others had also seen the manuscript. Additionally, Guy Stroumsa, a scholar from Hebrew University, recounted his 1976 visit to Mar Saba, where he saw the manuscript, further challenging the notion that Smith was the sole witness.
During a cocktail party in 2002, Ehrman learned from Stroumsa that the manuscript had been relocated to Jerusalem, sparking his deeper interest in the controversy. This revelation came just as Ehrman was finishing drafts for his books Lost Christianities and Lost Scriptures, where he explored early Christian texts and heresies.
Ehrman's Case Against the Secret Gospel
In his 2003 article in the Journal of Early Christian Studies, Ehrman laid out his arguments, organized into three categories: "hard to understand," "hard to explain," and "hard not to find amusing."
Hard to Understand: Ehrman questioned why Smith did not pursue further tests on the manuscript, suggesting that if Smith had nothing to hide, he would have sought additional verification. This line of reasoning implied that Smith's behavior might indicate guilt.
Hard to Explain: Ehrman highlighted discrepancies between the content of the letter attributed to Clement and his known writings. He pointed out that the letter urged Theodore to deny the Secret Gospel under oath, conflicting with Clement's other teachings against lying. Additionally, he noted the unusual vocabulary patterns in the letter, which seemed overly tailored to match Clement's known works.
Hard Not to Find Amusing: Ehrman found it suspicious that the letter ended abruptly at a crucial point, a feature reminiscent of a cliffhanger. He also scrutinized the dedications in Smith's books, particularly the cryptic "FOR THE ONE WHO KNOWS" in The Secret Gospel. Ehrman speculated that these dedications might hold hidden meanings, possibly hinting at Smith's involvement in a forgery.
The Impact of Ehrman's Analysis
Ehrman's analysis revived and legitimized the argument that Smith might have forged the Secret Gospel. This approach, focusing on subtle clues and the manuscript's context, inspired other scholars to look for similar "breadcrumbs" that might reveal Smith's hand in the creation of the text.
Ehrman's influence extended beyond academic circles. His increasing visibility in the early 2000s, culminating in his later media appearances and bestselling books, meant that his views on the Secret Gospel reached a wide audience. This visibility helped shape the public and scholarly discourse around the manuscript, encouraging further scrutiny and debate.
Conclusion
Bart Ehrman's entry into the debate over the Secret Gospel of Mark marked a significant development in the ongoing controversy. By questioning the authenticity of the manuscript and suggesting that Smith might have forged it, Ehrman brought renewed attention and a critical eye to one of the most contentious manuscript discoveries of the 20th century. His arguments and the subsequent discussions they inspired have ensured that the debate over the Secret Gospel's authenticity remains lively and unresolved.
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