Toward the End of the Conspiracy Theory Regarding the Origins of the Letter to Theodore

The authenticity of the Letter to Theodore, attributed to Clement of Alexandria and containing excerpts from the so-called Secret Gospel of Mark, has been a subject of heated debate since its discovery by Morton Smith in 1958. Conspiracy theories surrounding the letter often focus on the possibility of it being a modern forgery, purportedly created by Smith himself. However, recent scholarship and deeper analysis of historical contexts suggest that these theories may be reaching their end.

The Claims and the Evidence

One of the more sensational aspects of the conspiracy theories is the suggestion that Morton Smith, motivated by personal interests, forged the letter. The theory goes that Smith, who some speculate might have been gay, engineered the letter to include references to a "naked with naked" scene, insinuating a homoerotic subtext. Proponents of this theory argue that Smith could have:

1. Used Stahlin's Concordance: Allegedly flipping through a concordance to piece together a pastiche of Clementine and Markan texts.
2. Learned 18th-Century Handwriting: Forged the manuscript in a script mimicking that era.
3. Planted the Forged Manuscript: Placed it in the Mar Saba Monastery library with the help of a confederate or by sneaking it in himself.

Counterarguments and Scholarly Insights

Scholars such as Tselikas, an expert on the Mar Saba library, vehemently dismiss the feasibility of Smith planting the letter. Tselikas, who has intimate knowledge of the library, argues that the logistical and procedural realities of the library make such a clandestine operation implausible.

Additionally, the notion that the "naked with naked" phrase has a purely homoerotic connotation is increasingly being challenged. Historical and textual analyses show that this phrase, and similar ones, were used in early Christian writings to describe spiritual and mystical experiences rather than physical or sexual ones. For example, Gregory of Nazianzus uses "naked with naked" to describe the soul's pure interaction with the divine, free from corporeal bonds.

The Historical and Textual Context

In a eulogy for his father, Gregory of Nazianzus writes:

"I also believe that by his intercession more than his previous teaching, and so much the more since he draws near to God, having shaken off his bodily bonds and having released his mind from turbid mud, he is naked, [conversing] with the unincarnate [γυμνῷ γυμνὸς] Godhead, the foremost and purest mind, and is deemed worthy, if it is not bold to speak of this, of the rank and free access [to God] of angels."

This passage highlights the spiritual significance of being "naked" before God, emphasizing purity and direct communion with the divine, devoid of earthly attachments.

Moreover, historical figures such as Leontios of Jerusalem and Gregory of Antioch, who were associated with the Jerusalem Patriarchate, used similar language. This indicates a broader theological and mystical tradition that Smith would have needed extensive and nuanced knowledge to accurately forge, further complicating the forgery hypothesis.

The Persistence of Conspiracy Theories

Despite compelling counterarguments, some continue to adhere to the conspiracy theory, preferring the sensational narrative over the more mundane scholarly explanations. This preference can be attributed to a variety of factors, including psychological biases and the inherent allure of conspiracy theories.

Conclusion

As scholarship progresses and more evidence is scrutinized, the conspiracy theories regarding the origins of the Letter to Theodore appear increasingly untenable. The historical context and textual analyses provide a more plausible explanation for the contents and phrasing of the letter, situating it firmly within the mystical and theological traditions of early Christianity.

Ultimately, the persistence of conspiracy theories may say more about human nature than about the evidence at hand. The end of these theories seems near, driven by a growing consensus among scholars and the weight of historical context.