Unraveling the Mystery of the "Secret Gospel of Mark": Insights from Stephen Carlson's The Gospel Hoax (Part 1)

In 1958, Morton Smith, an assistant professor at Columbia University, made a groundbreaking claim that he had discovered a previously unknown letter by Clement of Alexandria during his visit to the Mar Saba monastery. This letter allegedly contained references to a secret version of the Gospel of Mark, a discovery that promised to be as sensational as the Dead Sea Scrolls or the Nag Hammadi manuscripts. However, the authenticity of this find has been a subject of intense debate ever since. Stephen Carlson, in his book The Gospel Hoax, provides a meticulous and thorough investigation into the origins and authenticity of this controversial text, arguing that it is a modern forgery.

For those interested in diving deeper into Carlson's detailed analysis and arguments, you can access his work here.

The Initial Sensation

When Smith announced his discovery, the contents of the so-called "Secret Gospel of Mark" were nothing short of stunning. The secret passage, written in a style characteristic of Mark, told the story of a youth who had been buried in a tomb. His sister came to Jesus and begged him to resurrect her brother. Contrary to the Lazarus account in the Gospel of John, the youth was still alive when Jesus reached him. The text continued with an even more provocative narrative: "the youth comes to him, wearing a linen cloth over his naked body. And he remained with him that night, for Jesus taught him the mystery of the kingdom of God."

Preservation and Controversy

Unlike the Dead Sea Scrolls or Nag Hammadi manuscripts, the "Secret Gospel of Mark" was not preserved in an ancient document. Instead, it was found as a quotation in a previously unknown letter attributed to Clement of Alexandria, copied into the endpapers of a 17th-century book of Ignatius' genuine letters. The manuscript's Greek handwriting resembled that of the 18th century, raising questions about its authenticity.

Physical tests to confirm the antiquity of the Dead Sea Scrolls cannot be applied here, as the manuscript has never been secured for laboratory study and has since been lost. Smith photographed the text in 1958 but left the manuscript in the monastery's library. The manuscript was last seen by Western scholars in 1976, transferred to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate library in Jerusalem, and subsequently misplaced. Thus, the only surviving traces are photographs taken in 1958 and 1976.

The Debate Intensifies

The mix of sex and religion in the "Secret Gospel of Mark" quickly sparked controversy. When Smith published his findings in 1973, some reviews were unusually strident and personal. Stephen Carlson points out that this debate soon led to insinuations of forgery. In 1975, Quentin Quesnell delicately broached the issue of forgery, generating a heated exchange with Smith.

Forensic Handwriting Analysis

One of the most compelling parts of Carlson's argument is his forensic analysis of the handwriting of the purported letter. Drawing on the science of forgery detection, Carlson presents evidence suggesting that the handwriting is consistent with someone attempting to mimic an 18th-century style. This finding is significant because it suggests the letter was created much later than originally claimed, pointing to the possibility of a modern forgery.

Motives and Opportunities

Carlson delves into the background of Morton Smith, arguing that Smith had both the opportunity and the motive to create the letter himself. Smith’s extensive knowledge of ancient texts and his unique access to the Mar Saba library positioned him perfectly to execute such a hoax. Carlson posits that Smith’s motive might have been to challenge the scholarly community and expose its vulnerabilities.

Scholarly Reception and Impact

Carlson’s findings have sparked intense debate within the academic community. Some scholars remain reluctant to accept that Smith, a respected member of their field, could have fabricated the letter. Scholarship, as Carlson points out, relies heavily on trust and adherence to ethical standards. The idea that one of their own could perpetrate such a hoax is deeply unsettling.

Nevertheless, Carlson’s thorough and well-researched case has made it increasingly difficult to ignore the possibility that the "Secret Gospel of Mark" is a forgery. His work has forced scholars to reconsider their positions and has highlighted the need for rigorous scrutiny in the authentication of ancient texts.

Conclusion

Stephen Carlson’s The Gospel Hoax is a pivotal work in the ongoing debate over the authenticity of the "Secret Gospel of Mark." By combining forensic handwriting analysis, a detailed examination of historical context, and an exploration of Morton Smith's potential motives, Carlson presents a compelling case that the letter is a modern forgery. This conclusion, if accepted, has profound implications for the study of early Christianity and underscores the importance of vigilance and skepticism in scholarly research.

For those interested in delving deeper into Carlson's arguments and the broader controversy, you can access his detailed study here.