Have ancient books uncovered the record of early Messianic followers?

ctsp 04-1-2011 1 Comment

Over the past week, I have received both on FB and email, a number of requests to offer some words on the “new” find of some Jordanian “ancient” lead codices. One very important caveat: I have no first hand information to offer (I have not seen the objects nor handled them), but I have carefully combed what little has been released and offer a few first glances.

The archaeological finds include what has been reported as a collection of 70 ring-bound books made of lead and copper that are about the size of credit cards, along with loose artifacts of other scroll fragments and tablets. The codices are encoded in Hebrew lettering that has not been deciphered. One report suggests other small finds, but fails to specify an exact inventory. Both BBC and the Daily Mail released photos that belong to David Elkington.

One of my former profs, Dr. Ray Pritz, wrote his doctoral information on the flight of the early Messianic movement to Pella in the Jordan Valley, at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem. Believers apparently interpreted Jesus’ warnings to flee the city at the time of the Roman assault in 70 CE. Some posit the idea that these codices are relics of early Christian origin refugees that are Jewish and Messianic, making them extremely rare and significant – if genuine. In the BBC report, Margaret Barker, makes the point:

“We do know that on two occasions groups of refugees from the troubles in Jerusalem fled east, they crossed the Jordan near Jericho and then they fled east to very approximately where these books were said to have been found,” she says. “[Another] one of the things that is most likely pointing towards a Christian provenance, is that these are not scrolls but books. The Christians were particularly associated with writing in a book form rather than scroll form, and sealed books in particular as part of the secret tradition of early Christianity.”

The possibility of a find that will add to our knowledge of the early period of Christianity (the releases say it is from the first century!) is very tantalizing. The BBC original story reported as follows:

“They could be the earliest Christian writing in existence, surviving almost 2,000 years in a Jordanian cave. They could, just possibly, change our understanding of how Jesus was crucified and resurrected, and how Christianity was born. A group of 70 or so “books”, each with between five and 15 lead leaves bound by lead rings, was apparently discovered in a remote arid valley in northern Jordan somewhere between 2005 and 2007. A flash flood had exposed two niches inside the cave, one of them marked with a menorah or candlestick, the ancient Jewish religious symbol….”

All that being said, I want to slow the discussion to add that much care needs to be exercised at this point. There are claims, but the finds have not been properly examined by academic parties. We don’t have an academic team assembled at the site of the finds, and cannot verify their chain of custody. We don’t have physical CONTEXT for the finds, essential in dating them. We don’t have a full and complete examination of the texts themselves BEFORE the claims of great implication are raised.

The case FOR the finds may be a simple one: Forgery is exponentially more difficult as the volume of material is increased. If a forger wants to get caught, make 70 books and let them be examined. It is nearly impossible to get such a volume of information accepted by the academic community. The sheer volume argues in favor of the items genuine nature.

Bolen makes the point when he says: “Professor Philip Davies has examined some of the finds (or photographs?) and he seems to believe that the script is authentic…” Yet, elsewhere in the article he reminds: “Andre Lemaire, a world-class scholar who is not quick to classify illegally excavated items as forgeries, does not believe these are genuine.”

For the sake of time, let me briefly lay out some notes of caution:

First, though the story was bound to get traction with the press release, with a bit of sleuthing you can easily find evidence that the story is not new – though the current promoters act as it is. The codices (books) were apparently discovered just over five years ago and several scholars chased down leads on rumors that appeared on the internet by mid-2007. When a story undergoes a PUSH in the press, you can guarantee it is either the most spectacular find that has stunned the archaeological community (which very rarely happens), or it is in the hands of “Madison Avenue” type press people.

Second, we apparently are being treated to feeds of information because of David and Jennifer Elkington, a couple that have been repeatedly interviewed releasing information concerning the finds. They may be the “saviors” of the find, but they are also part of the problem in ascertaining the veracity of the goods. Elkington’s release is timed, according to reports, to his fear that the owner may now be trying to sell the objects – though his specific relationship to the items is, at best, unclear. BBC reported about Elkington: “..David Elkington, a scholar of ancient religious archaeology who is heading a British team trying to get the lead books safely into a Jordanian museum.” Yet, Todd Bolen’s presentation on Elkington suggests generosity on the part of BBC:

“Finally, the role of David Elkington in all of this is very problematic. In his own press release, he says of himself that “David is primarily an Egyptologist, specializing in Egypt-Palestinian links that have inevitably drawn him into the field of Biblical studies. He has lectured at universities all over the world and written many papers on ancient history and linguistics.” There is no indication that he has an academic affiliation, or even any academic training. From this description, I believe that he does not have even a college degree, though he did go to an art academy… “ (I am truncating this before Todd waxed more eloquent on Elkington, but encourage you to read his blog if you want more..)

Third, absurd references now being carried about in press releases and pop discussion to the “sealed book” in Revelation is the worst kind of fallacious use of Bible text. Archaeology in the Biblical world is often quickly shrouded by gimmicks that demean their purpose – to illustrate a world long past. Attempts by some to indicate this discovery as “greater than the Dead Sea Scrolls” is utterly unwarranted at this point. The Dead Sea Scrolls included a vast collection of both Biblical manuscripts and other important writings, as well as some ordinary writings that help us “glimpse” into antiquity in a unique way. They have not been paralleled in this field, and there is little evidence to suggest this find could deliver on such astounding promises.

The good news is that there are scholars watching the story. Jim Davila has followed the story at Paleojudaica over the past few weeks, and Todd Bolen wrote about many of the problems with the finds but also said that, “Personally I am inclined to believe that this find is genuine.” It may be a promising find, but we need to be careful making any great conclusions.

For source materials and further research: