Jesus’ Wife Fragment Turned to be FAKE
I wonder if all the media outlets that reported loudly and widely on the Jesus’ Wife fragment will take the time to report again now that the fragment has been proven to be fake. For the last two weeks, how much this so-called Jesus’ Wife fragment was talked about and what was said! Some people did not take a moment to consider the authenticity of this Sahidic Coptic fragment before accepting it as genuine. What was their final verdict? “Ah, the historical Jesus is a married man.” Then comes this news that this papyrus is a FAKE!
I am now fairly certain that the excitement surrounding this fake fragment is seeking attention. At the same time, some people may be wondering how to create a new fabricated story that contradicts the Christian belief, which has historically maintained that Jesus never married. From the beginning of this saga, most prominent scholars on Coptic had doubted its authenticity for some critical reasons. This is what Daniel B. Wallace and Dr. James White had to say on this issue.
“News flash: Harvard Theological Review has decided not to publish Karen King’s paper on the Coptic papyrus fragment on the grounds that the fragment is probably a fake.” This is from an email Dr. Craig Evans, the Payzant Distinguished Professor of New Testament at Acadia University and Divinity College, sent to me earlier today. He said that Helmut Koester (Harvard University), Bentley Layton (Yale University), Stephen Emmel (University of Münster), and Gesine Robinson (Claremont Graduate School)—all first-rate scholars in Coptic studies—have weighed in and have found the fragment wanting. No doubt Francis Watson’s comprehensive work showing the fragment’s dependence on the Gospel of Thomas was a contributing factor for this judgment, as well as the rather odd look of the Coptic that already raised several questions as to its authenticity.
Dr. James White, the Director of Alfa & Omega Ministries, writes, “Now, that doesn’t mean the saga is over for two reasons: 1) the fragment could be rehabilitated by the release of further relevant information concerning its provenance, and 2) the MSM (mainstream media) is far more interested in posting stuff that is against Christianity than corrections and retractions.”
Related articles
- Durham University professor calls the “Jesus had a wife” manuscript fragment a forgery (winteryknight.wordpress.com)
- Gospel of Jesus’s Wife is fake, claims expert (guardian.co.uk)
- Expert: “Wife of Jesus” fragment looks like a modern forgery… (patheos.com)
- Daniel B. Wallace responds to the “Jesus has a wife” media sensationalism (winteryknight.wordpress.com)
