# New Insights from Ancient Bible Fragments Challenge Tradition
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Chapter 1: Unearthing the Past
A recent revelation regarding a Bible fragment has sent shockwaves through the Christian community. The intriguing story of ‘P.Oxy. 87.5575’ dates back to 1896 when British archaeologists excavated a site in Oxyrhynchus, Egypt, uncovering waste from the 3rd to the 7th centuries. Among the discarded items were biblical manuscripts discarded by local Christians. The archaeological efforts led to the collection of thousands of boxes of ancient refuse, now referred to as the ‘Oxyrhynchus Papyri.’ Just two weeks ago, a fragment was released that was deemed ‘biblical,’ yet it appeared to diverge from traditional Christian narratives. Scholars are currently debating its implications, filled with both confusion and intrigue.
The Journey of P.Oxy. 87.5575
Biblical discoveries are rarely straightforward; they often trigger lengthy sagas filled with complexity and oddities. The emergence of ‘P.Oxy. 87.5575’ seems almost miraculous. It remained in storage at Oxford University for a century before being examined by an American scholar, Dirk Obbink, known for his expertise in reviving ancient texts. However, instead of dedicating himself to research, Obbink chose to sell these artifacts.
At that time, a new museum was being established in Washington D.C., funded by the Evangelicals who operate the Hobby Lobby craft store chain. They sought to acquire artifacts that would narrate the Christian story, which presented a challenge given that Christianity had discarded much of its ancient documentation. Obbink, leveraging his access to the Oxyrhynchus materials, claimed to authenticate fragments purportedly from copies of the canonical New Testament gospels, allegedly dating back to the 1st century.
The museum invested $7 million in these pieces, perceiving it as a rare opportunity to provide Christians with evidence of ancient copies of canonical texts. This was particularly significant for a faith that lacked early manuscripts of its sacred writings. Between 2010 and 2013, Obbink sold 32 fragments to the museum, but by 2019, it became apparent that an additional 81 fragments had been sold to undisclosed buyers. When one museum employee, Jerry Pattengale, presented P.Oxy. 87.5575 during a speech in Oklahoma City in 2011, he hailed it as the earliest known fragment of the Gospel of Matthew, dating back to around 140 to 160 A.D. He claimed it was a miraculous discovery, containing Matthew 6:25–27.
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However, the fragment did not substantiate the ‘canonical’ text as Pattengale suggested, and it was later revealed that the Museum of the Bible was in a precarious position. The historical evidence they had was not entirely aligned with traditional Christian teachings.
The Fragments and Their Fate
The museum ultimately returned the 32 fragments, resulting in a $7 million loss. They pursued legal action against Obbink, who seemed to have vanished. After more than a century, P.Oxy. 87.5575 was finally published. The text revealed connections to the gospels of Matthew, Luke, and Thomas, introducing additional words and phrases. Scholar Brent Nongbri remarked on the implications of these findings, noting that if the dating is accurate, the fragment could predate nearly all known copies of New Testament texts.
The inclusion of material from the gospel of Thomas presented a challenge, as this text had been largely ignored by early Christianity and dismissed as non-canonical. It resurfaced in the mid-1940s and contained mystical sayings attributed to Jesus. The new fragment suggests that early Christian texts might have been more diverse than previously acknowledged, with the gospel of Thomas being viewed as equally important as Matthew and Luke.
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The small fragment raises numerous questions about its relationship with existing gospels. Scholars are grappling with whether this ‘new’ text influenced the gospels or served as a source for them. The ongoing inquiries into this fragment hint that material from the gospel of Thomas may have been composed much earlier than traditionally believed.
The evolving narrative suggests that the Christian story might encompass elements that challenge the established norms of Christianity. As commenter Steve Senatori aptly noted, the reconstruction of early Christianity's true nature may one day come to light, revealing lost aspects of its history.
Chapter 2: Other Discoveries Reshaping Christian Narratives
The exploration of ancient manuscripts continues to unearth texts that offer new insights into early Christianity, leading to an ongoing reevaluation of its origins and beliefs.