Could lead codices prove ‘the major discovery of Christian history’?

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Could lead codices prove ‘the major discovery of Christian history’?

By Chris Lehmann

British archaeologists are seeking to authenticate what could be a landmark discovery in the documentation of early Christianity: a trove of 70 lead codices that appear to date from the 1st century CE, which may include key clues to the last days of Jesus' life. As UK Daily Mail reporter Fiona Macrae writes, some researchers are suggesting this could be the most significant find in Christian archeology since the Dead Sea scrolls in 1947.

The codices turned up five years ago in a remote cave in eastern Jordan—a region where early Christian believers may have fled after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in 70 CE. The codices are made up of wirebound individual pages, each roughly the size of a credit card. They contain a number of images and textual allusions to the Messiah, as well as some possible references to the crucifixion and resurrection. Some of the codices were sealed, prompting yet more breathless speculation that they could include the sealed book, shown only to the Messiah, mentioned in the Book of Revelation. One of the few sentences translated thus far from the texts, according to the BBC, reads, "I shall walk uprightly"--a phrase that also appears in Revelation. "While it could be simply a sentiment common in Judaism," BBC writer Robert Pigott notes, "it could here be designed to refer to the resurrection."

But the field of biblical archaeology is also prey to plenty of hoaxes and enterprising fraudsters, so investigators are proceeding with due empirical caution. Initial metallurgical research indicates that the codices are about 2,000 years old--based on the manner of corrosion they have undergone, which, as Macrae writes, "experts believe would be impossible to achieve artificially."

Beyond the initial dating tests, however, little is confirmed about the codices or what they contain. And the saga of their discovery has already touched off a battle over ownership rights between Israel and Jordan. As the BBC's Pigott recounts, the cache surfaced when a Jordanian Bedouin saw a menorah—the Jewish religious candleabra—exposed in the wake of a flash flood. But the codices somehow passed into the ownership of an Israeli Bedouin named Hassam Saeda, who claims that they have been in his family's possession for the past 100 years. The Jordanian government has pledged to "exert all efforts at every level" to get the potentially priceless relics returned, Pigott reports.

Meanwhile, biblical scholars who have examined the codices point to significant textual evidence suggesting their early Christian origin. Philip Davies, emeritus professor of Old Testament Studies at Sheffield University, told Pigott he was "dumbstruck" at the sight of plates representing a picture map of ancient Jerusalem. "There is a cross in the foreground, and behind it is what has to be the tomb [of Jesus], a small building with an opening, and behind that the walls of the city," Davies explained. "There are walls depicted on other pages of these books, too, and they almost certainly refer to Jerusalem."

David Elkington, an ancient religion scholar who heads the British research team investigating the find, has likewise pronounced this nothing less than "the major discovery of Christian history." Elkington told the Daily Mail that "it is a breathtaking thought that we have held these objects that might have been held by the early saints of the Church."

Still, other students of early Christian history are urging caution, citing precedents such as the debunked discovery of an ossuary said to contain Jesus' bones. New Testament scholar Larry Hurtado observes that since these codices are miniature, they were likely intended for private, rather than liturgical, use. This would likely place their date of origin closer to the 3rd century CE. But only further research and full translation of the codices can fully confirm the nature of the find. The larger lesson here is likely that of Eccliastes 3:1—be patient, since "to everything there is a season."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110330/ts_yblog_thelookout/could-lead-codices-prove-the-major-discovery-of-christian-history

[TBoneTX 46,267]

This is fascinating information. There should be many more such posts like this in this forum.

I regret to report that, at this bleary hour, I initially misread one of the subject line words as "codpieces" and briefly wondered why someone would wear one that was made of lead, oof man.

[Darnell 8,479]

TBone - alas - I suffered too from the 'codpiece' whammy.

John - I'll be happy to read any news of this - the 'governing bodies' in existence at the time of the discovery of the dead sea scrolls AIN'T THE SAME groups as now, so any onus to 'keep it hidden' doesn't exist.

Maybe some smart printers can make soft wax molds, or do a 'one-off ink run' - that'd be cool to try..

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Still looking for the 12th Imam?

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Still looking for the 12th Imam?

No, why should I? This is about Christianity not Islam.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

No, why should I? This is about Christianity not Islam.

You haven't been watching Glenn Beck?

Edited March 31, 2011 by Some Old Guy

[JohnSmith2007 353]

That is a Christian link.

From last year. The Imam didn't show up. It still hasn't anything to do with this story though.

[^_^ 5,021]

From last year. The Imam didn't show up. It still hasn't anything to do with this story though.

What about the singularity?

[JohnSmith2007 353]

What about the singularity?

What singularity is that?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Sunni Imam: Reappearance of 12th Imam near at hand

ABNA.ir - Mar 8, 2011

CHABAHAR, Iran (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Sunni Friday prayer imam of Chabahar said here Monday Sunni folks believe in reappearance of Imam of the Time, like Shi’a folks, and his glorious reappearance is near at hand.

Mowlavi Abdorrahman Mollazehi made the comment speaking at the huge gathering of Shahwezhi Tribe and affiliated tribes in the presence of Sistan-o-Balouchestan region tribal heads.

He added, “With the reappearance and the victory of Imam Mahdi justice would be spread around the globe and oppression and injustice would be totally uprooted throughout the world.”

According to the IRNA correspondent in Zahedan, Mollazehi added, “The secret of victory of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic political system was unity and solidarity of the Iranian nation under the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini (P).”

The Sunni Friday Prayer leader of Chabahar pointed out that under the leadership of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution the enemies, particularly the United States are witnesses to the strengthened unity among the entire Iranians, adding, “The enemies, particularly the Americans and their allies, try their best to intrigue disputes and foment discord between the Sunni and Shi’a brethren throughout the Islamic world, but thanks to the awareness and the alertness of the leadership and the people they have thus far been unsuccessful in their efforts in Iran.”

Zahedan Governor General Latif Sadeqi, too, said at the huge gathering that many infrastructure development projects have been implemented in various fields in Sistan-o-Balouchestan Province thus far.

He added, “The enemies do not cease efforts aimed at deceiving the Shi’a and Sunni youth and fomenting crisis in the region, but fortunately such efforts have all been in vain thus far, and God willing, will also be so in the future.”

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=230172

What singularity is that?

The black hole in the center of the Earth.

[JohnSmith2007 353]

Sunni Imam: Reappearance of 12th Imam near at hand

ABNA.ir - Mar 8, 2011

CHABAHAR, Iran (Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Sunni Friday prayer imam of Chabahar said here Monday Sunni folks believe in reappearance of Imam of the Time, like Shi’a folks, and his glorious reappearance is near at hand.

Mowlavi Abdorrahman Mollazehi made the comment speaking at the huge gathering of Shahwezhi Tribe and affiliated tribes in the presence of Sistan-o-Balouchestan region tribal heads.

He added, “With the reappearance and the victory of Imam Mahdi justice would be spread around the globe and oppression and injustice would be totally uprooted throughout the world.”

According to the IRNA correspondent in Zahedan, Mollazehi added, “The secret of victory of the Islamic Revolution and the establishment of the Islamic Republic political system was unity and solidarity of the Iranian nation under the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini (P).”

The Sunni Friday Prayer leader of Chabahar pointed out that under the leadership of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution the enemies, particularly the United States are witnesses to the strengthened unity among the entire Iranians, adding, “The enemies, particularly the Americans and their allies, try their best to intrigue disputes and foment discord between the Sunni and Shi’a brethren throughout the Islamic world, but thanks to the awareness and the alertness of the leadership and the people they have thus far been unsuccessful in their efforts in Iran.”

Zahedan Governor General Latif Sadeqi, too, said at the huge gathering that many infrastructure development projects have been implemented in various fields in Sistan-o-Balouchestan Province thus far.

He added, “The enemies do not cease efforts aimed at deceiving the Shi’a and Sunni youth and fomenting crisis in the region, but fortunately such efforts have all been in vain thus far, and God willing, will also be so in the future.”

http://abna.ir/data.asp?lang=3&id=230172

Ah, I see they are predicting his return again this year. This falls into the catagory of "doomsday" predictions. Not worth the time to read it.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Ah, I see they are predicting his return again this year. This falls into the catagory of "doomsday" predictions. Not worth the time to read it.

Expectation is energy.

[Dan and Judy 614]

This is fascinating information. There should be many more such posts like this in this forum.

I regret to report that, at this bleary hour, I initially misread one of the subject line words as "codpieces" and briefly wondered why someone would wear one that was made of lead, oof man.

It was required if you were getting xrayed in the first couple of centuries

[ready4ONE 5,400]

No matter the medium, biblical stories are still just that, stories. It's old, and on lead codices, so not sure why the big deal beyond the cool factor of any ancient object.

[ready4ONE 5,400]

No matter the medium, biblical storie