This is shocking.
A significant archaeological find has emerged from a university library in Germany: a fragment of ancient papyrus from Egypt bearing the Greek inscription “Jesus.” This discovery is believed to be the oldest surviving copy of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, an apocryphal text that delves into the childhood of Jesus Christ and is considered to have gnostic origins. Researchers from Humboldt University of Berlin and the University of Liège in Belgium have dated this fragment to the 4th to 5th century, making it significantly earlier than previously known copies, which date back only to the 11th century.
The Infancy Gospel of Thomas, distinct from the canonical gospels of the New Testament, is believed to have been composed around the second century. It contains narratives about Jesus’ childhood miracles and deeds, often portraying him in a manner that diverges from the depiction found in the Bible’s four canonical gospels. These stories include accounts of Jesus using his divine powers to perform miracles such as animating clay birds and resurrecting the dead, actions that are controversial within orthodox Christian theology.
The fragment itself measures 11 by 5 centimeters and contains just 13 lines of text in Greek script. Scholars suggest that its discovery sheds new light on the transmission and early circulation of the Infancy Gospel of Thomas, reinforcing the belief that the text was originally written in Greek.
Despite its historical significance, the Infancy Gospel of Thomas is not included in the Christian Bible due to concerns over its theological content and the uncertainty surrounding its authorship. Scholars have debated its origins and significance within early Christian communities, with many considering it a reflection of gnostic beliefs that were deemed heterodox by mainstream Christianity.
This discovery underscores ongoing scholarly interest in early Christian texts outside the canonical scriptures, providing insights into the diversity of beliefs and narratives about Jesus Christ that circulated in the ancient world.