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“The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins” by Larry W.

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Introduction

The book “The Earliest Christian Artifacts Manuscripts and Christian Origins" by Larry

W. Hurtado is one of the pieces of Christian literature of the 21

Century that gives the account

of how religion began. The evidence in this document is based on the events of the second and

third centuries. One of the factors that have been paid special attention is the inscription found on

the codex. Secondly, the various links that exist between Judaism and Christianity have been

discussed.

Review

The book targets the readers studying the second covenant of the Bible. The New

Testament has been portrayed by Mr. Hurtado as an independent historical object. The writer's

observations, in general, may be viewed as mere allegations that have no significant impact on

the belief of the concerned individuals. However, for the learners that have been taught to respect

the texts as the witnesses, it sounds like a revolution in itself. In the introduction, the author

states that the manuscripts explain particular historical relics

. Apart from being the witnesses to

the Christian writings, they have essential physical and visual elements. Each document has a

story to tell about the individual who wrote it. Upon collection of the entire book, it becomes

clear that there are some sections that have never been revealed to the first congregation. Thus,

through Hurtado’s work, it becomes possible to discover the hidden parts of the early Christian

life.

In the first chapter, the author informs his readers about the literature found in the 2

and

centuries. Among the manuscripts of that era are the Old Covenant and the Second

Testament. Also, the apocryphal texts form part of the artifacts analyzed by Hurtado. Even

Hurtado Larry W.The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins ( Grand Rapids: Wm. B.

Eerdmans Publishing, 2006), 29

though most realities of that period are outdated, in Christianity, the era remains strong because

it provides the most accurate foundation and developmental concepts of religion. Besides,

several manuscripts were recorded in that timeline and have been a reasonable basis for the

continued strengthening of the Christian life.

Considering the given sections of the artifacts, the Old Testament arises as a source of

significant interest. From that aspect, some questions may arise about the association of the

Jewish and Christians in regard to their belief in God. Accordingly, the way of tearing apart the

closely related religions has been supported by some arguments. Hurtado has raised different

debates with his interlocutors, stating the differences that occur in the development of

Christianity and the Jewish religion. In his explanation, the author states that the few books that

show no evidence of belonging to the Christian or Jewish literature should not be used so as not

to create confusion among the people and should be considered irrelevant as far as religious

doctrines are concerned. Particularly, the author insists that the evidence displayed based on the

other pieces of literature is can properly provide solid differences between the two religions

without the need to evaluate those documents that contain no evidence and are only meant to

create bewilderment among believers.

The second chapter of the book addresses The Early Christian Preference for the Codex

The writer used another recording titled Leuven Database of Ancient Books. From the charts that

were provided in the books, it was affirmed that the Christian religion owned a good preference

to represent the codex. The rationale for this supposition is that despite the existing evidence,

there are several types of literary works that are still being written to create controversy within

religion. Throughout the major part of chapter two, the author explains the possible beginning

and factors that might have led to the initiation of the preference.

Ibid., 37

Trying to find the developmental structure of the codex, Hurtado takes a closer look at

the preference in the third chapter. As it has been referred to as the nomina sacra, the codex is

believed to have had its origin in the Jewish practices. That argument has been opposed by the

writer. Hurtado justifies his position by arguing that the setting of the codex had the features of

the Greek traditions, but the data has no ability to allow the Jewish community to have had the

origin of the Christian use of the nomina sacra. Among the evidence found concerning the Greek

influence, there is no use of initials such as NS that have been depicted on the codex before the

establishment of the Christian teachings. By carefully assessing the inscription pictured on the

parchment, the writer holds the position that the creators of the text talk about Jesus.

Furthermore, Hurtado addresses the idea of ‘life’ and ties it to the scroll, illustrating Jesus as the

founder of religion and the unsurpassed subject of early Christianity.

The importance of the codex also forms part of the content presented by Hurtado. He

argues that the nomina sacra provides the indication of the binitarian form of the first Christian

devotion. Given the importance of the scrolls, one has to understand the textual and visual

presentations in a more precise manner. In discussion with C. Tuckett’s thesis, it comes clear that

the codex was for individuals who were unable to read any formal writing of the early times.

From reading the scrolls, the individual would fluently read and comprehend it. However,

Hurtado adds that the Christian scribes played a more important role than just acquainting the

individual with the lea

. Basing on this fact, Hurtado dismisses the argument raised by Tuckett as

being too ambiguous.

In the fourth chapter, Hurtado discusses the cross that was used to crucify Jesus in the

Greek systematic presentation. Through the keen study of the late superimposition, X-P gives the

sense of the ‘christograms', while the ‘staurograms’ was indicated by T-P. Tying the findings

rn Ibid., 40

back to the main topic of the book, Hurtado argues that the texts should be understood beyond

their contextual meaning. He concludes by stating that the presentation was the earliest

establishment of Jesus’ crucifixion.

In the final chapter, Hurtado provides insight into the additional scribal aspects of the

first Christian manuscripts. Ranging from the size and numbers of columns on margins, some

structural aspects were observed by Hurtado. Such features provide careful readers with

information concerning the individual or community that took part in the preparation of the

writing. The scroll also incorporates such clues as marks and proper punctuations, which play a

role in identifying the document. Some texts were divided into units based on sense, giving an

impression about the interpretive procedures that were meant for the non-natives of the Greek-

speaking nations.

Ultimately, Hurtado analyzes the corrections that had been made in the early

documentation of Christian literature. According to the author, such alterations create the basis

for the idea that the scribes were reproducing the writings. Therefore, the revisions would

indicate that the process was more concerned with the accuracy of the document rather than the

relevance of the presentation. Through this argument, Hurtado dismisses all the controversial

claims that have been arising over the corrections. He adds two appendices, one giving the list of

manuscripts with the Christian literature texts, and the other illustrating the photographic plates

that the documents discussed in the book contain. Furthermore, the technical terms are specified.

Conclusion

The focus of this review was to analyze the writing of the codex and the existing

evidence regarding Christian and Jewish religions. Notably, the book provides explicit

elaboration of the aspects that have raised concerns within Christianity. The distinction between

Jewish religion and Christianity is well presented. Furthermore, the significance of the founder

of Christianity has been accentuated. Many of the controversies that have been erupting in the

recent past are cleared in the text. However, the author advises the readers to ignore writings that

are not supported by any evidence of relation to the one of the two religions since they are only

meant to create confusion. In this regard, the book is useful to the individuals who wish to

analyze the New Testament. Mainly, it contains the basic information.

Bibliography

Hurtado, Larry W. The Earliest Christian Artifacts: Manuscripts and Christian Origins. Grand

Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2006.

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