An ancient manuscript up for sale gives a glimpse into the history of early Christianity

[Voltaire2]

An important piece of early Christian history, the Crosby-Schøyen Codex, is up for auction at Christie’s in London. This codex is a mid-fourth century book from Egypt containing a combination of biblical and other early Christian texts.

The Crosby-Schøyen Codex was discovered alongside more than 20 other codices near Dishna, Egypt, in 1952. These manuscripts are collectively known as “the Dishna Papers” or “the Bodmer Papyri,” after the Swiss collector Martin Bodmer.

Though often overshadowed by other 20th century discoveries, this trove of ancient manuscripts represents one of the most significant finds for understanding the history of early Christianity. As an expert on early Christian reading practices, I consider the Dishna Papers an invaluable witness to the formation of the Christian Bible. This ancient library shows how, before the consolidation of the Bible, early Christians read canonical and non-canonical scriptures – as well as pagan classics – side by side.

Link: https://theconversation.com/an-ancient-manuscript-up-for-sale-gives-a-glimpse-into-the-history-of-early-christianity-228679

By early christianity they mean the 300s, which is something that I suspect most christians don't really grasp. Also of course these artifacts were stolen by Europeans. We are the barbarians after all.

Anyway, its all nonsense but I find the history of nonsense, and certainly nonsense of such cult-ural power, fascinating.

[edhopper]

1. The material within is nonsense

or myth to be more precise. But historically, these early writings shed great light on the changes made to the Bible as the Church grew. And of course being written in Greek, they are more close to the earlier writings.

[cachukis]

2. Those with the ability to write, shared what they had

learned in their own understanding.
They reveal what the society, at the writing level, was thinking.
Heresay, continues.
It is effective.
We have to sift it through the netting of evidence.
Thankfully, we have dedicated sifters.