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The Reading Culture of Early Christianity

**EDWARD D. ANDREWS** (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 200+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

Introduction: The Discovery of the Rylands Library Papyrus P52

The Rylands Library Papyrus P52, also known as the St John’s fragment, is a small piece of papyrus that contains a portion of the Gospel of John in Greek. The fragment is one of the earliest surviving manuscripts of the New Testament, and its discovery has provided valuable insights into the early Christian period.

Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 was discovered in Egypt in the late 19th century by a British archaeologist, Bernard Grenfell. It was part of a collection of papyri that was purchased by the Rylands Library in Manchester, England, in 1901. The fragment is just 3.5 inches (ca. 9 cm) by 2.5 inches (6.35 cm) in size and contains only a few lines of text, but it has generated a great deal of interest among scholars and religious historians.

This chapter will explore the discovery and significance of Papyrus Rylands Greek 457, and examine what this ancient manuscript can tell us about the early Christian period. We will also consider the challenges and controversies surrounding the interpretation of the text, and the importance of preserving and studying ancient documents like P52.

Historical Context: Understanding the Time and Place of P52’s Origin

To understand the historical context of the Rylands Library Papyrus P52, it is important to consider the time and place of its origin. Based on paleographical and textual analysis, scholars generally date the fragment to the early 2nd century CE, around 125-175 CE.

At this time, the Roman Empire was in control of much of the Mediterranean world, including Egypt, where Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 was discovered. Christianity was still a minority religion but was growing rapidly in some areas and had already begun to diverge from other Jewish sects.

Scholars believe that the Gospel of John, from which P52 comes, was written in about 98 CE in Ephesus, which was a major city in the Roman province of Asia (modern-day Turkey). The Gospel of John is distinct from the other three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) and is considered by many to be a theological reflection on the life and teachings of Jesus rather than a historical account.

The text on Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 comes from John 18:31-33, which recounts the trial of Jesus before Pilate. This portion of the Gospel of John has been the subject of much scholarly debate, as it differs in some ways from the accounts in the other gospels.

Overall, the historical context of the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 provides important insights into the early Christian period, including the growth and diversity of early Christian communities, the relationship between Judaism and Christianity, and the development of Christian theology.

Physical Description: Examining the Material and Structure of Papyrus Rylands Greek 457

The Rylands Library Papyrus P52 is a fragment of papyrus that measures approximately 3.5 inches (ca. 9 cm) by 2.5 inches (6.35 cm). The fragment contains writing on both sides, with the text of the Gospel of John on the front and back.

The papyrus itself is made from the stems of the Cyperus papyrus plant, which was widely used for writing material in the ancient world. Papyrus was a common writing material in Egypt and other parts of the Mediterranean world from around 3000 BCE until the 8th century CE when it was largely replaced by parchment and paper.

The text on Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is written in Greek using black ink, and the script is a type of cursive handwriting known as “documentary hand”. This type of handwriting was used for everyday writing, such as letters, receipts, and legal documents. It is different from the more formal handwriting used for literary texts, such as the Bible.

The fragment is part of a larger sheet of papyrus that would have contained multiple columns of text. The surviving portion of P52 contains a few lines of text from John 18:31-33 on the front and back, with each line containing about 10-14 letters. The fragment is damaged on both sides, with some letters and words missing or illegible.

Despite its small size and damaged condition, Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 has been the subject of extensive study and analysis by scholars, who have used advanced imaging techniques and other methods to extract as much information as possible from the fragment. Overall, the physical characteristics of the fragment provide important clues to its origin and historical context, as well as insights into the technology and methods of ancient writing.

Content Analysis: What Does the Text on P52 Reveal?

The text on Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 contains a few lines from John 18:31-33, which recount the trial of Jesus before Pilate. Specifically, the fragment contains the Greek words “oυk εξεστιν ημιν αποκτειναι ουδενα” (translated as “it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death”) and “ινα ο λογος του Ιησου πληρωθη” (translated as “that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled”).

This portion of the Gospel of John has been the subject of much scholarly debate, as it differs from the accounts of Jesus’ trial in the other gospels. In particular, the phrase “it is not lawful for us to put anyone to death” has been interpreted in various ways, with some scholars arguing that it reflects a historical detail about the Roman occupation of Judea, while others suggest that it may be a theological or literary device.

Despite its brevity, the text on Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 provides important insights into the early Christian period, including the diversity of early Christian communities and the development of Christian theology. For example, the use of the term “the word of Jesus” (ο λογος του Ιησου) suggests that the author of the Gospel of John may have been influenced by Greek philosophical concepts of the “logos” (word or reason), and that the text was intended to appeal to both Jewish and Gentile audiences.

In addition, the fact that Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is one of the earliest surviving manuscripts of the New Testament has significant implications for the study of early Christianity and the history of the Bible. Scholars can use the fragment to compare and contrast different versions of the Gospel of John and to track changes and variations in the text over time. Overall, the content of P52 provides a valuable window into the beliefs and practices of early Christian communities and the development of Christian theology and scripture.

Significance: The Implications of P52 for Early Christianity and the Study of Biblical Texts

The Rylands Library Papyrus P52 is significant for several reasons, both in terms of its impact on the study of early Christianity and the history of the Bible.

Firstly, Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is one of the earliest surviving manuscripts of the New Testament, with a generally accepted date of around 110-150 CE. This makes it a valuable source of information about the development of Christian scripture and the beliefs and practices of early Christian communities. The text on the fragment provides insights into the theological and literary strategies used by the author of the Gospel of John and the ways in which early Christians interpreted and understood the life and teachings of Jesus.

Secondly, the discovery of Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 has had a significant impact on the study of early Christian texts and the history of the Bible. The fragment provides an important benchmark for dating and comparing other manuscripts of the Gospel of John and has been used by scholars to track the evolution of the text over time. The discovery of P52 also challenged prevailing assumptions about the early transmission of Christian texts and helped to dispel the notion that early Christian texts were largely oral in nature.

Finally, Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is significant for what it reveals about the diversity and complexity of early Christian communities. The differences between the text on P52 and the other gospels suggest that there was significant variation in the way that early Christians understood and interpreted the life and teachings of Jesus. The fragment also demonstrates the influence of Greek philosophical and literary traditions on the development of Christian theology and scripture.

Overall, the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 has had a profound impact on our understanding of early Christianity and continues to be a valuable source of information for scholars and researchers in the field of biblical studies.

Challenges and Controversies: Debates and Questions Surrounding Papyrus Rylands Greek 457

Despite its significance, the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 has been the subject of some debates and controversies among scholars and researchers in the field of biblical studies. Some of the main challenges and controversies surrounding Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 include:

Dating and authenticity: While most scholars agree that Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is an early manuscript of the Gospel of John, there is some debate about its exact date and place of origin. Some scholars have questioned the authenticity of the fragment, and have suggested that it may be a modern forgery. However, most scholars reject this theory, and there is broad consensus that the fragment is genuine.
Interpretation and translation: The text on Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is brief and fragmentary, and there is some debate about how to interpret and translate the Greek words. Some scholars have suggested alternative translations or interpretations of the text, which can lead to different conclusions about the meaning and significance of the fragment.
Historical context: While the historical context of Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is generally well understood, there are some questions and debates about the social and political circumstances of the early Christian period. Some scholars have suggested that the differences between the text on P52 and the other gospels reflect a specific social or political context, while others argue that they are primarily theological in nature.
Preservation and access: As with many ancient documents, the preservation and access to Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 is a significant challenge. The fragment is fragile and delicate, and there is a risk that it could be damaged or destroyed if not properly cared for. There are also questions about who should have access to the fragment, and how it should be studied and analyzed.

Despite these challenges and controversies, the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 remains a valuable and significant document in the history of Christianity and the study of biblical texts. The debates and questions surrounding the fragment are a testament to the ongoing importance and relevance of this ancient document.

World-Renowned Paleographers and Textual Scholars Date P52 Early

100-150 C. H. Roberts
100-150 Sir Frederic G. Kenyon
100-150 W. Schubart
100-150 Sir Harold I. Bell
100-150 Adolf Deissmann
100-150 E. G. Turner (cautiously)
100-150 Ulrich Wilken
100-150 W. H. P. Hatch
100-125: Philip W. Comfort
100-150 Bruce M. Metzger
125-175 Kurt and Barbara Aland
125-175 Pasquale Orsini
125-175 Willy Clarysse
170 C.E. Andreas Schmidt
100-200 Daniel B. Wallace

Other More Recent Textual Scholars Date P52

100-225 Brent Nongbri
81–292 Don Barker
200-300 Michael Gronewald

In New Testament textual studies, there are but two ways to make a name for oneself as a textual scholar. (1) The person would have to make a discovery that overwhelms the scholarly world to the extreme. (2) The person has to take a view or a position on something and then go out and find evidence that changes that view or position. Brent Nongbri seems to be trying (2) in his efforts to have his place within the history of New Testament Textual Studies. In 2120, scholars can look back at who changed the dates of the early papyri.

Preservation and Future Research: The Importance of Protecting and Studying Ancient Texts like P52

The preservation and study of ancient texts like the Rylands Library Papyrus P52 is of utmost importance for a number of reasons.

Firstly, these texts provide important insights into the history and culture of the societies that produced them. They offer a window into the beliefs, practices, and values of ancient peoples, and provide valuable context for understanding the development of human thought and culture.

Secondly, ancient texts like Papyrus Rylands Greek 457 are important for the study of religion, philosophy, and literature. They can shed light on the development of religious and philosophical ideas and can help to trace the evolution of literary genres and forms.

However, the preservation of ancient texts is a complex and challenging task. These documents are often fragile and delicate and can be easily damaged or destroyed if not properly cared for. In addition, there are ethical and legal questions surrounding the ownership and access to these texts, which can complicate efforts to study and analyze them.

Despite these challenges, there are many organizations and institutions that are working to preserve and study ancient texts like Papyrus Rylands Greek 457. These efforts include the use of advanced imaging technologies to digitize and analyze these documents, as well as the establishment of legal and ethical frameworks to ensure their proper care and stewardship.

Moving forward, it is important that we continue to prioritize the preservation and study of ancient texts like P52 and that we work to develop new and innovative methods for studying and analyzing these valuable documents. Only by doing so can we fully appreciate the richness and complexity of human history and gain a deeper understanding of the world in which we live.