What Makes Scholars What Makes Scholars Question the Background Question the Background

of a Text?of a Text?

A Popular Story about NapoleonA Popular Story about Napoleon

Once, while visiting a province Napoleon came upon an old soldier in full uniform but with one sleeve hanging empty. He proudly wore the coveted Legion of Honor. Napoleon asked, “Where did you lose your arm?” The soldier answered, “At Austerlitz, sire.” Napoleon asked, “And for that you received the Legion of Honor?” The man said, “Yes, sire. It is but a small token to pay for the decoration.” Napoleon continued, “You must be the kind of man who regrets he did not lose both arms for his country.” The one-armed man asked, “What then would have been my reward?” Napoleon answered, “I would have awarded you a double Legion of Honor.” And with that, the proud old fighter drew his sword and immediately cut off his other arm.

Questioning the StoryQuestioning the Story

Did this story really Did this story really happen?happen?

Would anyone like to Would anyone like to demonstrate what the demonstrate what the soldier did?soldier did?

What about the picture on What about the picture on the left? Is it accurate?the left? Is it accurate?

What if you found a story What if you found a story like this in the Bible?like this in the Bible?

Stories of Jesus’ Childhood from One of the GospelsStories of Jesus’ Childhood from One of the Gospels

When the boy Jesus was five years old, he was playing in a narrow part of a rushing stream. He was gathering the flowing waters into ponds, and immediately they were made clean, and he ordered these things with a single word. And after he made clay, he molded twelve sparrows from it. … And Joseph went to the area and when he saw him, he shouted, “Why are you doing these things that are not permitted on the Sabbath?” Jesus, however, clapped his hands and shouted to the sparrows, “Depart, fly, and remember me now that you are alive.” And the sparrows departed shrieking.

(Continued)

The son of Annas the scribe was standing there with Jesus. Taking a branch from a willow tree, he dispersed the waters which Jesus had gathered. When Jesus saw what had happened, he became angry and said to him, “You godless, brainless moron, what did the ponds and waters do to you? Watch this now: you are going to dry up like a tree and you will never produce leaves or roots or fruit.” And immediately, this child withered up completely. …

Next, he was going through the village again and a running child bumped his shoulder. Becoming bitter, Jesus said to him, “You will not complete your journey.” Immediately, he fell down and died. …

(Continued)

These stories are from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.These stories are from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas.

That Gospel is not in today’s Bible.That Gospel is not in today’s Bible.

Are you relieved about that?Are you relieved about that?

What elements in these stories might lead you to question whether What elements in these stories might lead you to question whether they are historically accurate?they are historically accurate?

[Jesus’ teacher Zacchaeus said,] “I am going out of my mind. … I struggled to have a student and I have found that I have a teacher. … Whether I should call him a god or an angel or something else, I do not know.” While the Jews were advising Zacchaeus, the child had a great laugh and said, “Now, the fruitless bear fruit and the blind see and the deaf in the understanding of the heart hear. I am here from above that I may rescue those below and call them to higher things, just as the one who sent me to you commanded me.” And when the child completed his speech, those who were under his curse were immediately saved, but from then on, nobody dared to make him angry because they did not want to be cursed or crippled.

Here’s a story that has all sorts of oddities if Here’s a story that has all sorts of oddities if you read it as one story from beginning toyou read it as one story from beginning to end. end.

Making a SandwichMaking a Sandwich

The Chaplain took six minutes to make a sandwich.The Chaplain took six minutes to make a sandwich.First he put a plate on the counter.First he put a plate on the counter.Then he put two slices of bread on the plate.Then he put two slices of bread on the plate.Then the Chaplain put mustard and mayonnaise on the bread.Then the Chaplain put mustard and mayonnaise on the bread.Then he added lettuce.Then he added lettuce.Then he added cheese.Then he added cheese.Finally, the Chaplain added the meat—ham and turkey.Finally, the Chaplain added the meat—ham and turkey.The Chaplain declared it a masterpiece and took a nap.The Chaplain declared it a masterpiece and took a nap.And that’s how it happened.And that’s how it happened.Charlie Chaplain took a minute to make a sandwich.Charlie Chaplain took a minute to make a sandwich.First he put a slice of meat on the plate.First he put a slice of meat on the plate.Then he put lettuce on two slices of bread and put the meat Then he put lettuce on two slices of bread and put the meat between them and set the sandwich on the plate.between them and set the sandwich on the plate.Then Charlie Chaplain realized it needed something else, so he Then Charlie Chaplain realized it needed something else, so he added cheese.added cheese.Then he realized the cheese wasn’t enough, so Charlie Chaplain Then he realized the cheese wasn’t enough, so Charlie Chaplain added another slice of meat—turkey (the first slice turned out to be added another slice of meat—turkey (the first slice turned out to be ham).ham).And then all sorts of calamities followed. And then all sorts of calamities followed.

What oddities do What oddities do you see?you see?

What if we tried What if we tried splitting the story splitting the story into two stories, into two stories, like this? (next like this? (next slide)slide)

Making a SandwichMaking a Sandwich

The Chaplain took six minutes to The Chaplain took six minutes to make a sandwich.make a sandwich.First he put a plate on the counter.First he put a plate on the counter.Then he put two slices of bread on Then he put two slices of bread on the plate.the plate.Then the Chaplain put mustard Then the Chaplain put mustard and mayonnaise on the bread.and mayonnaise on the bread.Then he added lettuce.Then he added lettuce.Then he added cheese.Then he added cheese.Finally, the Chaplain added the Finally, the Chaplain added the meat—ham and turkey.meat—ham and turkey.The Chaplain declared it a The Chaplain declared it a masterpiece and took a nap.masterpiece and took a nap.And that’s how it happened.And that’s how it happened.

Charlie Chaplain took a minute to Charlie Chaplain took a minute to make a sandwich.make a sandwich.First he put a slice of meat on the First he put a slice of meat on the plate.plate.Then he put lettuce on two slices Then he put lettuce on two slices of bread and put the meat of bread and put the meat between them and set the between them and set the sandwich on the plate.sandwich on the plate.Then Charlie Chaplain realized it Then Charlie Chaplain realized it needed something else, so he needed something else, so he added cheese.added cheese.Then he realized the cheese Then he realized the cheese wasn’t enough, so Charlie wasn’t enough, so Charlie Chaplain added another slice of Chaplain added another slice of meat—turkey (the first slice turned meat—turkey (the first slice turned out to be ham).out to be ham).And then all sorts of calamities And then all sorts of calamities followed.followed.

Is there any compelling Is there any compelling reason why we shouldreason why we should

notnot

try splitting this story into two try splitting this story into two stories?stories?

A Similar Story (or Stories?)A Similar Story (or Stories?)

Genesis 1Genesis 1ElohimElohimSix daysSix daysHeavens and earth (heaven Heavens and earth (heaven focused)focused)Creates by speakingCreates by speakingFollows a blueprintFollows a blueprintPlantsPlantsAnimalsAnimalsHumans: male/femaleHumans: male/female

Genesis 2Genesis 2YHWH ElohimYHWH ElohimOne dayOne dayEarth and heavens (earth Earth and heavens (earth focused)focused)Works with hands, breathWorks with hands, breathImprovisesImprovisesHuman (adham=“earthling”?)Human (adham=“earthling”?)PlantsPlantsAnimals (possible spouses!)Animals (possible spouses!)Splits human into male/femaleSplits human into male/female