Was Jesus Christ a Magician?
Image: Franck Goddio/ Hilti Foundation, photos: Christoph Gerigk via Discovery News
(Astigan.com) — Archaeological research made in Egypt discovered a bowl that might re-write the early history of Christianity.
A team of French archaeologists researching the ancient harbor of Alexandria found a unique bowl dating to between the late 2nd century BC and the first century AD. The vessel bears an inscription engraved on its surface that reads by Christ the magician.
Scientists say that this may be the first known reference to Christ. However, other interpretations have also been proposed.
The bowl reads “Dia Chrstou O Goistais”, and the archaeologists proposed two interpretation of the text: “by Christ the magician” or “the magician by Christ”. If the text refers to the biblical Christ then this is the world’s first direct reference to Jesus Christ. The scientists point that the population of Alexandria may have heard of Christ’s wonder cures and other miracles.
However, archaeologists say that the Magi, magicians or wisemen, mentioned in the Book of Matthew, were common in the ancient world. Thus, one magus may have engraved the text on the bowl to empower his magical power by invoking the name of Christ.
The research to find out if the text really refers to the biblical Christ goes on, but the public can view the bowl as it is on display in the exhibit Egypt’s Sunken Treasures at the Matadero Cultural Center in Madrid, Spain until November 15.
| Do more:
Follow us on Twitter Subscribe via RSS |
No responses yet