Chapter 7

News from Egypt

Friday, 12:30 p.m.

It’s busy and noisy; packed. We went through the line and David paid for two coffees, two bagels. Now I’m sure this is about asking me to teach for him; he only pays when he wants something. I ordered a chef’s salad and glass of water.

We found a table for two. The music is loud, I think it’s hip hop, not quite as hard on my ears as heavy metal. A boisterous group of athletes fill one corner; and behind David several education faculty members are in deep discussion. We’re lucky though, we can hear each other without shouting.
“John, have you heard there's been a new discovery of codices in Egypt, somewhere south of Alexandria?” David looked at me like he does a student; as if I better pay attention because this is major. Ah well, he’s been teaching so long, it’s just the way he is.

“Tell me about it.” I wondered if he knew about Alexi’s find or maybe there had been others. If David knew about her discovery, I’d like to know his source.

“Ancient writings were recently found in a cave, and if their quality is anything like the Nag Hammadi discovery it could be significant.” David almost smirked. Never mind that, I’m hoping I might learn something new. This is definitely interesting.

“So far all we know is it includes a mix of codices and scrolls; and this collection was still in sealed jars. They were found by an archaeologist and taken to preservation experts in Alexandria.”

“How long do you think it’ll be before these documents are processed and translated?” I hoped it wouldn’t take decades as the Nag Hammadi find had. Like other professions, some scholars have their own agendas, selfish interests and jealousies. And some translations of ancient writings aren’t shared because they disagree with current beliefs about the history of Christianity.

"I understand translation teams are being formed. I hope mistakes of the past will not be repeated."

“Already?” I was impressed. Could it be that rather like librarians have had to take on new ways of thinking in this digital age, Christians may soon be presented with old beliefs or ideas about religion that are different? Suddenly my mood lifted. Of course, new knowledge about early Christianity will someday show up in the journals and lead to much study and discussion. I’d been too distracted by my own work to think about all that will come after such a find.

“Translation teams?” I wondered how that would work.

“My information is that a wealthy fellow in Lexington, Kentucky, with an interest in the history and development of those southern monasteries, wants to fund the translation of everything. His proposal hasn’t been approved yet by the Egyptian authorities.” David smiled like the Cheshire Cat.

I allowed myself an inward smile; the digital folks would probably label this find ‘Scrolls 2.0.’ I don’t mind David’s propensity to play I-know-it-first. He would be let down if I told him I already knew of the discovery; and anyway I knew nothing of the plans for translation. Besides it’s good for him to feel superior once in a while. He’s close to retirement, and this sort of thing encourages him to keep working.

“A wealthy backer?” I was glad to hear that. “Maybe that will neutralize some of the politics, religious and otherwise, that delayed the translation of Nag Hammadi.” I wondered how teams of translators would be put together.

“Indeed, I believe it will. There’s talk this patron wants the project completed soon, maybe within a year. And he wants the translations published right after.” I could tell David was enthusiastic about the whole process.

“Wouldn’t that be awfully fast and a lot of pressure?”

“Yes, I agree that it would; but I understand several teams selected from around the world will submit their translations to a special coordination and oversight team for reconciliation of any differences.”

“I’m impressed with this plan, David. It’ll cost a bundle, but the process makes sense if a precise translation is to be the end result.”

“That, John, is the desired outcome, a precise translation.”

We both smiled as we pushed back our chairs and rose to leave.

"Oh, and John, might you be inclined to teach the Early Christianity class next semester?"

 NEXT.....Chapter 8
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