'Jesus's Wife' Papyrus Controversy: Christian Leader Says Church Is the Bride of Jesus, Not Mary Magdalene

By Mark Aserit 14 Jul, 2016 09:36 EDT

Copy of "The Gospel of Jesus's Wife" papyrus Biblicalarchaeology.org

A tiny piece of papyrus that allegedly proves Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene created a stir in several Christian organizations. However, after a a thorough investigation, experts claim the papyrus called the "Gospel of Jesus' Wife" is fabricated.

In response to the issue, Answers in Genesis (AIG) CEO Ken Ham said Jesus' bride is the Church, and not a woman who lived on Earth (Ephesians 5:23-32). He also added many persecutors tried to prove that the Gospels contained inaccurate information of Jesus' life. But in the end, "the Bible was right all along," Ham posted on AIG's website.

Harvard Professor Karen L. King, holder of the oldest endowed academic chair in the country, presented a study of "The Gospel of Jesus's Wife" papyrus in 2012. King said she got the papyrus from a man named Walter Fritz from Florida. She explained Fritz emailed her in 2010, asking her to have a look at a papyrus that might prove Jesus was married.

After King had received the papyrus, she took it to a renowned papyrologist, Roger Bagnall, who thought it is an authentic fourth-century artifact. The piece of paper in question presents lines of words written in the Coptic language that makes reference to Jesus' marriage to a woman, possibly Mary Magdalene. The fragment contains the words "Jesus said to then, 'My wife..."

However, many scholars of Coptic language say there are many grammatical errors in the text. Also, a series of studies published in the journal New Testament Studies in July 2015 reveals the papyrus has been copied from an online translation of the Gospel of Thomas published in 2002.

Boston Globe reported all of the documents that Fritz gave to King are all forged. King's interview with the Atlantic last month marked the first time she had admitted that the fragment is probably fake.

Many Christian groups criticized King's findings on some occasions. Latest studies and evidence shows the papyrus is not authentic. Many also believe the document was just an attempt to destroy the foundations of the Church.

In times of persecution, Ken Ham says Christians should trust God's Word, which was right all along. He also quoted Romans 3:4: "Let God be true but every man a liar. We can always trust God's Word, from the very beginning,"

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

In order an effort to promote traditional Chinese culture, the Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong, in collaboration with Macao YMCA, Guangzhou Suigang'ao Teenagers Institute, and the Teacher Chang Foundation of Taiwan, has conducted a survey on teens measuring their cultural awareness. They found that Hong Kong youths generally identify with and support the values of traditional Chinese culture.
Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.
Yesterday, October 31, was Reformation Day, and Lutherans around the world held various events in commemoration. In Singapore, the Lutheran Church advocated for Christian communion, while the German Lutheran Church encouraged believers to face the challenge of “trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time.”
Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.
2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation
In the afternoon of Reformation Sunday, Oct. 27, some 2.1 million Christians gathered for a joint worship service from 2pm to 5pm in Seoul, Korea to “unite for repentance, revival, and restoration of holiness in our society.” According to organizers, an estimated 1.1 million joined onsite despite the bad weather with another 1 million joining online. The unprecedented joint worship service brought together Korean churches across denominations as they affirmed traditional marriage and family and
Willow Creek Community Church invites believers to write prayer cards for the next president
This past Sunday, Willow Creek Community Church based in Illinois invited believers to “pray for the next president” during the service. The church not only expressed its concern for the upcoming election but also emphasized the role believers should play in the process and the importance of offering prayers for the nation's leaders.

'Jesus's Wife' Papyrus Controversy: Christian Leader Says Church Is the Bride of Jesus, Not Mary Magdalene

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.

Survey: Hong Kong teens generally identify with traditional Chinese cultural values

Global Lutherans celebrate Reformation Day, ‘trusting in the power of grace in a merciless time’.

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues

2.1M Korean Christians estimated at joint worship service to affirm family, oppose gay marriage, pray for nation

Many American churchgoers expect their pastors’ sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues
American churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues.