Was Jesus a Magician?
Morton Smith was a well-known professor of Ancient History at Columbia University who made significant contributions to the field of biblical scholarship.
He is particularly known for his work on early Christianity and the study of ancient manuscripts, especially the discovery of the Secret Gospel of Mark, which was a controversial find in the academic community.
Smith also wrote several influential books, including “The Secret Gospel” and “Jesus the Magician”.
Magic and Miracles
Jesus the Magician explores the role of magic and miracles in the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. In the book, Smith argues that Jesus should be understood as a magician, rather than solely as a religious leader or moral teacher.
Smith draws on a wide range of ancient texts and sources, including the New Testament, the Talmud, and other writings from the ancient Near East, to support his argument.
He examines the various miraculous events in Jesus’ life, such as his healing of the sick and his ability to control the natural elements, and suggests that these actions can be best understood as magical acts.
Magic in the Ancient World
Smith also explores the cultural and historical context of magic in the ancient world, and shows how Jesus’ magical practices and teachings fit into this broader cultural milieu.
He argues that understanding Jesus as a magician can shed new light on his teachings and the social and political context in which he lived.
Morton Smith provides several examples of Jesus’ supposed magical abilities, including healings and control over the natural elements such as walking on water.
Healings
Regarding the healings, Smith argues that Jesus may have used a variety of techniques to create the impression of healing, such as hypnosis or suggestion, or by using natural remedies and medicines that were known to have healing properties at the time.
Scholars who have pushed back against Morton Smiths theory and who claim Jesus was a divine figure who carried out genuine miracles base their arguments on the following evidence:
- The testimony of eyewitnesses: The Gospels and other early Christian writings describe numerous instances of Jesus performing healings and other miracles, often in front of large crowds of people who were witnesses to the events. These accounts are considered by many to be reliable historical evidence of Jesus’ supernatural abilities.
- The consistency of the accounts: The accounts of Jesus’ miracles and healings are generally consistent across the various Gospel narratives, which were written by different authors at different times. This consistency is seen as evidence of the historicity of the events.
- The transformative effects of Jesus’ healings: Many of the people who were healed by Jesus are described as being profoundly affected by the experience, both physically and emotionally. This is seen as evidence that the healings were genuine and had a real impact on people’s lives.
- The broader context of Jesus’ teachings: Jesus’ miracles and healings were often accompanied by teachings about the Kingdom of God and the importance of faith and love. This broader context is seen as evidence that Jesus was not simply a magician performing tricks, but a spiritual leader with a message that went beyond the supernatural.
The historicity and interpretation of Jesus’ miraculous abilities continue to be a topic of debate and discussion in academic circles.