Carsten Peter Thiede

Carsten Peter Thiede was a German archaeologist and scholar of the New Testament who held academic positions in Basel and Israel. He was known for proposing theories that often diverged from the established academic and theological consensus. Thiede's background in linguistics and medieval Latin philology informed his extensive work on the origins of Christianity. He also had a career in broadcasting and publishing before dedicating himself to his scholarly pursuits.

His most notable contributions include his interpretation of Dead Sea Scrolls fragments, particularly identifying the 7Q5 papyrus as a piece of the Gospel of Mark, and his redating of the Magdalen papyrus to the late 1st century. These claims, along with his arguments in "The Quest for the True Cross," generated significant public interest and academic discussion, sometimes leading to accusations of popularizing scholarship. Thiede was also an ordained Anglican priest and worked with the Israel Antiquities Authority on Dead Sea Scrolls preservation and excavations.

Carsten Peter Thiede gained prominence for his interpretations of early Christian texts and artifacts, which frequently challenged prevailing scholarly views. He was particularly known for his work on the Dead Sea Scrolls, proposing that certain fragments from Qumran Cave 7, such as the 7Q5 papyrus, were indeed early Christian New Testament texts dating before 70 CE. This assertion, alongside his collaboration with Matthew d'Ancona to redated the Magdalen papyrus to the latter half of the 1st century based on palaeographical evidence, ignited substantial debate within academic and theological circles. Thiede's efforts to present his findings to a wider audience sometimes led to him being characterized as a popularizer of academic research. His book "Eyewitness to Jesus" detailed his research on the Magdalen papyrus, employing advanced papyrological methods and comparative analysis to support his dating.

Beyond his work on the Dead Sea Scrolls, Thiede explored other significant areas related to early Christianity. In "The Quest for the True Cross," co-authored with Matthew d'Ancona, he presented a palaeographic study suggesting the "Titulus Crucis" could be authentic, despite widespread scholarly opinion classifying it as a medieval forgery. His research also focused on key figures like Peter and Paul. For the final seven years of his life, Thiede was involved with the Israel Antiquities Authority, undertaking the crucial task of repairing damaged Dead Sea Scrolls and participating in excavations at the biblical site of Emmaus. His dedication to these historical and archaeological endeavors underscored his commitment to understanding the origins and early development of Christianity.