The Desert Speaks: rare Bible manuscript displayed on campus
Dr. Daniel Mynatt was recently named dean of the College of Humanities. Mynatt earned his BA from Wake Forest University and his MA and PhD from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Mynatt served at Anderson University for over 19 years, and was Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences since 2002. He and his wife Marcy have two sons.
This year, those attending the Easter Pageant also had the opportunity to view a tangible piece of ancient history. A oneday exhibit titled “The Desert Speaks: The P39 Manuscript” was displayed in Walton Chapel Wednesday, April 20. Though this manuscript is normally not allowed to be shown to the general public, the university was granted permission to put the small treasure on display in conjunction with the annual Professor Renata Hood and Christian studies student Evan Duncan (right), Easter Pageant. explain the history behind the P39 The exhibit featured an origiManuscript to an exhibit attendee. nal papyrus leaf with Greek text written on both sides, which was discovered in the ruins of the Egyptian village of Oxyrhynchus in 1897. Known as P39 (Papyrus 39), the manuscript was on loan to the university through the Green Collection. The collection, was established in 2009 by the Green family, founders of Hobby Lobby International, Inc. The university was one of the first colleges chosen to be part of the Green Scholars Initiative, through which students are allowed to study and do research on rare Bible manuscripts. Dr. Renate Hood, associate professor of Christian studies, served as the local scholar/mentor for the students. “The vision of the Green Scholars Initiative is to involve undergraduate students and to include smaller schools which normally do not get these opportunities,” Hood said. P39 is one of the oldest existing New Testament fragments in the world. The Greek text of the manuscript has been identified as a portion of John 8:14-22. Part of the work being done at UMHB is to reevaluate the dating, which is estimated to be early third century to late second century A.D. “There are only a handful of manuscripts which are this old,” Hood said. “It was written by a generation of scribes whose grandparents could have been alive during Christ’s lifetime.”
RANDY YANDELL
B Y C A R O L WO O DWA R D
The collaborative work of John Hancock (professor of art) and his brother Charles was recently featured at the The Croft Art Gallery in Waco in a show titled “Slop Bucket.” Elizabeth Webb was named assistant registrar in June. She had previously worked as a UMHB admissions counselor since 2007. Elizabeth earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UMHB. She lives in Temple with her husband, Daniel. James Stafford was appointed director of marketing and public relations in June. Before coming to UMHB, Stafford served as marketing coordinator at Temple Parks and Leisure Services. He is a University of Texas graduate. James and his wife, Tara, reside in Temple with their daughter Sydney.
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