Robin McL. Wilson Says It Best With Regards to Secret Mark - "there are some areas in which agnosticism is the only possible position"

Robin McL. Wilson former head of New Testament department at St Mary's College, St Andrew's University, a man who was translation editor of Schneemelcher's NT Apocrypha and also who worked on the Nag Hammadi texts has - I believe - articulated the only logical position based on Viklund's demolition of Carlson's 'forger's tremor' argument this month (for anyone that somehow 'suspects' that Viklund has 'done something' to the photos, you can contact Hedrick for the originals or order the 2000 article which included the photos from the Westar Institute for about $4.50).

As Wilson notes in an email today:

I have a very high respect for Birger Pearson's judgment, and should like to give him my support.

When I last looked into the matter of the Secret Gospel of Mark, I had the impression that nobody had ever seen the manuscript, apart from Morton Smith. That would appear to be incorrect, since Charles Hedrick is credited with colour photographs at a later date (some seventeen years after my retirement). Suggestions of forgery, and in particular forgery by Morton Smith, go back to an early stage -- it was ironic that one who was sometimes waspish in his criticism of others should leave himself open to criticism through the publication of his book. No real evidence of forgery was however available, and I am by no means certain that Carlson's approach provides it. There are some areas in which agnosticism is the only possible position -- we simply do not know, and must recognise the fact, although we must continue conscientious effort to find the true answers.

R.McL. Wilson (Emeritus Professor of Biblical Criticism, University of St Andrews)

For those who don't know Professor Wilson here are some wonderful reflections on this great man by someone that knew him well. I am also happy to note that this distinguished scholar has tentatively agreed to come on board as a consultant for an important project I am working on in the New Year. إن شاء الل