W. J. (Bill) Jobling

New Evidence for the History of Indigenous Aramaic Christianity in Southern Jordan

Introduction

New evidence for the history of indigenous aramaic christianity in southern jordan. New evidence reveals Indigenous Aramaic Christianity's history in Pre-Islamic Southern Jordan. Explore early Christian movement, Petra excavations, ancient scrolls & Palestina Tertia sees.

Abstract

Pre-Islamic Southern Jordan has for some time been a much neglected Aramaic-speaking domain in the history of the spread of the early Christian movement as it emerged from its Judaic origins. This is in spite of the large Byzantine site of Khirbet Humayma at the northern end of the Hisma and the sites in and around the Wadi Ramm, Petra and the copper-rich Wadi Araba. Now recent excavations of a large tripartite basilica which was discovered at Petra in 1990 and the discovery in its environs of ancient scrolls in December, 1993, have revived interest in the episcopal sees of Palestina Tertia, or Third Palestine, and the history of their origins and development.

Review

The abstract for "New Evidence for the History of Indigenous Aramaic Christianity in Southern Jordan" presents a highly promising and timely contribution to the field of early Christian studies and regional archaeology. It immediately captures attention by identifying pre-Islamic Southern Jordan as a historically "neglected Aramaic-speaking domain" central to understanding the spread of early Christianity from its Judaic origins. The proposed work’s strength lies in its explicit focus on new archaeological and textual discoveries – specifically, the tripartite basilica at Petra and ancient scrolls found in its vicinity – which are poised to significantly revive scholarly interest in the episcopal sees of Palestina Tertia and the broader narrative of their establishment and development. This research promises to fill a critical gap in our understanding of Christian expansion in the Near East. By concentrating on sites such as Khirbet Humayma, Wadi Ramm, Petra, and Wadi Araba, the paper leverages recently unearthed data to shed light on a region whose significance has perhaps been underestimated in previous scholarship. The discovery of a large basilica suggests a well-established and organized Christian presence, while the mention of ancient scrolls implies a rich textual corpus that could provide invaluable insights into the specific character, practices, and indigenous nature of Aramaic Christianity in this area. These pieces of "new evidence" are crucial for moving beyond speculation and building a more nuanced historical account. While the abstract effectively outlines the exciting potential of this research, the full paper will undoubtedly need to elaborate on several key aspects to maximize its impact. A detailed analysis of the content and context of the "ancient scrolls" will be paramount, as will a comprehensive description of the basilica's architectural features, iconography, and associated artifacts. Furthermore, the methodology for interpreting how these discoveries specifically demonstrate "indigenous Aramaic Christianity" and re-evaluate existing historical narratives will be crucial. This work has the potential to fundamentally shift perceptions of early Christian history in the Levant, offering a compelling case for the vibrant and perhaps unique expressions of faith in this understudied region.

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