World's oldest church discovered

[Yoder777]

MYSTAGOGY: A First Century Church in Jordan?

This was a big story in 2008 and I wonder if it's still considered authentic. Reportedly, underneath a church building that was already ancient, an even more ancient church was found inside a cave, with an inscription referring to the seventy disciples.

 

[ArmyMatt]

hadn't seen that before, it's very interesting. thanks for the post

 

[Yoder777]

If authentic, the find is incredible, but I can't find any recent articles on it.

Here are some critical articles of it:

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/06/080613-old-church.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,365626,00.html

 

[Adaephon]

If there's nothing more about it after that, it means it was probably discounted on further investigation. The critical articles are correct in saying not much evidence is presented. Good evidence would include scientific dating of artifacts showing that they were created and installed there in the first century.

 

[Yoder777]

If there's nothing more about it after that, it means it was probably discounted on further investigation. The critical articles are correct in saying not much evidence is presented. Good evidence would include scientific dating of artifacts showing that they were created and installed there in the first century.

The important question is whether or not the cave was used as a place of Christian worship in the first century.

 

[Adaephon]

The important question is whether or not the cave was used as a place of Christian worship in the first century.

I thought that's what I just said.

Let me restate it: from your inability to find any later articles on this find, it would appear that subsequent investigation found that Christians did not.

 

[Dewi Sant]

I'm afraid I'm with Adaephon in this.

It would be a wonderful thing to think such a find is genuine, but I too cannot see any evidence. It would be nice if the mosaic could have been pictured.

As for a long corridor leading down to a water source...isn't that a normal way caves develop? From underground water passages and rivers which have since dried up.
There does seem a great level of anachronism.