The Faith Of Qumran

In the only book that comprehensively treats the thelogical ideas in the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ringgren focuses on the major themes of Doctrine, Organization, and Cult, and Place Within the History of Religion. Includes a new Foreword by James H. Charlesworth, which portrays the importance of this book in light of recent controversy and research.

Dr. Norman Golb's classic study on the origin of the Dead Sea Scrolls is now available online. Since their earliest discovery in 1947, the Scrolls have been the object of fascination and extreme controversy. Challenging traditional dogma, Golb has been the leading proponent of the view that the Scrolls cannot be the work of a small, desert-dwelling fringe sect, as various earlier scholars had claimed, but are in all likelihood the remains of libraries of various Jewish groups, smuggled out of Jerusalem and hidden in desert caves during the Roman siege of 70 A. D. Contributing to the enduring debate sparked by the book's original publication in 1995, this digital edition contains additional material reporting on new developments that have led a series of major Israeli and European archaeologists to support Golb's basic conclusions. In its second half, the book offers a detailed analysis of the workings of the scholarly monopoly that controlled the Scrolls for many years, and discusses Golb's role in the struggle to make the texts available to the public. Pleading for an end to academic politics and a commitment to the search for truth in scrolls scholarship, Who Wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls? sets a new standard for studies in intertestamental history "This book is 'must reading'.... It demonstrates how a particular interpretation of an ancient site and particular readings of ancient documents became a straitjacket for subsequent discussion of what is arguably the most widely publicized set of discoveries in the history of biblical archaeology...." Dr. Gregory T. Armstrong, 'Church History' Golb "gives us much more than just a fresh and convincing interpretation of the origin and significance of the Qumran Scrolls. His book is also... a fascinating case-study of how an idee fixe, for which there is no real historical justification, has for over 40 years dominated an elite coterie of scholars controlling the Scrolls...." Daniel O'Hara, 'New Humanist'

The Dead Sea Scrolls are regarded as perhaps the most important archaeological find of the twentieth century - their importance to the history and development of Judaism and Christianity is unquestionable. This lavishly produced book shows the scrolls in their context, providing translations, pictures, and information on associated finds.

This new volume in the Studies in the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature series explores two principal themes: the text and shape of the "Bible" at Qumran and the interpretation of these scriptures by the Qumran community and other ancient Jews. Written by leading scholars in the field, these informed studies make an important contribution to our understanding of these two pivotal topics.

A major new work on the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest sacred documents of Judaism, which reveals their surprising connections to early Christianity. “A luminous treatment of a fascinating subject! Highly recommended!”—Scott Hahn, author of The Fourth Cup From award-winning scholar John Bergsma comes an intriguing book that reveals new insights on the Essenes, a radical Jewish community predating Christianity, whose existence, beliefs, and practices are often overlooked in the annuls of history. Bergsma reveals how this Jewish sect directly influenced the beliefs, sacraments, and practices of early Christianity and offers new information on how Christians lived their lives, worshipped, and eventually went on to influence the Roman Empire and Western civilization. Looking to Hebrew scripture and Jewish tradition, Bergsma helps to further explain how a simple Jewish peasant could go on to inspire a religion and a philosophy that still resonates 2,000 years later. In this enriching and exciting exploration, Bergsma demonstrates how the Dead Sea Scrolls—the world's greatest modern archaeological discovery—can shed light on the Church as a sacred society that offered hope, redemption, and salvation to its member. Ultimately, these mysterious writings are a time machine that can transport us back to the ancient world, deepen our appreciation of Scripture, and strengthen our understanding of the Christian faith. “An accessible introduction . . . This is a handy entry point for readers unfamiliar with Essenes or those interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls.”—Publishers Weekly

"Qumran: New Light on the New Testament" provides a scholarly, yet readable analysis of the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they relate to the formation of the New Testament and the first century Church. The text offers a unique explanation of the early church controversy between Paul, the Jerusalem church and the so-called "judaizers."

Did the Vatican suppress the publication of the Dead Sea Scrolls? Why has there been such a delay in making them public? Do they radically call in question the Christian understanding of Jesus? These and many other questions have been asked in recent popular books, and there have been charges of fraud, deceit and cover-ups. In Jesus, Qumran and the Vatican, two distinguished German scholars examine these issues and more, producing a highly readable and reliable account of the present state of research on the Scrolls and their significance and implications for Christianity. The result is a scholarly mystery tale which readers will not be able to put down. `A courageous refutation of absurd assertations, half-truths and lies about the Qumran scrolls, the origins of Christianity and the Catholic Church' (Martin Hengel, University of Tubingen). `A telling refutation of the fantastic and extraordinary claims recently made about the Dead Sea Scrolls and their relation to Jesus of Nazareth, early Christianity and the Vatican' (Joseph A. Fitzmyer, SJ, Catholic University of America). `Critics claim the Dead Sea Scrolls prove that the church's portrait of Jesus is grotesquely inaccurate. Other contend that the Vatican has been "hiding" the Scrolls because they would damage the faith of Christians. In an informed and engaging way, Betz and Riesner now speak to these concerns and reveal who are the fools' (James H. Charlesworth, Princeton Theological Seminary).