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Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity
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
“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
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
298 people are currently reading
1766 people want to read
About the author
John Bergsma
28 books130 followersDr. John Bergsma is Associate Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Steubenville, Ohio. He holds the M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and served as a Protestant pastor for four years before entering the Catholic Church in 2001 while pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He specialized in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, graduating with high honors in 2004. His major study of the interpretation of the Year of Jubilee in ancient times is published as The Jubilee from Leviticus to Qumran (Brill Academic, 2007). Dr. Bergsma’s articles, some co-authored with Dr. Scott Hahn, have appeared in several academic journals as well as Lay Witness, the magazine of Catholics United for the Faith. He has appeared as a guest on EWTN’s The Journey Home, Franciscan University Presents, and Relevant Radio’s Drew Mariani Show. Twice voted Faculty of the Year by graduating classes of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Dr. Bergsma is a popular teacher who inspires his students with a love of Scripture. He and his wife Dawn reside with their eight children in Steubenville, Ohio.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Theology - University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana)
Master of Theology (Th.M.) - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Classical Languages - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Theology - University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana)
Master of Theology (Th.M.) - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Classical Languages - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
October 20, 2019
Previously I was pretty dubious of making Essenes connections with the original Christian community and especially John the Baptist. This book really makes the case for a much higher connection in theological thought and interactions with this community. Many details in the Gospels seem rather odd or out-of-place but make much more sense in taking in this communities teachings.
Bergsma is very care in not making the evidence prove more than it can, but shows where it can enlighten some mystifying passages. The distinctions he makes at the end shows that their thoughts and theological reflections were at least known at the time and there are many parallels that grew out of the Old Testament Church into the growth of Christianity. Super interesting.
Bergsma is very care in not making the evidence prove more than it can, but shows where it can enlighten some mystifying passages. The distinctions he makes at the end shows that their thoughts and theological reflections were at least known at the time and there are many parallels that grew out of the Old Testament Church into the growth of Christianity. Super interesting.
October 11, 2020
This was an incredibly interesting read. The author is of a protestant background but he discusses the roots of Christian traditions in the Orthodox and Catholic church in ancient Judaism. It was also interesting to see how the dead sea scrolls shed light on how scholars understand the new testament. I would recommend this book. My one gripe with the book is that the author shies away from making any definitive statements on which forms of Christianity most closely follow the original, even if I had disagreed with the author I would have liked to see him make a definitive statement and argument for his statement.
October 13, 2019
A very interesting book that I think all Christians should read for the historical information.
It built my faith as a piece of previous information I was not aware of regarding the dead sea scrolls.
It is a fairly easy book to read and I found it enjoyable as well.
It built my faith as a piece of previous information I was not aware of regarding the dead sea scrolls.
It is a fairly easy book to read and I found it enjoyable as well.
February 20, 2021
Wow. Bergsma is a Dead Sea Scrolls expert and discusses how they were found, what they include, and how they fill in gaps not only in the New Testament Gospels but in other writings as well. It’s not solely about Jesus, but Jesus’ story and life as told by the New Testament.
Shoot, even as told by the Old Testament
He sums up each chapter with a short boxed-out paragraph, and then provides additional resources outside of the end notes.
There was a community of Essenes in a place called Qumran, which is on the shore of the Dead Sea. In the 1940s, the Essene library was found in the caves around Qumran. By accident.
~ The Essenes were a branch of ancient Judaism that seemed to be made up only of men, most of whom were celibate, and all of whom strove for holiness through an ascetical lifestyle.
~ It’s very interesting to know that one of the scrolls was a complete copy of the Book of Isaiah in Hebrew, dating back to maybe 125 BC
~ Years of excavations revealed buildings and thousands of scrolls/manuscripts. A quarter were “biblical” and most of the rest were about the Essene sect itself. Each was given a number/reference code, and Bergsma provides information on ten of the best-preserved (and most important) scrolls that were found.
--The Great Isaiah Scroll--The Community Rule (the oldest example of the rule genre)--The Damascus Document (history, aims, and laws of the Essenes)--The War Scroll (apocalyptic understandings)--The Temple Scroll (instructions from God to Moses about how to govern the Jerusalem Temple)--4QMMT (the Works of the Law)--The Pesharim (commentaries on biblical books)--The Psalms of Thanksgiving (extrabiblical psalms of praise)--The Melchizedek Document (interpretation of biblical texts predicting the return of Melchizedek)--The Rule of the Congregation (how Israel would be governed & organized when Messiah(s) arrived)
~ yes. Messiahs. Because there is a priestly one from the line of Aaron and a royal one from the line of David.
Luke’s Gospel tells us of John’s priestly lineage, and thus we turn to John, and his possible relationship with the Essenes.
~ Gabriel visiting Mary in Luke is reflected in an Essene messianic prophecy that dates back to the decade or two before Jesus was born.
~ Almost every detail given about John the Baptist parallels the Qumran texts. This is particularly true because apparently the Essenes were the only Jewish sect that produced prophets.
~ Qumran lies East of Jerusalem, in the “wilderness,” and this is where John came from eating locusts
~ John’s garb and diet are reflective of Essene culture and some of their laws about food.
~ John the Apostle is thought of as originally a disciple of John the Baptist, which could be why John’s Gospel is so different--it points to Essene tradition
~ The notion that Jesus’ boy is a Temple is akin to the Essenes believing themselves to be Temples of Adam.
~ The Qumranites believed that the Holy Spirit moved through their community, so the idea of being “born of water and the Spirit” wasn’t a new “Christian” concept. It was a sacramental realism of Jewish practice.
I find it fascinating (and something that makes total sense) that Jews didn’t mean the religion as we know it now, but Judeans--of the tribe of Judah. Meanwhile, sons of Israel spoke more about the twelve tribes as a whole. What seems to be similar words to us meant something different in Jesus’ time.
The idea that “original sin” is about the absence of the Holy Spirit is mind blowing.
I like that Bergsma points out that different Christian denominations view Baptism, the Eucharist, and Marriage differently. Some of the differences are staggering.
On the Last Supper:
~ Certain aspects of the Essene sacred meal are reflected in the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper. Even the fact that a MAN is carrying a jug of water makes scholars believe that the Last Supper took place in the Essene sector of Jerusalem.
~ The Qumran meal required washing before the meal (Jesus washing feet) and then prayer both before and after the food along with a blessing over the bread and wine (which Jesus did).
~ Essenes believed in sitting according to rank, which is reflected in the argument among the Apostles over who was the greatest and then where they would sit during the Last Supper.
~ It was Jewish practice to refer to the members of a community as “the Many,” which is what Jesus meant by the “for Many.”
~ One of the Rules of the Essenes was to stay up for a third of the night to meditate on Scripture and pray together after the meal
~ The reason for discrepancies as to whether or not the Last Supper took place before or during Passover can be attributed to the fact that different Jewish sects followed different liturgical calendars--much like how Eastern Orthodox follows a different calendar than Roman Catholics. IT IS FASCINATING. It is also why phrases like “Passover of the Judeans” is used and not just “Passover.”
--This also makes sense given how much happens between the Last Supper and the crucifixion, especially given the fact that Passover WAS coming up and it was forbidden to have trials on feast days. So it’s extra likely Jesus celebrated the Essene Passover on a Tuesday.
On Celibacy & Marriage:
~ As I noted before, many Essene men actually partook in voluntary celibacy, and it was one of the most notable features of their religious lifestyle
~ The notion of celibacy leading to a life of perfect holiness is reflected in the Bible in a few ways: Tobit, Acts, and when Jesus mentions people choosing the life of a eunuch.
~ Jesus’ teaching on marriage (no divorce, honoring each other, going into the relationship out of one’s own will) resembles Essene teaching over Pharisaic ones.
On Priesthood:
~ It’s very interesting to learn that “binding” and “loosing” on Earth and Heaven has always been misinterpreted and abused by priests.
~ Having the Apostles going their own ways to spread God’s Word is akin to the succession of Overseers after a Teacher’s death in Essene practices.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians includes concepts that have parallels in the Scrolls. For example, both talk about the Community Rule and the Spirit-infused Temple of human beings
I love that Bergsma notes that Jesus’ movement was not a form of Essenism nor was Paul copying them. BUT the Dead Sea Scrolls provide additional context and information on Judaic religions and culture in Jesus’ day.
St. Paul seems to contradict himself in his writings by saying the life of Christ is about faith, but not about works...but then goes on about works. But one of the scrolls has a name that means “Some of the Works of the Law” that details what we tend to call “the letter of the law,” that Paul spoke against. What constitutes a clean cup? Who needs to be circumcised? Etc.
But the spirit of the law is about the Commandments, the law that benefits people and sets us straight.
So it’s not about Mosaic ceremonies but the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ that helps us love God and others.
Shoot, even as told by the Old Testament
He sums up each chapter with a short boxed-out paragraph, and then provides additional resources outside of the end notes.
There was a community of Essenes in a place called Qumran, which is on the shore of the Dead Sea. In the 1940s, the Essene library was found in the caves around Qumran. By accident.
~ The Essenes were a branch of ancient Judaism that seemed to be made up only of men, most of whom were celibate, and all of whom strove for holiness through an ascetical lifestyle.
~ It’s very interesting to know that one of the scrolls was a complete copy of the Book of Isaiah in Hebrew, dating back to maybe 125 BC
~ Years of excavations revealed buildings and thousands of scrolls/manuscripts. A quarter were “biblical” and most of the rest were about the Essene sect itself. Each was given a number/reference code, and Bergsma provides information on ten of the best-preserved (and most important) scrolls that were found.
--The Great Isaiah Scroll--The Community Rule (the oldest example of the rule genre)--The Damascus Document (history, aims, and laws of the Essenes)--The War Scroll (apocalyptic understandings)--The Temple Scroll (instructions from God to Moses about how to govern the Jerusalem Temple)--4QMMT (the Works of the Law)--The Pesharim (commentaries on biblical books)--The Psalms of Thanksgiving (extrabiblical psalms of praise)--The Melchizedek Document (interpretation of biblical texts predicting the return of Melchizedek)--The Rule of the Congregation (how Israel would be governed & organized when Messiah(s) arrived)
~ yes. Messiahs. Because there is a priestly one from the line of Aaron and a royal one from the line of David.
Luke’s Gospel tells us of John’s priestly lineage, and thus we turn to John, and his possible relationship with the Essenes.
~ Gabriel visiting Mary in Luke is reflected in an Essene messianic prophecy that dates back to the decade or two before Jesus was born.
~ Almost every detail given about John the Baptist parallels the Qumran texts. This is particularly true because apparently the Essenes were the only Jewish sect that produced prophets.
~ Qumran lies East of Jerusalem, in the “wilderness,” and this is where John came from eating locusts
~ John’s garb and diet are reflective of Essene culture and some of their laws about food.
~ John the Apostle is thought of as originally a disciple of John the Baptist, which could be why John’s Gospel is so different--it points to Essene tradition
~ The notion that Jesus’ boy is a Temple is akin to the Essenes believing themselves to be Temples of Adam.
~ The Qumranites believed that the Holy Spirit moved through their community, so the idea of being “born of water and the Spirit” wasn’t a new “Christian” concept. It was a sacramental realism of Jewish practice.
I find it fascinating (and something that makes total sense) that Jews didn’t mean the religion as we know it now, but Judeans--of the tribe of Judah. Meanwhile, sons of Israel spoke more about the twelve tribes as a whole. What seems to be similar words to us meant something different in Jesus’ time.
The idea that “original sin” is about the absence of the Holy Spirit is mind blowing.
I like that Bergsma points out that different Christian denominations view Baptism, the Eucharist, and Marriage differently. Some of the differences are staggering.
On the Last Supper:
~ Certain aspects of the Essene sacred meal are reflected in the Gospel accounts of the Last Supper. Even the fact that a MAN is carrying a jug of water makes scholars believe that the Last Supper took place in the Essene sector of Jerusalem.
~ The Qumran meal required washing before the meal (Jesus washing feet) and then prayer both before and after the food along with a blessing over the bread and wine (which Jesus did).
~ Essenes believed in sitting according to rank, which is reflected in the argument among the Apostles over who was the greatest and then where they would sit during the Last Supper.
~ It was Jewish practice to refer to the members of a community as “the Many,” which is what Jesus meant by the “for Many.”
~ One of the Rules of the Essenes was to stay up for a third of the night to meditate on Scripture and pray together after the meal
~ The reason for discrepancies as to whether or not the Last Supper took place before or during Passover can be attributed to the fact that different Jewish sects followed different liturgical calendars--much like how Eastern Orthodox follows a different calendar than Roman Catholics. IT IS FASCINATING. It is also why phrases like “Passover of the Judeans” is used and not just “Passover.”
--This also makes sense given how much happens between the Last Supper and the crucifixion, especially given the fact that Passover WAS coming up and it was forbidden to have trials on feast days. So it’s extra likely Jesus celebrated the Essene Passover on a Tuesday.
On Celibacy & Marriage:
~ As I noted before, many Essene men actually partook in voluntary celibacy, and it was one of the most notable features of their religious lifestyle
~ The notion of celibacy leading to a life of perfect holiness is reflected in the Bible in a few ways: Tobit, Acts, and when Jesus mentions people choosing the life of a eunuch.
~ Jesus’ teaching on marriage (no divorce, honoring each other, going into the relationship out of one’s own will) resembles Essene teaching over Pharisaic ones.
On Priesthood:
~ It’s very interesting to learn that “binding” and “loosing” on Earth and Heaven has always been misinterpreted and abused by priests.
~ Having the Apostles going their own ways to spread God’s Word is akin to the succession of Overseers after a Teacher’s death in Essene practices.
Paul’s letter to the Ephesians includes concepts that have parallels in the Scrolls. For example, both talk about the Community Rule and the Spirit-infused Temple of human beings
I love that Bergsma notes that Jesus’ movement was not a form of Essenism nor was Paul copying them. BUT the Dead Sea Scrolls provide additional context and information on Judaic religions and culture in Jesus’ day.
St. Paul seems to contradict himself in his writings by saying the life of Christ is about faith, but not about works...but then goes on about works. But one of the scrolls has a name that means “Some of the Works of the Law” that details what we tend to call “the letter of the law,” that Paul spoke against. What constitutes a clean cup? Who needs to be circumcised? Etc.
But the spirit of the law is about the Commandments, the law that benefits people and sets us straight.
So it’s not about Mosaic ceremonies but the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ that helps us love God and others.
March 19, 2023
本書應該可以歸類於「基督教內」的神學研究範疇。對我這枚教外人士而言，有興趣並有所獲的，大概只有跟考古方面有關的介紹了吧。
記得多年前自己很著迷於出土簡帛，並認為這種穿越時空出現在我們眼前的第一手文字史料，更能夠完整地還原古代歷史與文明上的某個真實片斷；相較之下，世傳的經典因為經過代代傳寫抄錄，並附上每個時代文人的「扭曲」，反倒並不那麼地忠於原味。但隨著材料的累積與研究，後來我才發現自己的概念並不正確。古人——或者說是負責傳承文化的知識份子——並沒有那麼多小心眼去扭曲或竄改其師承而來的學問。藉由出土史料，反倒更真實地驗證世傳文獻的體系。至於有所扭曲的，也毋須拿出土簡帛來加以糾正，過去的每個世代都有知識份子在缺乏考古的材料之下，早已作出各種研究了。或句話說，就像是兩漢的「古文／今文之爭」，世傳文獻與出土文物，兩者皆有其價值，也沒有任何一方可以壓倒貶低另一方。
話題轉回。本書的作者，他所要進行的工作，就是過度地誇大了出土材料（死海古卷）的作用了。死海古卷，自然可以用來反應出當時（公元前後）當地（猶太地區）的一種思潮。但也正如我們由世傳記錄所知，寫下這堆古文卷的愛色尼派猶太人（昆蘭社群），是屬於那些離群索居的宗教社群。而我們也都知道，原始基督教團的建立，是屬於當時「都市文明」之下的產物。因此居住在曠野的這群獨身修士團體，他們的某些思想或許可以反映當時猶太人那百花爭鳴思潮中的「一支」，但它對於後來興起的基督教會的影響，則不應該太過強調，甚至貶低了《基督教聖經．新約》自己為自己的描述。
用個比較粗魯的比擬。本書作者拿了《死海古卷》的某一段記述，然後便衍伸說，「你看看，原來基督教教會的某個觀念和理論，並不是來自我們認為的耶路撒冷或羅馬基督教社群中的猶太人，而是源自於這些離群索居的人。施洗約翰和耶穌，要不是愛色尼派中的一人，否則便是由他們所接濟而來的。」——這種腦洞太過跳 Tone 了。
關於早期基督教會的各種制度和儀禮，我相信歷來的宗教學者已經作出很好的研究。我們必須還原時空，當時正是羅馬共和轉向帝國的時期，是地中海文化區內各種文明習俗互相流通交盪的情況。比如像是「洗禮」，在《舊約》當中並沒有強調，因此宗教文化學界歷來都認為，公元紀元前後猶太人出現的這項儀式，與埃及的宗教傳統有關——向人「借來」的儀禮，並沒有什麼不好。然而本書作者卻搜索枯腸，硬是從《死海古卷》中摘出要潔淨身體的條文，並認定施洗約翰從這個社團而來，從而帶給了後來耶穌與其弟子所創立的基督教會。至於「領聖餐」啟發自波斯的彌勒（Mithras）信仰、為宗教而「淨身/ 閹割」則是敘利亞一帶的習俗；這些，都不需要再往那封閉偏遠的社群去尋找。
思想來自於真實的人，而真實的人會因生活環境而不斷適應。本書除了一開始引述了約瑟夫的《猶太戰史》與一兩則普林尼的《博物誌》之外，再也不作任何「外求」，完全醬在特定的故紙堆（《基督教聖經新舊約》和《死海手卷》）當中。這種作學問方法，有點像是循環論證，自然萬事萬物都必定縮限在當中，也沒有不能自圓其說的了。我個人並不喜歡。
記得多年前自己很著迷於出土簡帛，並認為這種穿越時空出現在我們眼前的第一手文字史料，更能夠完整地還原古代歷史與文明上的某個真實片斷；相較之下，世傳的經典因為經過代代傳寫抄錄，並附上每個時代文人的「扭曲」，反倒並不那麼地忠於原味。但隨著材料的累積與研究，後來我才發現自己的概念並不正確。古人——或者說是負責傳承文化的知識份子——並沒有那麼多小心眼去扭曲或竄改其師承而來的學問。藉由出土史料，反倒更真實地驗證世傳文獻的體系。至於有所扭曲的，也毋須拿出土簡帛來加以糾正，過去的每個世代都有知識份子在缺乏考古的材料之下，早已作出各種研究了。或句話說，就像是兩漢的「古文／今文之爭」，世傳文獻與出土文物，兩者皆有其價值，也沒有任何一方可以壓倒貶低另一方。
話題轉回。本書的作者，他所要進行的工作，就是過度地誇大了出土材料（死海古卷）的作用了。死海古卷，自然可以用來反應出當時（公元前後）當地（猶太地區）的一種思潮。但也正如我們由世傳記錄所知，寫下這堆古文卷的愛色尼派猶太人（昆蘭社群），是屬於那些離群索居的宗教社群。而我們也都知道，原始基督教團的建立，是屬於當時「都市文明」之下的產物。因此居住在曠野的這群獨身修士團體，他們的某些思想或許可以反映當時猶太人那百花爭鳴思潮中的「一支」，但它對於後來興起的基督教會的影響，則不應該太過強調，甚至貶低了《基督教聖經．新約》自己為自己的描述。
用個比較粗魯的比擬。本書作者拿了《死海古卷》的某一段記述，然後便衍伸說，「你看看，原來基督教教會的某個觀念和理論，並不是來自我們認為的耶路撒冷或羅馬基督教社群中的猶太人，而是源自於這些離群索居的人。施洗約翰和耶穌，要不是愛色尼派中的一人，否則便是由他們所接濟而來的。」——這種腦洞太過跳 Tone 了。
關於早期基督教會的各種制度和儀禮，我相信歷來的宗教學者已經作出很好的研究。我們必須還原時空，當時正是羅馬共和轉向帝國的時期，是地中海文化區內各種文明習俗互相流通交盪的情況。比如像是「洗禮」，在《舊約》當中並沒有強調，因此宗教文化學界歷來都認為，公元紀元前後猶太人出現的這項儀式，與埃及的宗教傳統有關——向人「借來」的儀禮，並沒有什麼不好。然而本書作者卻搜索枯腸，硬是從《死海古卷》中摘出要潔淨身體的條文，並認定施洗約翰從這個社團而來，從而帶給了後來耶穌與其弟子所創立的基督教會。至於「領聖餐」啟發自波斯的彌勒（Mithras）信仰、為宗教而「淨身/ 閹割」則是敘利亞一帶的習俗；這些，都不需要再往那封閉偏遠的社群去尋找。
思想來自於真實的人，而真實的人會因生活環境而不斷適應。本書除了一開始引述了約瑟夫的《猶太戰史》與一兩則普林尼的《博物誌》之外，再也不作任何「外求」，完全醬在特定的故紙堆（《基督教聖經新舊約》和《死海手卷》）當中。這種作學問方法，有點像是循環論證，自然萬事萬物都必定縮限在當中，也沒有不能自圓其說的了。我個人並不喜歡。
May 19, 2025
Bergsma beautifully crafts a perspective on the Gospel narratives through the lens of the Essenes, a monastic-like group of men living in Jerusalem and Qumran during the time of Christ. His understanding of archeology combined with his knowledge of biblical and historical theology create an interesting commentary that gives light to many questions and inconsistencies that have puzzled theologians for some time. Bergsma’s theology is approachable for all levels but still in-depth and insightful. I highly recommend this book to any reader interested in learning more about the life of Christ.
November 22, 2025
This book was much more helpful than I expected and drew me into the topic. For such a specific subject, the text was remarkably readable. The author does not push the reader to a set of conclusions, but lays out many potential connection points between the Essenes and the DDS materials and the early followers of Jesus. Even the weaker connections are at least potentially possible and some are quite plausible.
Very interesting and well-presented material.
Very interesting and well-presented material.
August 12, 2025
I'm hesitant to give much of a review, simply because this is an area in theology about which I know very little. That said, I do think the questions raised be the Essenes are an important part of current Scriptural scholarship. But I do not know enough to know how good or main stream is this author's writings on the Dead Sea Scrolls. I do find that the author seems to write in a strongly apologetic way, looking to an interpretation of the Dead Sea Scrolls to support his interpretation of the writings of St Paul and the Gospels, as well as using that to support the historical interpretation of Scripture in the Catholic Church. I find his arguments compelling and certainly worthy of reading. But, I lack the scholarship to know where the wider scholarship is on this matter. As an apologetics text, certainly worth a read. For learning about the dead sea scrolls, certainly a place to start but not end your education.
April 28, 2020
A must for Catholic apologists! Proves why the “apocrypha” of Protestants should be in every Bible as it has always been in the Catholic Bible. A slap in the face to Protestants who have argued that the Church was “too developed..” The fact is the Essenes, consisting of many of Jesus’s disciples came (likely John the Baptist as well - perhaps even Jesus Himself), were very developed in terms of organizational structure. The true Holy Catholic Church merely adopted what this fascinating Jewish sect already had to offer. Sheds light on the entire Bible and the Catholic faith. Highly recommend!!!
Now I’m quite interested in the Essenes as they were the holiest and most badass of the Jews at the time. Very similar to Christians in a way.
Now I’m quite interested in the Essenes as they were the holiest and most badass of the Jews at the time. Very similar to Christians in a way.
July 12, 2024
2024 reads: 23
Rating: 4.5 stars
A great introduction to the DSS in relation to the NT. Bergsma demonstrates the striking overlap between the DSS and NT documents. Whether or not one can argue for "influence" is hard to establish, but the similarities are obvious. Bergsma shows how the DSS can give clarity to difficult NT texts and ultimately shows its thorough Jewish background. Bergsma hits various subjects: "new covenant" theology, baptism, the Eucharist, the Spirit, ecclesiology, and "works of the law."
Small disagreements here and there (mostly surrounding Bergsma's Roman Catholic bent), but a solid intro for those wanting to get a good overview of the DSS in relation to the NT.
Rating: 4.5 stars
A great introduction to the DSS in relation to the NT. Bergsma demonstrates the striking overlap between the DSS and NT documents. Whether or not one can argue for "influence" is hard to establish, but the similarities are obvious. Bergsma shows how the DSS can give clarity to difficult NT texts and ultimately shows its thorough Jewish background. Bergsma hits various subjects: "new covenant" theology, baptism, the Eucharist, the Spirit, ecclesiology, and "works of the law."
Small disagreements here and there (mostly surrounding Bergsma's Roman Catholic bent), but a solid intro for those wanting to get a good overview of the DSS in relation to the NT.
May 6, 2020
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they relate to the emergence of Jesus and early Christianity. The scrolls were the library of the Essenes living at the site of Qumran by the Dead Sea. While Jesus was not an Essene himself, his teachings in the gospels show some remarkable parallels to certain passages in the scrolls. Likewise the gospel of John and the letters of St. Paul. One other thing that they had in common was an alienation from the Temple in Jerusalem which was controlled by the Sadducees and Pharisees.
December 3, 2021
1. The Dead Sea Scrolls and this book suggest remarkable insights on the early Apostles of Jesus and the early church – for example,
a.The fact that John the Baptist was probably raised by the Essenes ( his mother Elizabeth and Father was of an advanced age when John was born.
b. Apostles John and Andrew were followers of John the Baptist and the Gospel according John shows remarkable Essene influence on his writings (good vs evil; light vs darkness; the way of the Light; etc)
2. Cleansing with Water was a daily ritual of the Essenes at Qumran according to the Scrolls
3. The complete book of Isaiah was found – it was written as an entire book at least 150 years before Christ – therefore debunking theories that Isaiah couldn’t have prophesied Christ and the things he did in his life on Earth.
4. The Works vs. Faith discussion (Protestant vs Catholic) is very strong and should be agreed by all Christians. Points we should agree on are:
a. a holy life is not optional
b. we don’t save ourselves – this is a gift from God
5. The Scrolls help us get a better handle on St . Paul’s message : faith in Christ , not Mosaic ceremonies , gives us the Holy Spirit , who helps us love God and neighbor so as to fulfill the heart of God’s law . [such a good point and summary of our Catholic faith vs some other Christians
6. In structure , liturgy , and theology , the Essenes and early Christians were remarkably similar , but they diverged sharply on a few very important matters : the divinity of Christ and the ritual law , for example . The similarities help us to see how many aspects of Christianity thought to be novel are actually rooted in the faith and practice of Israel . It is likely that many of the first Christians came from an Essene background and were well prepared to help organize the early Church .
a.The fact that John the Baptist was probably raised by the Essenes ( his mother Elizabeth and Father was of an advanced age when John was born.
b. Apostles John and Andrew were followers of John the Baptist and the Gospel according John shows remarkable Essene influence on his writings (good vs evil; light vs darkness; the way of the Light; etc)
2. Cleansing with Water was a daily ritual of the Essenes at Qumran according to the Scrolls
3. The complete book of Isaiah was found – it was written as an entire book at least 150 years before Christ – therefore debunking theories that Isaiah couldn’t have prophesied Christ and the things he did in his life on Earth.
4. The Works vs. Faith discussion (Protestant vs Catholic) is very strong and should be agreed by all Christians. Points we should agree on are:
a. a holy life is not optional
b. we don’t save ourselves – this is a gift from God
5. The Scrolls help us get a better handle on St . Paul’s message : faith in Christ , not Mosaic ceremonies , gives us the Holy Spirit , who helps us love God and neighbor so as to fulfill the heart of God’s law . [such a good point and summary of our Catholic faith vs some other Christians
6. In structure , liturgy , and theology , the Essenes and early Christians were remarkably similar , but they diverged sharply on a few very important matters : the divinity of Christ and the ritual law , for example . The similarities help us to see how many aspects of Christianity thought to be novel are actually rooted in the faith and practice of Israel . It is likely that many of the first Christians came from an Essene background and were well prepared to help organize the early Church .
July 3, 2020
It's good scholarship, but I think it heavily overemphasises the Essene presence. For example, he goes after Bart Ehrman's contradiction on Days of Preparation by saying the Last Supper was on Easter Tuesday (The Day of the Preparation in line with the Essene calendar from the Book of Jubilees) and he was killed on Good Friday (The Day of the Preparation on the Sadducee/Pharisaic Calendar).
Although a nice argument that makes Ehrman look like he's not that well-read on the traditions of the Early Church (which, to be fair, he doesn't know his Patristics from what I have heard), it also breaks tradition. Not only that, but Ehrman is also forcing a contradiction, as you'll see from a number of internet posts responding to it. Therefore it's not necessary to assert this, especially as the Essenes aren't really all that present in the historical record.
I'm not going to finish the book, not because it's not good, but because I don't find it all that practical.
Although a nice argument that makes Ehrman look like he's not that well-read on the traditions of the Early Church (which, to be fair, he doesn't know his Patristics from what I have heard), it also breaks tradition. Not only that, but Ehrman is also forcing a contradiction, as you'll see from a number of internet posts responding to it. Therefore it's not necessary to assert this, especially as the Essenes aren't really all that present in the historical record.
I'm not going to finish the book, not because it's not good, but because I don't find it all that practical.
February 17, 2020
Audio book (Narrator: Mark Deakins)
An informative study on the relationship between the New Testament Gospels and the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran. The author begins with introducing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Jewish sect called the Essenes. I'm not up-to-date on the Essenes debate and whether the scrolls were written by them or that they actually existed at Qumran (they were first mentioned by Pliny the Elder and then described in more detail by Flavius Josephus), but John Bergsma seem quite certain in the relationship between the Essenes and the followers of Jesus.
The chapters are divided into different topics and Bergsma compares the scrolls with Christian Baptism, the Eucharist, celibacy and marriage, priesthood and the beginning of the Christian church.
An informative study on the relationship between the New Testament Gospels and the Dead Sea Scrolls found at Qumran. The author begins with introducing the Dead Sea Scrolls, and the Jewish sect called the Essenes. I'm not up-to-date on the Essenes debate and whether the scrolls were written by them or that they actually existed at Qumran (they were first mentioned by Pliny the Elder and then described in more detail by Flavius Josephus), but John Bergsma seem quite certain in the relationship between the Essenes and the followers of Jesus.
The chapters are divided into different topics and Bergsma compares the scrolls with Christian Baptism, the Eucharist, celibacy and marriage, priesthood and the beginning of the Christian church.
October 19, 2024
I think everyone would enjoy learning about the origins of John the Baptist since he’s a rather enigmatic figure in the gospels. But finally he has a well supported backstory. What looks like eccentricities in his behavior are just the cultural remnants of his upbringing and formation in the Essene sect and the vows he made in the monastic community of Qumran. The evidence is clear and abundant.
It’s stretched a little thin in the middle however when the book covers sexual morality and the communal dining:
However the book finished very strong. Every one must read the part on Paul’s notorious “works of the law.” The only other place this phrase exists in antiquity other than his letters is in the Dead Sea scrolls. What does it refer to? You’ll have to read it to find out.
It’s stretched a little thin in the middle however when the book covers sexual morality and the communal dining:
However the book finished very strong. Every one must read the part on Paul’s notorious “works of the law.” The only other place this phrase exists in antiquity other than his letters is in the Dead Sea scrolls. What does it refer to? You’ll have to read it to find out.
August 22, 2020
This was an okay introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls. It was lacking in serious scholarship, however; far too many conclusions are built upon shifting sands. Assumptions about the Qumran community--especially (in my opinion) their use of the Damascus Document--form a backbone to way too many assertions. And unfortunately, alternative theories put forth by the academic community are not even mentioned. However, bad stuff aside, there is much good to be found in the relation of the sectarian documents to early Christianity and to Second Temple Judaic thought. This is where this book provides an excellent primer.
October 31, 2019
This really helped me understand why some of the apostles and John the Baptist preached, spoke, and wrote the way they did. I can’t recommend this one highly enough. The insight on the gospel of John and John the Baptist was fascinating.
We won’t know for sure who may have been an Essene or may have been influenced by Essene thought, but there is much for Christians to learn from the Essenes that lived in Qumran.
We won’t know for sure who may have been an Essene or may have been influenced by Essene thought, but there is much for Christians to learn from the Essenes that lived in Qumran.
January 22, 2021
I took my time reading this enlightening book in order to absorb as much information as possible. It is scholarly, organized, and easy to read on a subject I previously had not considered while studying Scripture during the past 12 years. I found the summaries at the end of each chapter a nice bonus. Quotes from the Scrolls are included as are some Biblical quotes, though others are cited; I did not take the time to read those but will do so on a second reading of the book.
April 1, 2024
Revealing
I learned so much about the history of the Biblical narrative and a possible explanation for the discrepancies that the Bible challenges us with when considered along with some of the written scrolls. This book has inspired me to take a deeper dive into the historical culture and writings of the time before and after Christ.
I do think it is important to remember that the author presents possible causations and conclusions and not take them as necessarily a fact.
I learned so much about the history of the Biblical narrative and a possible explanation for the discrepancies that the Bible challenges us with when considered along with some of the written scrolls. This book has inspired me to take a deeper dive into the historical culture and writings of the time before and after Christ.
I do think it is important to remember that the author presents possible causations and conclusions and not take them as necessarily a fact.
July 12, 2021
Informative, interesting, illuminating. Author offers lots of support for his conclusions. The Dead Sea Scrolls show us many of the themes of ideas of Christianity that opponents point too as "too out there" to have historic connections are shown to have historic foundations. The scrolls also show how Christianity is not just a new Judaism. And, the scrolls help us understand the gospels better.
November 23, 2021
Jesus and The Dead Sea Scrolls
This book about the Essenes and Qumran was a surprise because I did not know the Essenes were another Jewish community active at the time of Jesus’s ministry. That He had the Last Supper in the Essenes District of Jerusalem, indicates to me a close connection between Jesus and their community.
This book about the Essenes and Qumran was a surprise because I did not know the Essenes were another Jewish community active at the time of Jesus’s ministry. That He had the Last Supper in the Essenes District of Jerusalem, indicates to me a close connection between Jesus and their community.
April 7, 2022
A very clear treatment of those portions of the Essene theology that relate to and inform Christian theology.
I was surprised to see how clear the Essene theology made the work of John the Baptist and the Gospel of John.
Further, his treatment of the Last Supper is the most succinct and clear take I have ever encountered.
Overall, I loved it!
I was surprised to see how clear the Essene theology made the work of John the Baptist and the Gospel of John.
Further, his treatment of the Last Supper is the most succinct and clear take I have ever encountered.
Overall, I loved it!
May 15, 2024
Revising my notes
Every so often a book appears that makes perfect sense of scriptures that were hard to understand before. That’s great news. The bad news is that it will take months to review and update the new information in years of teaching notes. Thank you, John Bergsma, for connecting all these dots.
Every so often a book appears that makes perfect sense of scriptures that were hard to understand before. That’s great news. The bad news is that it will take months to review and update the new information in years of teaching notes. Thank you, John Bergsma, for connecting all these dots.
July 30, 2025
This was recommended during one of my Catholic catechist formation classes by another participant. It's written by a Protestant, but is an excellent historical breakdown of the connections between the Essenes and Christianity generally. strongly recommended to anyone with an academic interest in the roots of Christian faith.
January 30, 2020
Academic book recommended by my husband. Explains some of the biblical context to unusual seeming parts of the New Testament that are actually in line with the Essene Jewish sect’s way of life/teaching. Such as celibacy, living in wilderness, works of the law, etc.
May 21, 2021
Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls
The book was informative and interesting. I would recommend it to anyone interested in what the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they influenced the people of their time and how that the Scrolls influenced Christianity. Great book.
The book was informative and interesting. I would recommend it to anyone interested in what the Dead Sea Scrolls and how they influenced the people of their time and how that the Scrolls influenced Christianity. Great book.
June 11, 2022
Essential Reading
A brilliant summary of the major theological implications confirmed by the Jewish Qumran community. Catholic theology is reinforced by the content of the Dea Sea scrolls.
A brilliant summary of the major theological implications confirmed by the Jewish Qumran community. Catholic theology is reinforced by the content of the Dea Sea scrolls.
January 21, 2023
Bergsma does a great job categorizing and communicating several parallels between early Christianity and some of the beliefs of various sects (namely the Essenes) within second temple Judaism as evidenced by the Dead Sea Scroll material. Enlightening.
January 27, 2023
I very much enjoyed reading this book. It was a very easy read and extremely interesting even for myself, a non-theologian. This book was mentioned in a homily by my local parish priest and it piqued my interest in history and the Scriptures.
December 17, 2019
Very interesting comparison between the Dead Sea Scrolls and that New Testament.
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