The Dead Sea Scrolls: The Truth Behind the Mystique

by Lawrence H. Schiffman

Content :

001 - The Library of Qumran
002 - Scandal and Publication
003 - Sects of the Second Temple Period
004 - The Halakhic Letter and the Founding of the Sect
005 - The Qumran Sect
006 - Women and the Dead Sea Scrolls Sect
007 - Theology and Beliefs of the Dead Sea Sect
008 - Biblical Interpretation
009 - The Hebrew Bible in Second Temple Time
010 - The Messiah and the End of Days
011 - The Temple Scroll
012 - The Scrolls, Judaism, and Christianity
013 - Controversial Messianic Texts
014 - The Scrolls in Public Culture

Genres: History, Religion, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Judaism

14 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[John Martindale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this a long time ago, but one thing I remembered was his brief mention of some of the liberal scholars who claimed really late dates for various biblical books. But pieces of copies those books were found among the dead sea scrolls, and they had much earlier dates then then what these scholars confidently proclaimed. What I liked about this is it shows these stuck up, prideful scholars who love to tear apart the bible and make all these bold assertions, may not be on as firm ground as some suppose. It is clear scholars go into their studies with a bias, most now enter into their research with naturalistic perspective and an obvious desire to discredit the bible in every way possible. So yeah, it was fun to hear in one of Schiffman's lectures, a mention of a time they were caught with egg on their face.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very rudimentary introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls. I was a little disappointed. Too much time and effort spent refuting crackpot ideas about what the scrolls are and not enough detail on what they actually are and what they tell us. At the conclusion of the final lecture, Schiffman calls for a deeper analysis of the scrolls--the things he calls for were what I was hoping to hear in this lecture series. Apparently the field is too young--it's only been in the past couple of decades that the entire corpus of the scrolls have been published and thereby made widely available scholars.

[Abdulaziz Fagih · Rating 2 out of 5]

These lecture are bit boring and the presenters lacks the skills to attract listener and the contents of lectures only give a brief intro about the scroll and spend most of the lecture trying to refute rumors about the scroll and nonsense clams. And he clams that his view about what in the scrolls are the only sensible one so in other word its lacks objectivity

[Marianne Shaughnessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this audio book/lecture and would love to find a printed copy. Lawrence Schiffman provides a wealth of fascinating information -- more even than I wanted to know -- about the Dead Sea Scrolls. He discusses where and how they were found, what they are, who wrote them and why, and the role they played in Judaism and early Christianity. The information is so comprehensive, it really takes more than one listen to take in at all. This is not a complaint. I believe Schiffman's book "Reclaiming the Dead Sea Scrolls" might be the text version.

[Bill Dauster · Rating 4 out of 5]

This recorded book is superior in its recognition that the Dead Sea Scrolls reflect a Jewish, not Christian, history. But Schiffman does not suffer competitors lightly as he presents his views. And Schiffman does not take the time needed to review in detail several of the scrolls. For a more pluralistic view, consider also Professor Gary A. Rendsburg’s longer, more-detailed version: The Great Courses: The Dead Sea Scrolls.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed these lectures. Schiffman did a great job of presenting multiple points of view, including his own, without being judgemental or emotional. I liked his balanced approach to taking the scrolls as a whole, not zeroing in on certain details that support crackpot and conspiracy ideas. That said, he did spend a lot of time debunking certain ideas, which may be necessary, but I think he could have spent more time getting into the details of the Scrolls themselves.

[grace saint · Rating 2 out of 5]

my bad I should have paid more attention to the title. the mystique is the bit im interested in, the practical historical context not so much

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

Biased, preachy and overall annoying. Some professors make their subject matter come to life. Others like Mr. Schiffman, completely disembowel their subject matter.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr Schiffman talks animated about all matters of faith and history. In the last few lectures, he talked so fast to get as much information as possible in the 30 minutes, I focused on his efforts more than on the content. I even listened to chapter 10 twice, the Messianic explanation remains a mystery. To me.

To read this book right after "Vision of Utopia: philosophy and the perfect society," by Professor Baumann, made for one connection: The perfect society so desired by people throughout the centuries, or even millennia, compares with the hopes of Jews and Christians in the life of the hereafter: heaven. There the folks do not fight, they get along, they live in harmony, away from evil. The descriptions match.

Yes, the objective of Mr Schiffman, that his hearers go on to explore the Dead Sea Scrolls, might very well be met. It is on my non-fiction to-read list. There is an exposition on the Dead Sea Scrolls in Salt Lake City right now, and I happen to be in the area later this month! :)

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't familiar with the Modern Scholars series, so I wasn't sure how legit it was. Which I think, based on the last chapter/lecture in this series, Prof. Schiffman would amusedly appreciate (because there are a lot of people who've used the Dead Sea Scrolls to promote some rather untrue things.)

What Schiffman outlines is done in an interesting and accessible way. It's about how this particular sect - what is known, not known, and best guesses. How the Dead Sea Scrolls have nothing to do with Jesus or John the Baptist. IIRC, the scrolls pre-date them by about 150 years. What the scrolls do help us understand is the start of post-temple Judaism as well as the shared elements with early Christianity.

[Grace B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good introduction to the Qumran Caves Scrolls. It debunks some of the myths and consipiracies surrounding the scrolls, like how they were found, what they represent, etc.
I noticed some people complaining about this, but had they had read the title, their expectations would've been set straight.
I think it's reasonable for the professor to not include the contents of the scrolls in these lectures. Why would he? It's a commentary on the historical part.
Anyway. Like I said, it's good starting point if you know nothing on the topic.

[Irena Pasvinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourteen lectures about the Dead Sea Scrolls by a professor who has been actively researching in this field for many years. He is passionate about the subject and has interesting theories and suggestions regarding many topics, but, unlike some other Modern Scholar lecturers, Lawrence H. Schiffman always takes care mentioning competing theories instead of stating his own position wrapped into "it is obvious that" or "as everybody knows".

[Margaret Hardie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I was expecting. I was turned off at the beginning when the author used "BCE" and "CE" rather than "BC" and "AD" referring to time periods. It went downhill from there. I have to admit, I didn't finish it, or even get half way. I felt he was just opinionated rather than informative. Of course, maybe this review is the same (ha ha).

[Rob Squires · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very mainstream, balanced, and informative look at the Dead Sea Scrolls that not only deals with the hype and conspiracy theories surrounding them, but explains them in the context of the Jewish milieu in which they emerged in the 1st and 2nd century BCE. If you want to become generally informed and conversant in the Dead Sea Scrolls, this is a great place to start.

[Donna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected. Too much academic rhetoric about what it is not, mostly it is pre christian / not catholic - but I think most everyone knows that

[Haleygeek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to do some wikipedia searching to get caught up on Jewish history, but good info.

[Eliyahu (Marc) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it but you feel left with wanting to hear the other side.