Significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls for the New Testament - Lester L Grabbe - October 1975

Lester L Grabbe

Jesus was an Essene. Jesus was already anticipated in His crucifixion and resurrection appearance by the leader of the Qumran sect more than a century earlier. Significant sections of the New Testament have surfaced among the Dead Sea Scrolls which bid fair to revolutionize scholarship. These are some of the more sensational claims for the Dead Sea Scrolls which have appeared in newspaper headlines over the last few years. We will examine the veracity of such assertions. Yet they illustrate what many people may not have realized: the Dead Sea Scrolls are important not only for the Old Testament, but also for the New. Did Christianity Begin at Qumran? Some of the more extravagant claims made are outlined in a box on page 29. Suffice it to say that only one of those listed, John Allegro, can claim any scholarly expertise in the area. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library