================================================================== @@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@ @ @ @ @ Cho on @ @ @@@@@ @@@@@ Spring Black @ @ @ @ 1995 @ @ @ @ @@@@@@ @@@@@@ @@@@@@ ================================================================== R E V I E W S ================================================================== Dead Sea Scroll Book Reviews, for Religious Studies 225 University of Pennsylvania, Robert Kraft, Spring Term 1995 Copyright by the respective authors; reproduction with appropriate credits is permitted. [[NOTE: The assignment was to summarize the reviewed book and to compare it especially with the textbooks used in the course, by James VanderKam The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (Eerdmans/SPCK 1994) and Joseph Fitzmyer Responses to 101 Questions on the Dead Sea Scrolls (Paulist Press 1992). As with this note, any comments by the course instructor are enclosed in double brackets below.]] ----- Matthew Black (ed), The Scrolls And Christianity: Historical and Theological Significance. London: S.P.C.K., 1969. Pp. 132. Reviewed by Arthur K. Cho cho@eniac.seas.upenn.edu [[Arthur: can you say something briefly about who Matthew Black is, who the contributors to the volume are, and what they each contributed? This is customary in reviewing an anthology.]] <0.1> Since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in the area of Qumran in 1947, biblical scholars from around the world have thoroughly explored the historical and religious significance of their content. The ramifications of these findings have not only shed light on the apparent association of the scrolls with Judaic teaching but have also led to further investigation on how the scrolls are related to the beginnings of Christianity. Matthew Black has made a collection of these studies by different scholars and edited them into this anthology. Black reviews the findings to introduce the significance of the scrolls themselves and how they associate with the origins of Christianity. <1.1> Black introduces the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran and their relation to the Essene people. The dating of the scrolls is investigated through the use of historical accounts such as the writings of Josephus and archeological evidence such as coins and comparative dating of the scripts. The residents of Qumran and the writers of the Dead Sea Scrolls are thought to be Essene, which is established through various bits of evidence such as the similarities between Essene theology and beliefs described by Pliny and others and those expressed in the Qumran texts. <1.2> The Essenes are further examined in terms of their common rites and customs. Organization of the community such as the hierarchy of leadership is detailed. Essene rites such as the importance of bathing and sacred meals are described along with the significance of the solar calendar as opposed to the lunar calendar as followed by the leaders of the temple in Jerusalem. <1.3> The importance of the teacher of righteousness and his relation to the idea of messiah is also explored. The most significant finding is that the Essenes believed in two messiahs, one which may have been the teacher of righteousness, from the line of Aaron, and another from the Davidic line. This greatly disagrees with the Christian belief of Christ as the sole messiah. <1.4> The possible relationship between John the Baptist and the Qumran community is discussed in an attempt to connect with the very origins of Christianity. The most significant association between John and the Qumran community is the close proximity of Qumran to places where John taught (less than 10 miles). Fundamental differences are also apparent, however, as John preaches about baptism by Christ rather than by water and the openness of John's teaching to everyone contrasts with the strict isolation of the Essenes. <1.5> Black then introduces Jesus and the Gospels in light of the scrolls. Just as with John the Baptist, there are some similarities such as the 12 disciples and their relation to the 12 tribes of Israel and the rite of the breaking of bread. But again, the similarities are outweighed by the differences. Jesus preached openly and did not follow the strict interpretation of Judaic law by the Pharisees. It only follows that the even stricter interpretation of law by the Essenes provides an even greater contrast. <1.6> Finally, associations between the apostle Paul's writings and the Qumran scrolls are examined. The dualism between light and darkness is used extensively in the scrolls. Both the Pauline writings and the gospel of John express this idea. Discipline and the use of the terms "flesh and spirit" are also used in both Qumran and Pauline writings. Thus, closer connections are found between Essene ideas and Paul's writings than the previous comparisons with Jesus and the Gospels. <1.7> Black concludes that the amazing similarities between the scrolls and Christianity should not go unnoticed. Yet, Black stresses the enormous difference between contact and direct influence of the scrolls on Christianity. Although many similarities are seen, the number of differences suggests that the originality of Christianity is maintained. Black sums up the issue best by concluding that it is "the person and position of Christ which make the ultimate difference between the Gospel and the Scrolls" [[provide page number]]. <2.1> There are many positive features to The Scrolls and Christianity. Black's systematic approach in addressing the issue of the relations between the scrolls and Christianity is successful. He moves from Essene beliefs and then begins to contrast these beliefs, first with John the Baptist, then Jesus and the gospels, and finally the Pauline ideas. This provides a clear and concise view of the associations between the scrolls and Christianity and disposes of any unnecessary speculation and extraneous information. Even the points within each chapter are neatly numbered enabling the novice student of the Dead Sea Scrolls logically to follow the issues point by point. Also, the contributions by several scholars gives the reader a balanced outlook on academia's perception of the scrolls rather than that of a single author. <3.1> The main weakness of Black's book is that because the chapters are contributions from separate writers, the fluidity of the reading is not always maintained. In some chapters there is overlap of material such as the descriptions of the "sons of light" in both the chapters on Jesus and Paul. The overlap is slight though, and can only be expected with so many contributors and the extent to which they cover their respective topics. <3.2> Another weakness is the lack of excerpts from the scrolls themselves. Many times in dealing with topics such as eschatology and salvation, views tend to be given on a more general scale rather than providing them in the words of the scrolls or even of the New Testament. This can probably be attributed to the introductory level of the book but nevertheless, further excerpts from the scrolls themselves would be helpful. <00.1> Black successfully addresses the very intriguing question of the influence of the scrolls on Christianity. Black's choice in contributors provides a balanced and thorough overview on the issues surrounding the scrolls and Christianity. The organization and clarity makes Black's book an effective introduction to the scrolls and Christianity. Arthur K. Cho Box 88 3700 Spruce St. Philadelphia, PA 19104 cho@eniac.seas.upenn.edu //end//