The Dead Sea Scrolls

By: Gary A. Rendsburg, The Great Courses

Narrated by: Gary A. Rendsburg

Length: 12 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Whether complete or only fragmentary, the 930 extant Dead Sea Scrolls irrevocably altered how we look at and understand the foundations of faith and religious practice. Now you can get a comprehensive introduction to this unique series of archaeological documents, and to scholars' evolving understanding of their authorship and significance, with these 24 lectures. Learn what the scrolls are, what they contain, and how the insights they offered into religious and ancient history came into focus.

In following the extraordinary story of how the scrolls were acquired and ultimately published - a story fully 40 years in its unfolding - you'll also explore an almost unlimited treasure trove of new facts and insights. Throughout the lectures, you'll learn about these and other topics: the only historical instance of the Jews ever forcibly converting a conquered people to Judaism; the rare stroke of scholarly fortune represented in the discovery of the first seven scrolls sealed in jars; and the extraordinary intrigue (sometimes spanning generations) that overlays the story of the scrolls.

At the heart of this series are the documents themselves. You'll spend a wealth of time reading parts of the actual scrolls in English translation, training your eye to uncover the salient religious practices and intriguing theological ideas expressed in these documents. By the conclusion of the final lecture, you'll have developed a newfound understanding and appreciation of an unprecedented historical find and its enduring influence on the way we think about - and talk about - ancient Judaism and Christianity.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2010 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2010 The Great Courses

A Interesting Analysis on the Cumran Cave Scrolls

A very good and intriguing analysis of Dead Sea Scroll literacy and Jewish history. Definitely going to listen again to see what I missed.

eye opener!

a lot of information that makes you want to explore even further. very well presented and fairly (Christian/Jewish) discussed. eye opener to the 1st century culture in the Jewish communities.

I learned so much.

The discovery and process of piecing together and translating the scrolls was a fascinating story. I learned a lot about what was in the scrolls and about the culture of the people who created the scrolls. I very much enjoyed the series.

Long and interesting to hear about the fact of thi

Consider the fact of this is the long leaning of new facts of Jesus .

theology review

if any one wishes to become a theologist please read this book.it is phenomenal like just read it

Great series

I learned more Jewish history and bible context in 12 hours than in years and years of church attendance. Great course!

Spellbinding

Would you listen to The Dead Sea Scrolls again? Why?

I have listened to it at least three times, and many chapters more times than that.

What did you like best about this story?

Knowledgeable instructor who is truly excited by his field.

Have you listened to any of Professor Gary A. Rendsburg’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

They are all excellent, but this is my hands down favorite audible book of all time.

Any additional comments?

He truly conveys the excitement of this find as well as enumerating the facts and figures. But at the end of a lecture, he will say, "and tomorrow, we enter cave four...", the live audience applauds, and I sigh as I put the car back in gear to find somewhere else to drive, of real or imaginary significance.

the author is truly passionate about the subject!

I liked the extra info and little tidbits thrown in. the author reads very passionately- more like lecture than reading, which is refreshing. he appears to be learned in linguistics and geography and brings you into the location where the scrolls were found.

Excellent, but why the clapping??

This was an excellent intro to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Gary Rendsburg seems suitably qualified for this subject, and speaks very articulately. His lectures were detailed and balanced.

But, it loses one star for the canned applause at the beginning and end of each lecture and for not being able to share clips. Is it petty to take off a star for fake applause? Absolutely, about as petty as putting it on there.

The Dead Sea Scrolls

Very good and extremely interesting course. I will probably listen to it a second time. Like all the Great Courses series I have listened to the Dead Sea Scryolls lectures r