Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls
The greatest archeological discovery of the 20th century gave the world the Dead Sea Scrolls. As the oldest sacred documents of Judaism, the scrolls have many surprising connections to early Christianity. Biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma and Franciscan University of Steubenville president Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, discuss the history and mysteries of the scrolls, what they reveal about Jesus Christ, the sacraments, and the early Church, and why they matter to believers and non-believers today.
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Seasons & Episodes
1. A Stunning Archeological Find
The archeological find of the 20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls give amazing insights into the world Jesus Christ lived and died in—and into the New Testament, early Church, and the Catholic faith today. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma discuss the fascinating history of this discovery.
2. The Messiah is Coming
The Essene community at Qumran believed in and longed for the coming of a royal Messiah and a priestly Messiah. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma look at the parallels between the Essenes’ interpretation of the Old Testament prophets and what the Gospels tell us of Jesus Christ.
3. Baptism and the Scrolls
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma explore the connections between St. John the Baptist, St. John the Apostle, and the sacrament of baptism in the Dead Sea Scrolls—and how baptism makes each of us a child of God.
4. Eucharist and the Scrolls
Essene life focused on their daily “Thanksgiving” meal. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma explore the Last Supper, the Mass, and the Eucharist in light of what the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us of the Essenes’ sacred meal.
5. Marriage, Celibacy, and the Scrolls
The Essenes, a community of celibate men, held a high view of marriage. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma discuss the Essenes’ practice of celibacy, the Book of Tobit, Jesus’ teachings on celibacy and marriage, and the attack on marriage today.
6. Holy Orders and the Scrolls
Offering sacrifice, mediating the forgiveness of sin, interpreting God’s law: The Dead Sea Scrolls have much to reveal about the role of the priesthood in the Essene community, but also about the priesthood of Jesus and the priesthood now. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma explain Holy Orders as a natural development of Jewish and biblical patterns.
7. St. Paul and the Scrolls
Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma discuss the many interesting connections between the writings of St. Paul and of the Essenes—and what they tell us about works, faith, justification, and why the Church was part of Jesus’ plan from the beginning.
8. Qumran and the Church
The Essenes played an important role in salvation history, even though there were many differences between their teachings and Christianity. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma wrap up their series on Dr. Bergsma’s book, Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity, with a look at the Essenes’ probable influence on the Early Church Fathers and possible influence on Our Lady, and why their scrolls can give us more confidence in Scripture.
