The Dead Sea Scrolls: Their History, Controversy and Contents.
This paper will discuss the history and the content of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and their implications for our understanding of Judaism in the first century of our era. It will be argued that only through a close analysis of the conflicting controversies over the Scrolls and their interpretations can we come to any real comprehension of their importance. As will be seen, while the contents of the Scrolls do not radically transform our understanding of the Jewish faith and history, they have allowed us a rare direct glimpse into the lives of the Jewish people - both religious and non-religious - in the first century. 8 pgs. 21 f/c. 7b.
