DEAD SEA SCROLLS DECEPTION

Rating:
Summary: A differnt point of view.....
Review: Should items of historical importance be made available for study by all scholars despite their world views or political philosophies, or should scholars privileged to study historical artifacts be selected by a committee of "recognized experts"? If the latter is so, how do recognized experts become expert, and how is the governing committee that anoints the would-be scholars chosen from amongst these experts?

The dirty little secret of academic research is that power struggles over money, influence, and interpretation take place among power brokers with an agenda. Unfortunately, government and religious organizations are not immune from influence peddling and frequently have compelling reasons for attempting to control science and journalism. Even in the United States, scholarly committees and subcommittees have at times become pawns of the state.

BBC journalists Michael Baigent and Richard Leigh, who wrote HOLY BLOOD HOLY GRAIL, wrote THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS DECEPTION about 15 years ago. While some of the issues they examined and exposed in their latter book have been more or less resolved, other issues remain. In all likelihood, the book acted as a catalyst affecting the release of vital information about the historical scrolls discovered more than 60 years ago at Qumran (around the time of the discovery of the Nag Hammadi scrolls in Egypt). Baigent and Leigh suggest that while the Nag Hammadi scrolls have been examined, studied, and interpreted by an International host of scholars from differing backgrounds, in contrast, a committee of religious scholars blocked objective study and interpretation of the Dead Sea scrolls for almost 50 years.

The authors disagree with the interpretation offered by the self appointed committee that controlled access to the Dead Sea Scrolls. In contrast with the committee, Baigent and Leigh contend that the material found at Qumran does not predate, but includes the period when Jesus is supposed to have lived. Secondly, they suggest Jesus and his brother James the 'Righteous' may have been a members of this community, which had close ties with the Jewish Zealots who perished at Masada. Thirdly, the authors suggest the Qumran group was not a hermit male religious order, but was comprised of men, women and children. Fourth, the authors suggest Paul may have been a member of the group for a short while and may turned on it to promote his own brand of religion. Fifth, the authors contend the Nozrei ha brit (keepers of the covenant) or Nozrim (Zealot-Essene-Nazorean) sect sought to uphold the law, not to overturn it (Matthew 5:17-20). The group was diametrically opposed to the Jewish party in league with the Romans.

I enjoyed the book immensely because I have long been troubled by some aspects of Jesus reported behavior (overturning the tables of the money changers in the temple) and words (swords, enmity between relatives, etc.) and statements about the law. The authors have assembled a prodigious amount of information to support their claims (writings of Josephus and other 'Romans' as well as archeological material are included).

Rating:
Summary: for the gullible and simple-minded
Review: Since this book has been published the entirety of the DSS has been published, with the exception of some non-religious scrolls, which are nevertheless readily available to anyone curious. If you want to see what the hubbub is about, check out Vermes' _Complete Dead Sea Scrolls in English_. Not exactly controversial stuff, since almost all the scrolls date before Christ.

It's amazing that people still want to believe the Vatican was involved in some kind of cover-up, and the authors will distort facts or lie to make it look like lots of Catholics were in on the DSS research, or that much of the research was done under the "watchful eye" of the Vatican. How sad that people want to believe this but don't look at the scrolls themselves, which have nothing to do with Christianity, as any responsible scholar will tell you.

Rating:
Summary: Three and Three Quarters.
Review: So let's not be too finicky but I just couldn't will myself to give this book four stars.
I seem to remember back in the(I think it was early eighties) a large brouhaha surrounding the Dead Sea Scrolls. I never knew exactly what all the fuss was about until I read this book.
Baigant and Leigh have again written a tome in which their extensive research on the subject is self-evident. They give a lot in fact almost too much background information on the Dead Sea Scroll's discovery and subsequent custody issues.
This book is very informative, as mentioned but and here's where I couldn't give it four stars it lacks the zing that Holy Blood Holy Grail had. Is it fair to give a book less stars because an earlier work was so completely damp (as opposed to "Deception's relative dryness). Maybe maybe not, but authors are constantly being measured against their own accomplishments and works and in this case these two unfortunately are a little wanting.
Finally to finish on positive note, this book is well written very informative, and has some excellent photo sections for those interested in learning about the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Rating:
Summary: AGENDAS HAVE AGENDAS
Review: The alleged agenda and conspiracy of the International Team (all but one Roman Catholics) may in all likelihood be true. History is written, and critics silenced, often mercilessly, by the winners, Pauline Christianity included. One is struck by the reluctance, if not outright refusal, of the Israeli Government to cooperate in dissemination of the material. Final world-wide availability of the photographs of the scrolls and fragments was met not only by the vehement opposition of the International Team (understandably) but by the Israeli Government as well. Why ? Perhaps in some later work. And what of future document discoveries along the Jordan Rift Valley ? Will they in turn be subject to the same foot dragging by the Israeli government ? Perhaps in some later work.

Rating:
Summary: Very Well Written.
Review: The authors have produced a very good book. The writing is clear and crisp, and covers all aspects of the Dead Sea Scrolls, and how much of the research concerning them has been mismanaged in the past. The detail is rich, and the authors clearly and efficiently provide evidence for their arguments. It was an excellent read, and definitely opened my eyes to the Dead Scrolls and their significance.

Rating:
Summary: Worth reading, but the authors clearly have an agenda
Review: The book does give a really interesting account of the history of finding the dead sea scrolls. It undoubtedly describes some extremely dubious scholarly practices by those who held onto the scrolls for 40 or more years and published very little. I do get the feeling, however, that other writers might have taken the same facts and produced a book with far less sensastionalism. Read the book -- it is interesting -- but I'd be cautious about how hard I jumped onto this particular bandwagon.

Rating:
Summary: Fun & Interesting...But Probably Paranoid
Review: The truth in this book is this: the Catholic Church really did try to keep these documents from being published. And, as far as that goes, the authors do have some interesting and informative things to say. It's better written than many of the more "scholarly" histories of the scrolls. It definitely will hold your attention and teach you a few things you didn't know before.

The problem, however---if you want to call it that---is that most of the rest of the book is a somewhat tangential "who murdered J.F.K." kind of exposition. Not than I'm necessarily opposed to that kind of thing. I mean, I certainly don't think Oswald wasn't part of some larger scheme of events. Nor do I think all paranoia is a bad thing. But it is, after all...paranoia. And the authors here have taken it to the hilt. Still, with that understanding, this book is worth taking a look at. Why? Because it asks a number of questions about the origins of Chritianity which very much need to be asked. The answers they provide, while most likely *not* all that accurate, are nevertheless representative of a legitimate trend in contemporary New Testament scholarship. Like J.F.K., it's also representative of the kinds of ideas people will develop when large political/religious organizations withhold the truth from the public at large.

When this book was published, Robert Eisenman's "James, The Brother Of Jesus" was not yet published. So, I had the darndest time tracking down anything he had written. Fortunately, I was working on a university campus at the time, so I finally was able to locate a couple of manuscripts in one of the graduate school libraries. It's hard to say what I think about Eisenman. I think his conclusions are probably wrong. And yet, his understanding of the type of thing that was going on in Jerusalem just before and after the death of Jesus is probably a close approximation of the truth. The authors of "Dead Sea Scrolls Deception" place a lot of weight on Eisenman, which leads them to some of their more unique and rather simplistic views of (for example) just what "Damascus" Paul was heading for when he had his well-known vision. Regardless, I still think this is interesting stuff...and, even if 100% wrong, a book you probably still should read.

I hope I'm not confusing you too much in trying to delineate why I think this is an interesting (even fun!) book. Like many things in life, there still is much to learn from individuals you disagree with. Maybe it will provoke you into asking certain questions of your own. If so, then you've spent your money well.

Rating:
Summary: Shocking truths revealed???
Review: This book is a good work of fiction. However, that's all it is. Where should I start sinking this ship? First, anyone unfamilar with the struggle for control of the Dead Sea Scrolls might be conviced by Baigent and Leigh's thesis. However, it is garbage. they claim that John Allegro was cowed into submission by the Catholic Church, when in fact it was his poor understanding of his scrolls that cowed him as he was criticised by catholic, protestant, and jew alike. Next, they base a large part of their thesis on Robert Eisenman. Dispite the fact that most scholars consider Eisenman to be way off base, they treat his work as truth, and claim he is being surpressed by the Vatican. Interestingly, this victim of conspiracy has his books published by none other than Tipographia Gregoriana, which is one of the Vatican's own book publishers. Not very good at conspiracies are these catholics. After 2000 years you would think that they would have a little more sense about keeping secrets. The final nail in this book is the fact that, though much of the scholarship on the Scrolls has been done by men affiliated with french catholic organizations, the scrolls were, in 1991, returned to the Israelis. So here is question to ask yourself when you finish this book: Why would Jews be involved in a conspiracy to protect the doctrine of the Catholic church? If you can answer that question E-mail me and I will make you rich.

Rating:
Summary: Religious/Political Insight
Review: This book is not for everyone, as the previous article reviewers show. But for those who are Not Afraid to Consciously Admit that There Is an immensely-powerful & ages-old "Conspiracy" on this planet, which can Only be Explained in Religious/Spiritual/Political Terms; This Book is absolutely one of the Very Best available anywhere. This Book is Among the Very Few Books near the Top of my all-time Favorites.

From this book, I was brought to a very modernly Complete Comprenhension of "Masada", the very high Plateau/Fortress East of Jerusalem, & from which the Heroic Judo/Christian/Israelites Valiantly Fought the Very Last Remnants of Romanistic Despotism. Do a goggle-search on "Masada", you will see its significance.

The message of great importance from this book; concerns the under-lying Character of "First Century Christians". Because it clearly establishes Links between Early Christianity & the mystical "Essenes"; "New Agers", Vegetarians, & Tree-Huggers will find profound Reason to Love this Book.

But the real mother-load of spiritually explosive information is revealed in the detailed analysis of the Scrolls, which in turn leads inexorably to the Conclusion that "Zealots" were inter-twined with these Essenes; & that the Zealots were Followers of Christ/Messiah-Jesus/Yeshua, who almost positively Had to be a similarly believing "Zealot"; All of whom were Fervently Devoted to Establishing the "Kingdom of Yhvh" on This Earth; Then & There. And these True "First Century Christians" were obviously Sufficiently Devoted to that end, to "Take Up Arms" Against their Romanist Aggressively-Warring/Trespasser Overlord-Oppressors. Readers who are sufficiently Angry at the present Coercively-Imposed Governmental Structures of the planet, & who also are looking for Theological "Justification" for Armed Resistance to Tyranny; will find No Better Source than this text. It is priceless.

Protestant & Catholic Christians, as well as Rabbinical-Jews, who have Pre-Conceived Notions which are Aligned with Traditional Interpretations of their Revered Texts, will find this book very un-settling. And the worst news is reserved for the Leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, for it is at Their Hand that the Profound Messages of the Scrolls have Maliciously been Kept Away from Public Assimilation. And mind-bogglingly Problematic for the bigger-picture, is that this Very Same "Romanist" Organic Body-Politic as Crucified Jesus/Yeshuah & Murdered Many of the Last of his Faithful Followers in the Jerusalem Area; are the Very Same Organic 2000 Year-Old Body-Politic Entity which used Nazi-Style Coercive Force, Multiple Murders & Assassinations; to Conceal the Scrolls form Modern Seekers of Truth, Justice, & Peace, on this Earth.

Baigant & Leigh are accomplished researchers; who have written earth-shaking texts previously; including their profound "Holy Blood, Holy Grail". The here-in reviewed "Deception" book has many glossy pictures which show insightful details of the surrounding area in question; & the archives & libraries in which the original Scroll Research was accomplished. Their documentation is thorough. They do not state their conclusions so boldly as I do here; but my words are fully justified there-by; imho.

Rating:
Summary: The battle for the scrolls...
Review: This book, written in the early 1990s, had much more punch when it was first written. The Dead Sea Scrolls were still essentially under lock-and-key, accessible as a whole only to a few selected scholars who were selected by unclear and seemingly biased methods - that bias often being misconstrued as the dictates of the Roman Catholic Church. History has proven something rather different going on, but reading this book is still a good study of what can happen in even the most banal and esoteric of endeavours when secrecy and restricted access to information is the norm.

The Dead Sea Scrolls is a name given to a general collection of scrolls found in the area of Qumran, in the desert near the Dead Sea in the West Bank of the Jordan River. The first scrolls from this region were found in 1947/48. Many more scrolls have been found since then (and there may be some still missing, or hidden, by various regional authorities and antiquities dealers and collectors), including some in areas as far away as the British Museum (manuscripts collected from a Cairo genizah 50 years earlier were later found to match the scrolls).

Part of the politics of around the scrolls, which always featured into their saga, was that, while they were primary early Jewish texts (the Hebrew Bible, additional psalms, community writings of early sects of Judaism, etc.), the scrolls were found in what was then Arab territory by Arab traders and bedouins. The fragile state of Israeli/Palestinian/Jordanian politics always factored into the scrolls' fate; the scrolls came under control first of the Orthodox (Christian) leaders in East Jerusalem (then in Arab control), then later as scholars were sought under general Western academic supervision. It just so happened that many of the noted scholars in ancient Hebrew manuscripts (apart from Jewish scholars, who were prevented from participating) came from the ranks of the churches and seminaries, particularly the Roman Catholic Church.

This is where the seeds of mistrust and division were sown. For decades, the scrolls had to be reconstructed, as many of them were in fragmentary condition. Like a giant jigsaw puzzle with pieces missing, the pieces had to be reassembled as best they could be. This takes much longer than one might think - in the pre-computer days, without electronic assistance for cataloguing and matching, things had to be done manually, with cards, files, and photographs. It is true that many of the larger, in-tact scrolls were published early. But as time dragged on, it seemed somewhat as if there was a deliberate with-holding of information.

Baigent and Leigh trace the history of the scrolls and the history of the ideas of deception and restriction around the scrolls. Unfortunately, the issues are a bit overblown at times, to make the book more sensational. The feeling of 'they're hiding something' was certainly very real, and scholars, church leaders and the general public were clamouring for more access to the scrolls, if only to prove that there was not something vastly damaging to the church being hidden. Ideas were floated wildly speculating that there were writings that showed Jesus was never crucified, or somehow didn't die, that he had children and they continued a 'royal' line (it doesn't hurt to remember here that Baigent and Leigh co-authored the book, 'Holy Blood, Holy Grail', that attempted to trace the origins of the legends of the Holy Grail to the descendents of Jesus and his family). The idea was also given that the Roman Catholic scholars, at the instruction of the Vatican, were suppressing these damaging writings. This of course leaves aside the fact that there were non-catholics as part of the International Team, but that became problematic in and of itself, as the one avowed atheist, John Allegro, published scroll findings for which his published later had to issue retractions and apologies.

After the 1967 war, Jewish scholars gained access on a more equal footing with the European (mostly Christian) academics, but the general access was still restricted. Conspiracy theories grew.

Alas, history is sometimes far more mundane than one might hope - it wasn't vast conspiracies of keeping damaging texts hidden that was driving the restricted access, but largely academic politics and careerism of a rather common stamp (despite the fact that they were working with world-famous materials). When it became apparent that particular scholars (who were, along the way, assigned and given 'authority' over particular sub-sets of the scrolls) were keeping access so as to have first publication rights, and were treating these assignments as personal goods to be passed along to successors of their own choosing, this is when things really came to a head.

Complete copies of the scrolls had been made and deposited in other places around the world (given the general insecurity of the Middle East, which meant that a war could destroy them quite easily), but stringent security measures guarding access to these copies were put in place, and rigourous controls over who could use them meant that the scrolls were still hidden. However, the computer age made assembling large compendia of data fairly easy - such cataloguing of scrolls and scroll-bits was available, along with word and letter studies, and computers made it a task of weeks rather than decades to reconstruct the entire set of the scrolls. Once this was done, and then distributed (without permission), while the scroll team kicked up a fuss, the genie was out of the bottle, and the Huntington Library in California, one of the depositories of the copies, made them generally available. It is now more than 10 years after the scrolls have been freed, so some material is a little out of date.

Baigent and Leigh's work here gives the most sensational of conspiratorial leanings, while eventually coming down to the mundane side of things. They add an overview of the scrolls' content and interpretations, too, making this interesting both from the standpoint of the scrolls as well as history of the scroll battle.