The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Jewish Origins of Christianity

Rating:
Summary: A Waste of Precious Time and Money
Review: Thiede's book is a waste of time. It adds nothing new to the analysis of the origins of Christianity. The Dead Sea Sect and the Jesus Movement were two reactions to the Roman conquest of Ancient Israel, both dependent on Jewish roots, both sensing apocalypse. While there are similarities between the movements, the important fact is that one failed and was eliminated, while the other succeeded.

Rating:
Summary: Helpful for Laypeople
Review: This book provides valuable information for laypeople who want to understand the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in relation to Christian history. It gets pretty technical in parts, but the author's conclusions are clearly stated. The most important thesis he sets forth concerns the possiblity that there are fragments of the gospel of Mark and I Timothy among the Qumran scrolls. If this is true, then it is a clear indication that the New Testament literature was around earlier than many believe, for the community was destroyed in A.D. 68. I also like the way Thiede addresses, although through brief asides, some of the more outlandish theories about the Dead Sea Scrolls, obviously alluding to the "Holy Blood Holy Grail" genre of books. He also demolishes the popular bromide that the New Testament is "antisemitic."

Rating:
Summary: Helpful for Laypeople
Review: This book provides valuable information for laypeople who want to understand the significance of the Dead Sea Scrolls in relation to Christian history. It gets pretty technical in parts, but the author's conclusions are clearly stated. The most important thesis he sets forth concerns the possiblity that there are fragments of the gospel of Mark and I Timothy among the Qumran scrolls. If this is true, then it is a clear indication that the New Testament literature was around earlier than many believe, for the community was destroyed in A.D. 68. I also like the way Thiede addresses, although through brief asides, some of the more outlandish theories about the Dead Sea Scrolls, obviously alluding to the "Holy Blood Holy Grail" genre of books. He also demolishes the popular bromide that the New Testament is "antisemitic."