Was wondering what your comments would be on the reasoning for the dead sea scrolls to NOT be published. I have learned that both jewish and catholic's alike that have been able to see them have been sworn to not tell of what they say, other than the scrolls that almost perfectly match most of the books of the Old testament.

Would it be that by not letting the information out discredit both religious beliefs? Seeing a catholic and jew together on something is quite intriguing dont you think? Obviously it would be a kick in the face to both if for the jew, there was testamony of the messiah in them and for the catholic, that there was testamony of them not being the first church.

What are your thoughts?

thanks, Paul

-- paul (paul2332wims@yahoo.com), February 26, 2002

Answers

My thoughts are, if the DS scrolls have some hook that a nut wanting to start his own religion likes, it'll cause yet more schizms and frictions. Our Church is trustworthy and isn't going to keep something secret and safe without good reason. If there's something in the DS scrolls that's diametrcally opposed to canonical scripture, then that's that. It's either forged, or simply not inspired by the Holy Spirit.

-- Jeffrey Zimmerman (jeffreyz@seminarianthoughts.com), February 27, 2002.

Paul

From what I have read the studies on the scrolls were not only in the Hands of the Catholics alone, but by a non-chatholic too. The SCrolls are actually property of the Jews and they allowed the Christians a small amount of the scrolls to be studied by us and even that study was badly botched for years by the gentleman in charge with the original study. It was deemed that what is known has not and will not change the present knowledge in any way. That is all I can say at this point as it was some time ago that I read of this situation.

-- Fred Bishop (fcbishop@globaleyes.net), February 27, 2002.

This appears to be a fairly scholarly site on the subject of the Scrolls. You may be able to find the answers to your questions there.
[I too remember hearing that there is little or no chance that anything can still come to light that would surprise or embarrass anyone who is either Jewish or Christian.]
JFG

-- (jfgecik@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

The scrolls are indeed the property of the Jewish people although four seperate groups have access to them and then only partial segments due to age factors etc..

A wonderful book titled " The Body " is a great read to show the " issues " of many factors in knowing the truth.

-- Jean Bouchard (jeanb@cwk.imag.net), February 28, 2002.

Well, Jean, long time no see!! What is it one year, two years? You suddelny disappeared from the forum and now you're back. Welcome, and let's hope this time it is for good.

Enrique

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), March 01, 2002.