I listened to this a long time ago, but one thing I remembered was his brief mention of some of the liberal scholars who claimed really late dates for various biblical books. But pieces of copies those books were found among the dead sea scrolls, and they had much earlier dates then then what these scholars confidently proclaimed. What I liked about this is it shows these stuck up, prideful scholars who love to tear apart the bible and make all these bold assertions, may not be on as firm ground [...]

This is a very rudimentary introduction to the Dead Sea Scrolls. I was a little disappointed. Too much time and effort spent refuting crackpot ideas about what the scrolls are and not enough detail on what they actually are and what they tell us. At the conclusion of the final lecture, Schiffman calls for a deeper analysis of the scrolls--the things he calls for were what I was hoping to hear in this lecture series. Apparently the field is too young--it's only been in the past couple of decades [...]

These lecture are bit boring and the presenters lacks the skills to attract listener and the contents of lectures only give a brief intro about the scroll and spend most of the lecture trying to refute rumors about the scroll and nonsense clams. And he clams that his view about what in the scrolls are the only sensible one so in other word its lacks objectivity

Dr Schiffman talks animated about all matters of faith and history. In the last few lectures, he talked so fast to get as much information as possible in the 30 minutes, I focused on his efforts more than on the content. I even listened to chapter 10 twice, the Messianic explanation remains a mystery. To me.To read this book right after "Vision of Utopia: philosophy and the perfect society," by Professor Baumann, made for one connection: The perfect society so desired by people throughout the ce [...]

I wasn't familiar with the Modern Scholars series, so I wasn't sure how legit it was. Which I think, based on the last chapter/lecture in this series, Prof. Schiffman would amusedly appreciate (because there are a lot of people who've used the Dead Sea Scrolls to promote some rather untrue things.)What Schiffman outlines is done in an interesting and accessible way. It's about how this particular sect - what is known, not known, and best guesses. How the Dead Sea Scrolls have nothing to do with [...]

Fourteen lectures about the Dead Sea Scrolls by a professor who has been actively researching in this field for many years. He is passionate about the subject and has interesting theories and suggestions regarding many topics, but, unlike some other Modern Scholar lecturers, Lawrence H. Schiffman always takes care mentioning competing theories instead of stating his own position wrapped into "it is obvious that" or "as everybody knows".

A very mainstream, balanced, and informative look at the Dead Sea Scrolls that not only deals with the hype and conspiracy theories surrounding them, but explains them in the context of the Jewish milieu in which they emerged in the 1st and 2nd century BCE. If you want to become generally informed and conversant in the Dead Sea Scrolls, this is a great place to start.

This was not what I was expecting. I was turned off at the beginning when the author used "BCE" and "CE" rather than "BC" and "AD" referring to time periods. It went downhill from there. I have to admit, I didn't finish it, or even get half way. I felt he was just opinionated rather than informative. Of course, maybe this review is the same (ha ha).

I loved it but you feel left with wanting to hear the other side.

I had to do some searching to get caught up on Jewish history, but good info.

Not what I expected. Too much academic rhetoric about what it is not, mostly it is pre christian / not catholic - but I think most everyone knows that