Dead Sea Scrolls

Yesterday Scott, my sister, and I went with other members of our church to see the Dead Sea Scrolls at the Discovery Place in Charlotte. I certainly would not have hopped a plane to see the scrolls, but an hour and a half drive wasn’t bad. The fact we went as a group was even better because I probably wouldn't have taken the initiative to go otherwise.

There are ten scrolls, three replicas and a replica of the copper scroll on display at Discovery Place until May 29th. What I found fascinating is not only how tiny the actual scrolls are, but also how tiny the writing on them is. The fact the scribes used oil lamps and did not have glasses amazes me they could write so small. The entire experience was very educational and I encourage anyone who is interested to go.

I found it interesting to find out when the scrolls were discovered in the late 1940's, early 1950's, researchers were using a "new" material called Scotch tape to put pieces of scrolls back together which caused further damage. Whoops.

In case you haven't heard, the National Geographic Society announced this week the discovery of Gospel of Judas. This is the only copy of this religious text known to exist. All other copies were destroyed because early church leaders considered them heretical. A 2-hour special was aired on the National Geographic Channel tonight concerning the discovery. It will probably be rebroadcast.


Edit: After reading the May issue of National Geographic and finding out more about the Gnostics, Nag Hammadi texts, and Irenaeus, this discovery, although significant to some religious scholars, is not as earth shattering as it was hyped to be.