Randall Price’s book is a valuable new addition to scroll research for a number of reasons: It is evangelical, current, and was produced with much of the research done on site in Israel. It is one of those books that makes you feel you are really in touch with the situation.
It contains a chapter on politics and the scrolls and lets the reader in on new scrolls and new scroll discoveries through 1996.
Price also looks at the ways in which cults misuse the Dead Sea Scrolls to promote spurious doctrine. This occurs within Mormonism, New Age teaching and through the teachings of Edgar Cayce and Edgar Szekely.
Price also refutes the sensationalists, including Texe Marrs, Vendyl Jones, Barbara Thiering and Robert Eisenman.
If one has some acquaintance with the background of the Dead Sea Scrolls the chapters can be read in the order of interest not necessarily in sequence. Included are a glossary of terms and 20 pages of chronology which makes the content available to even a novice on the subject.
The biblical analysis of the Scroll Communities theology and theological system is insightful and helpful. Price is perceptive in showing its sharp differences with Christianity. The charts, maps, and pictures are extremely helpful.
Price states the purpose of the book in the Preface: “My purpose in writing this book is to help to remove the popular mystique that has surrounded the Scrolls and, in as nontechnical a way as possible, reveal their significance for us today.” He succeeds admirably.
There is a huge amount of material here for the money. There
is also a large detailed index that makes instant retrieval of
material possible. This book delivers. It should be a welcome
addition to any Christian’s library.
—GRF
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