Ancient Library of Qumran - Dr. Frank Cross

This is an older book, published 1958. Sometimes older is better. Lots of books have been written about the Dead Sea Scrolls. But Frank Moore Cross, Jr. is one of the best. He is willing to connect these scrolls with the Bible, both Old and New Testaments. He understands the Bible, both as a witness for archaeology and also as a statement of God's witness to his people.

What I truly love about this book is that he is willing to give opinions, and of course then defend them convincingly. So many people want to say "No one knows." etc. He tells us that the sectarian commentaries are using prophets, such as Habakkuk to refer to specific people existing at that time. They are not allegorical, they they are allusions. If you have read at all about this you have heard about the Teacher of Righteousness. He did really exist, probably one of the founders of the Essenes. But the monikers of the Wicked Priest, Wrathful Lion, the Prince of Darkness, and more, these all refer to actual living people, most of whom are know from the books of the Maccabees. The Essenes saw them differently than the Maccabees did. The Essenes felt these men were perverting the truth, taking power upon themselves that they should not have and compromising with the gentile rulers. Anyway I find this very enlightening. Even of some of his opinions might be wrong, like I said at least he is giving us a place to start rather than refusing to risk being wrong. Cross was a giant in the field.

In the last few chapters he discusses how the Essenes and the early church were very similar in political structure and in some beliefs. The early church and the Essenes both believed in a quick return of the Messiah. They both believed in sharing things in common. Both had a high view of baptism. Of course there were many differences. But again I think he makes a good case for the Essene movement having a large influence on the early Jewish Christian church.

I find it fascinating too that he feels several of Jesus' teaching may be addressing bad things in the Essene movement, as Jesus knew many of his followers prized this group. For example Jesus spoke several times about not being concerned for rank and positions. The Essenes were very concerned with rank and authority in their organization. Jesus wanted his followers to not be like this. In some places Jesus spoke specifically of Pharisees but in other times, like when James and John asked to have the positions at his left and right, it was not about the Pharisees at all. He could have been criticizing the Essene proclivities.

Anyway, it is a good book, I recommend it.