It’s About Time

A couple of years ago – on a trip to Israel and Egypt, I visited the “home” of the Dead Sea Scrolls. There is no doubt that they are very interesting to see. I also had the opportunity to visit the place (more or less) where they were found. Now, they are going to be on GOOGLE. I just can’t imagine how many millions of people are waiting for this event with unparalleled enthusiasm.

Putting the scroll online will give scholars unlimited time with the pieces of parchment and may lead to new hypotheses, (Pnina) Shor said. “This is the ultimate puzzle that people can now rearrange and come up with new interpretations,” she  said. (Associated Press)

I can’t help but wonder what “interpretations” one might come up with if one is allowed to “rearrange” the puzzle to suit their fancy. While I am certainly not a “scholar” I do understand (sorta) what she is saying.

Realistically, however, “rearranging” to “interpret” has been the problem with much of the Church of Jesus Christ since its beginning. Since much (or most) of the Scrolls are probably copies of the Hebrew Bible, we could get a whole new look at what God really intended to say.

Could I get an “Amen” here?