A provocative new version of the mystery of the Dead Sea Scrolls: the revolutionary rage and passionate belief that led to their creation and the conspiracy of scholars who have tried to suppress their message. "(Silerman's) depiction of the interplay between ancient history and its manipulation by nations, quacks, and petty academics is terrific".--Kirkus Reviews.

In this book, two of the world's leading experts on the scrolls reveal the complete and fascinating story in all its detail: the amazing discovery, the intense controversies, and the significant revelations. This comprehensive, up-to-date guide is the def

This volume of The Dead Sea Scrolls includes the Rule of the Community and other related documents. The Princeton Dead Sea Scrolls Project provides a major landmark in general access to these documents. It is the first serious attempt to provide accurate transcriptions and translations with critical commentary to all the nonbiblical scrolls found at Qumran. These are important reference books for specialized studies in biblical fields.

Secret Scrolls is the very first examination of some forty novels in which someone discovers a new gospel. Sometimes it turns out to be a hoax; will it be debunked before it can work its mischief? If it proves genuine, will it be brought to light? Or will corrupt church officials manage to prevent it? The book evaluates what each author has to say about historical Jesus scholarship or New Testament research in general. Sometimes the authors have done their homework; other times they haven't bothered, and they wind up dishing up crazy rewrites of history and outlandish theories. These novels deal with abiding issues of faith, even without some new discovery. As soon as one engages in biblical apologetics, one has stepped onto the marshy ground of probabilistic arguments, an entirely different epistemology that automatically replaces simple faith. And so one comes to hold one's religious convictions more tentatively, having become genuinely vulnerable to new evidence. One may not remain a believer for long. On the other hand, one invites fanaticism if one's faith is dangerously predicated on the assurance that no new discovery will send one back to the drawing board. Secret Scrolls assesses what each author imagines it would take to derail and debunk Christianity. How mighty a blow must be dealt before the religion would fall? Dan Brown's notion that a married Jesus would debunk the Nicene Creed is laughable. As Wilbert Francis Howard once argued in his brief and fascinating history of New Testament research, there is a genuine "romance of New Testament scholarship," and many of us are delighted to have the adventure continue in the speculative imaginations of capable novelists. These books can both entertain and educate, and so will Secret Scrolls.

The underlying premise of this study is the close relationship between Pesher Nahum (4Q169) and its biblical base-text. Historical and literary considerations, as well as theological, sociological, halakhic, textual, and linguistic data, are examined in terms of their exegetical functions. This edition includes a transcription and translation of 4QpNah, with textual notes. The treatment of 4QpNah follows the natural division of the extant text into five thematic literary sections, or “pericopes,” each consisting of a series of “lemma/pesher units”. For each pericope, proposed historical contextualizations are evaluated on the basis of exegetical criteria. “Equivalents” are “mapped” for each unit, such that individual elements of each lemma are aligned with corresponding elements from the biblical base-text. A focus upon “lemma/pesher correspondence” provides the framework for systematic exegetical analysis of 4QpNah.

What if you had the seven most powerful ideas in the world? For a thousand years rumors spread among the desert peoples that mysterious scrolls containing fantastic secrets had fashioned the Abdali-ud-din into the richest, most powerful trading dynasty in the world. Men would kill for such knowledge. Indeed, they had killed. And then suddenly, the scrolls simply disappeared. This is the story of the last holder of the scrolls, an old chief named Zafir. Worried that his life was nearly spent, Zafir chose young Bassam to be his heir to the scrolls. Was Bassam ready? To prove the young man Zafir took him on a long caravan trek with the intent of teaching him the scrolls. Partway into the trip came a deadly surprise. Things changed. The hidden messages of the scrolls are timeless. The same secrets that gave such riches to the dynasties of old are just as potent today. Learn these cryptic mysteries that Zafir passed to Bassam, and Bassam to his beloved Rasha, and be delightfully surprised how the Seven Secret Scrolls may guide all who possess them on a pleasant journey toward peace and prosperity. Reviews Paul Skousen shows us he has the gifts of descriptive metaphors and modifiers of all kinds. He makes Bassam and the Seven Secret Scrolls so interesting, so down to earth, that a book one may never have considered reading becomes one which changes one’s soul. —Michael J. Thompson—AML This is a beautifully written story given to us as if it was a tale only the most esteemed sages, descendants of eons past, have deemed us worthy enough to pass it on to. Every word commands our attention as not a single one is to be missed or we may lose the meaning of the entire book. The excerpt has an ancient feel to it that leads me to imagine reading it by oil lamp in one of the caves described in the story. A mystery almost as vexing if not more than the one the author has written. I felt the excerpt to be one with almost magical powers. —ABNA Manuscript Excerpt Review

In the enchanting kingdom of Veridia, where the echoes of rebellion and liberation reverberate through its very core, a young princess discovers the extraordinary power that lies dormant within her. "The Rebel Princess" is an exhilarating young adult fantasy that follows the journey of Elysara, a princess who defies fate and challenges the oppressive forces that seek to control her destiny. Elysara, burdened by the weight of her royal title, yearns for a life beyond the constraints of the palace walls. Little does she know that she possesses a secret power, a power that could change the fate of Veridia forever. As she unravels the truth behind her heritage, she embarks on a royal rebellion, gathering allies and unveiling the hidden truths that have been concealed for generations. With her loyal companions by her side, Elysara explores the mysterious Forbidden Forest, where ancient whispers hold the key to unlocking her true potential. Along the way, she encounters shadows of betrayal, faces the trials of an underground kingdom, and uncovers the secrets hidden within the sacred ancient scrolls. As the battle for freedom intensifies, Elysara discovers an enchanted amulet that holds the key to her destiny. With each step, she defies the predetermined path laid out for her, forging her own identity and embracing her true self. But in her pursuit of liberation, she must confront the darkness that threatens to consume Veridia, testing her strength, courage, and loyalty to the limits. In a final, heart-pounding showdown, Elysara's choices and sacrifices will determine the future of Veridia. Will she emerge as a beacon of hope, inspiring her people to rise against oppression? Or will the forces of darkness succeed in their quest to reclaim the kingdom? "The Rebel Princess" is a captivating young adult fantasy that delves into themes of self-discovery, courage, and the power of individuality. Filled with enchantment, adventure, and the enduring spirit of rebellion, this tale will transport readers to a world where destiny is challenged, friendships are forged, and the true meaning of freedom is unveiled. Join Elysara on her epic journey and experience the triumph of the rebel princess firsthand.