ncramer@bbn.com (Nichael Cramer) (11/17/89)
In today's "Boston Globe" there was tantalizing but mostly content-free article about some raging controversy surrounding the remaining unpublished Dead Sea Scrolls. Reference was also made to an on-going series of editorials in _Biblical Archeology Review_. Does anyone know what all this is about? Thanks NICHAEL
hall@vice.ico.tek.com (Hal Lillywhite) (11/20/89)
In article <Nov.17.03.49.32.1989.1755@athos.rutgers.edu> ncramer@bbn.com (Nichael Cramer) writes: > > >In today's "Boston Globe" there was tantalizing but mostly content-free >article about some raging controversy surrounding the remaining unpublished >Dead Sea Scrolls. Reference was also made to an on-going series of >editorials in _Biblical Archeology Review_. > >Does anyone know what all this is about? I haven't read the Globe article (It's not sold on the street corners here in Oregon :-)) but maybe the controversy is over the very fact that they are not published. I have picked up from going to a couple of lectures by Wilford Griggs and reading some things (primarily by Hugh Nibley) that some people seem to be failing to publish as promised in this area. Apparently the scrolls were divided among scholars in several countries. Each was supposed to do his research on what his portion contained and publish the results. Seems like there may have even been an agreed upon publication date although my memory is hazy on that point. Anyway, many of these scholars have failed to meet expectations. Nibley commented something to the effect that if the current publication rate continues we will be seeing "new" scrolls well into the next century (remember, they were discovered in the middle of this one). Part of the problem is apparently politics. I gather that some of the countries and cultures where these scholars reside are likely to be upset by the contents of the scrolls so they don't dare publish. If any suscribers to this newsgroup live where you can talk to a knowledgeable scholar I (and I'm sure others) would apreciate it if you would post his/her comments.
mls@attunix.att.com (Mike Siemon) (11/20/89)
In article <Nov.17.03.49.32.1989.1755@athos.rutgers.edu>, ncramer@bbn.com (Nichael Cramer) writes: > article about some raging controversy surrounding the remaining unpublished > Dead Sea Scrolls. Reference was also made to an on-going series of > editorials in _Biblical Archeology Review_. I don't read _BAR_, but the fooferaw is mostly a complaint by scholars with no access to the scrolls that publication is 1. excessively slow (compared, for example, with Nag Hammadi) 2. access to materials is denied to all but the students of the editors (in some cases), thereby effectively doing an academic power play, to the major disruption of scholarship 3. some publication delays are charged to be because the texts undermine long-held positions (academic or religious) of the editors. The editors' response amounts to - dammit, this is hard work to do right; stop noodging. It should be obvious that there is potential here for major flammage on all sides. I am unqualified to venture any substantive opinion on this. -- Michael L. Siemon Inflict Thy promises with each cucard!dasys1!mls Occasion of distress, att!sfbat!mls That from our incoherence we standard disclaimer May learn to put our trust in Thee