About this course

This course is free because of the generosity of our Vision Partners.

There has been much scholarly investigation into the historical and cultural events which shaped Second Temple Judaism – namely, the world in which Jesus lived and in which the New Testament was written. The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Qumran community depict elements of Judaism that existed before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. which aid in understanding the Second Temple period. In this course, Dr. Dominick S. Hernández engages in a fascinating conversation with Dr. Craig A. Evans, leading New Testament scholar and authority on the Dead Sea Scrolls, to examine the writings, doctrines, and practices of the Qumran community as portrayed in the Dead Sea Scrolls in an attempt to conceptualize the Jewish world into which Jesus came. Together, they survey the cultural, theological, and historical relationships between the Qumran community and the Dead Sea Scrolls with the New Testament.
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Course objectives

After completing this course, you'll be able to:

  • Explain who the Qumran sectarians were, what they believed, how they lived, and their administrative structure.

  • Describe the Qumran sectarians and their influence on Second Temple Judaism.

  • Outline similarities and differences between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament.

  • Responsibly use the Dead Sea Scrolls in the study of the New Testament.

Course outline

    1. About this course

    2. What you will learn

    3. What you need

    4. Instructor

    1. Lesson 1: What Are the Dead Sea Scrolls?

    2. Lesson 2: Archaeology of Qumran, Dating of Manuscripts, and the Historical Setting of the Dead Sea Scrolls

    3. Lesson 3: Theories of Qumran Origins

    4. Unit 1 Quiz

    1. Lesson 1: Who Were the Qumran Sectarians?

    2. Lesson 2: Sectarian Characteristics

    3. Lesson 3: How Did the Sectarians Relate to One Another? Daily Routine and Worship

    4. Lesson 4: The Messiah(s) at Qumran and Second Temple Messianism

    5. Unit 2 Quiz

    1. Lesson 1: Purpose of Studying the Dead Sea Scrolls in Relation to the New Testament and Some Controversial Texts

    2. Lesson 2: Bible and Biblical Commentaries in Qumran

    3. Lesson 3: What Did the Sectarians Write?

    4. Unit 3 Quiz

    1. Lesson 1: Shared Phrases and Motifs between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Gospels

    2. Lesson 2: The Dead Sea Scrolls and the Book of Revelation

    3. Lesson 3: Pauline Literature and the Dead Sea Scrolls - Christological Titles and Terms, and the “Works of the Law”

    4. Lesson 4: The Dead Sea Scroll and the Book of Hebrews

    5. Unit 4 Quiz

The Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament

  • Free
  • 3.5 hours of video content
  • 14 Lessons

Additional course details:

  • Difficulty level: 4

    The learning difficulty for this course is 4 out of 5. It is recommended for advanced students and above.

  • Unlimited access

    You receive unlimited access to the course once you enroll.

  • Certificate of completion

    You automatically receive a certificate of completion once you finish the course.

Instructors

Dr. Dominick S. Hernandez

Dr. Dominick S.Hernandez, PhD, specializes in Semitic Philology. He completed a M.Div. degree at Princeton Theological Seminary and an M.A. at Columbia University. He earned his PhD in Semitic Philology from Israel’s Bar Illan University and currently works as an assistant professor at Moody Bible Institute.

Dr. Craig A. Evans

Dr. Craig A. Evans, PhD, is the John Bisagno Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins and Dean of the School of Christian Thought at Houston Baptist University in Texas. A well-known evangelical scholar throughout the world, he is an elected member of the prestigious SNTS, a society dedicated to New Testament studies and has authored many books and articles on Jesus and the Second Temple Period.

Certificate program

Earn credit towards the Certificate of Biblical History when you complete this course.

View certificate program

What our students are saying

5 star rating

Good Course

Jason Sumner

This course was helpful in explaining the contents and background of the DSS. The balance between the videos and the readings helped to optimize learning. The video format (Q & A Session) was a nice touch.

This course was helpful in explaining the contents and background of the DSS. The balance between the videos and the readings helped to optimize learning. The video format (Q & A Session) was a nice touch.

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5 star rating

Excellent!!!

Zerick Pagan

I’ve learned so much! It should be required as part of the unseen realm certificate course.

I’ve learned so much! It should be required as part of the unseen realm certificate course.

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5 star rating

Fantastic background

Andrew Hamblen

I loved this course from start to finish and learned a lot of useful context to this critical discovery.

I loved this course from start to finish and learned a lot of useful context to this critical discovery.

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5 star rating

Interesting learning of the Dead Sea Scrolls and how it ties into the New Testament

Harold Guthrie Chamberlain, III

I learned much about the Dead Sea Scholls, Quram, and Essene. It helps in my study of how these historic documents provide proof of the Old Testament scriptures and how they projected the coming of the Messiah.

I learned much about the Dead Sea Scholls, Quram, and Essene. It helps in my study of how these historic documents provide proof of the Old Testament scriptures and how they projected the coming of the Messiah.

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5 star rating

It may seem strange but it’s worth it

Hiram Alvarez

I hesitated at first as to why I should take this course, but I thank God I did. The Qumran community is a gem that should be spoken more in Bible studies, and at least I know now I will.

I hesitated at first as to why I should take this course, but I thank God I did. The Qumran community is a gem that should be spoken more in Bible studies, and at least I know now I will.

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