Product Details

• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Discovery Channel
• VHS Release Date: March 17, 1998
• Run Time: 80 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6304882033
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #204,972 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting new hypothesis!, August 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video, which is a 1990 documentary from the Discovery Channel, explores the work of Dr. Barbara Thiering, Ph.D., who puts forth the controversial hypothesis that the Scrolls date from the time of Jesus, not the Maccabean period (150 years earlier) as previously thought. She believes that the "Teacher of Righteousness" mentioned in the Scrolls was John the Baptist, and that Jesus may have grown up in the Qumran community. (Opinions of opposing scholars are also presented.)

She bases this upon what she feels are layers of meaning in the Gospel stories which are really codes referring to various places and to ritual practices of the Qumran sect. She is not claiming that the Qumran sect were Christians per se, but rather, that this is the community where Jesus was raised and trained before he took off on his own ministry.

Whether or not you agree with Dr. Thiering's theories, you will enjoy the excellent on-site photography of Jerusalem, Qumran, etc., with close-ups of the Scrolls, re-enactments of some of the activities and events of the time, etc. This video made me think -- well worth the price!

5.0 out of 5 stars RIDDLE OF THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS, May 27, 2011

By 

Dragonfly - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This is the story of the Dead Sea Scrolls with a completely different import from what the churches involved have been saying. A wonderfully original look at some facts the churches take for granted and which are completely outside the 'box'. A must-see for serious students of the Christian religion, as well as those who question its facts.

6 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential viewing for ANYONE interested in Scripture!, December 20, 2004

By 

Bourbeau "arsburbeaux" (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Riddle of the Dead Sea Scrolls [VHS] (VHS Tape)

The Discovery Channel's presentation of Barbara Thiering's challenges to Christian interpretation and tradition is a bold and illuminating program sure to ruffle a few feathers. In a time when the teaching of "Creationism" in public schools is once again a hot issue, this video can provide some convincing arguments against literal interpretations of Scripture. Thiering presents new insights on miracles like the feeding of the 5000, walking on water, the "raising" of Lazarus, and the "transformation" of water into wine, all based on the theory of the Peisher technique, a writing style that shrouds factual particulars with miraculous generalities. Opposing viewpoints are presented but none seem very convincing (to me, anyway). Lies from Satan? Whatever. I don't see how any rational mind could reject Thiering's proposals outright. Some may seem a bit adventurous and unsupported (like her theory of the crucifixion and resurrection), but all of them are rooted in logic. My only problem with this perspective is that it is presented under the immediate assumption that Jesus really DID exist (an assumption I am not entirely convinced of). Bravo Discovery Channel!