Resources « Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit

Resources

Never has the past been so present.

Bayside Church and Azusa Pacific University are excited to bring you From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Bible in America. It is one of only a handful of exhibits of its kind in the United States. Not only will the exhibit include some of the earliest discovered Dead Sea Scrolls, but it will also present parts of the oldest Greek New Testament papyri, as well as pages from medieval and early printed Bibles. In addition to the Biblical pieces, there will be several archaeological artifacts throughout the exhibit that highlight life in the region during the times the scrolls were written.

Want to know more about the Dead Sea Scrolls and our other artifacts? Download the Dead Sea Scrolls mobile app. Scan our educational resources.

iPhone App

Experience an ancient part of history through the newly released Dead Sea Scrolls iPhone app! Featuring premium, in-depth audio and video clips, this is a great resource to accompany your journey from the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Bible in America.

Available Now in the App Store – Download Now

iPod Rentals

Enhance your experience and bring the past to the present through a multimedia tour. This multimedia tour focuses on the remarkable storyline of the lives and artifacts found within our exhibit. You’ll also gain an in-depth look into the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Gutenberg, and the early printed versions of the Bible. It also provides additional information to visitors that otherwise isn’t attainable from reading exhibit panels alone.

Audio/Video tours are available for only $5. It is approximately 30-40 minutes in length.

You Lead Guide

You Lead is a program specifically designed for pastors and educators to assist in facilitating discussion revolving around the artifacts and history of the items present in this exhibit.

Download the You Lead guide

Informational Handbook

This handbook has been designed to provide you and your organization with details about our upcoming exhibit.

Download the handbook

Educational Resources

Use these educational resource guides to lead your group through the exhibit! Includes discussion questions.

Download the adult guide
Download the student guide
Download the children’s guide

Lectures & Speakers

From The Dead Sea Scrolls to the Bible in America Lecture Series features sessions with professors specializing in Biblical and archaeological history, as well as Biblical relevance and ancient history. Each speaker will cover a different facet of the exhibition, providing fascinating history and details behind the authors, discovery, importance of the artifacts, and so much more. Join this lecture series to learn about the amazing stories of sacrifice from the people of the Qumran community, as well as details from modern personalities that have done much to bring us the English Bible as we know it today.

The Dead Sea Scrolls Lectures are no longer accepting advanced registrations. If you are interested in attending a lecture you may still come, however, seating cannot be guaranteed.

Please note: Some of the lecture subjects and speakers have changed, no action is required on your part, your registration is still valid for the date chosen.

Speakers

David Nystrom is currently the chief academic officer at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California. He is also an active scholar who has published work on a variety of topics, including the teaching of Jesus, the historical Jesus, the Gospel of John, Paul, James, women in the New Testament, and Josephus. David has also published numerous articles on the New Testament, Roman history and the history of Christianity. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, a Fellow of the Institute for Biblical Research, a member of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, and a member of the North American Patristics Society.

Merilyn Copland is currently serving as a professor of Bible and Theology at William Jessup University in Rocklin, California. She has extensive knowledge and expertise in the areas of Old Testament, biblical archaeology, biblical backgrounds, Hebrew language and literature, Greek language and literature, Egyptology, Near Eastern archaeology, Classical archaeology, women in the Bible and the Early Church, Islam, Middle Eastern History, Medieval History, and the Seven Churches of Revelation. She is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Biblical Archaeology Society, and Near Eastern Studies Society. Merilyn also serves as a board member for the University of the Holy Lands and Becoming What God Intended Ministries.

Robert R. Duke, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies in Azusa Pacific University’s School of Theology. His areas of expertise include Old Testament, Dead Sea Scrolls, and Second Temple Judaism. Duke has spent almost four years studying in the Middle East, which has highly influenced his perspectives and teaching. He enjoys teaching Service Learning courses, which help students see modern context in which to apply the commands to love God and neighbor.

Lecture Schedule

The Exciting Discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Dr. David Nystrom
April 14, Room B120, 7:00-8:00pm
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls is the single most important discovery relating to the Bible and the history of Christianity and Judaism. But why are they important? How were the scrolls found? Who wrote them? What do the scrolls say that is of such momentous importance? What does this mean for us today? Are there possibly more scrolls out there yet to be discovered? Dr. Merilyn Copeland, an archaeologist and biblical scholar, will answer these and other questions in this illustrated 60-minute session. Merilyn recently returned from a trip to these very caves in January. Come explore the fascinating discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls with her.

How Our Bible Came to Us
Dr. David Nystrom
April 21, Room B120, 7:00-8:00pm
Join Dr. David Nystrom for an engaging conversation focusing upon the importance of the Gutenberg Press, the Vulgate Bible and the faith and faithfulness of intrepid interpreters of Scripture such as Wycliffe and Tyndale. This 60-minute session will provide us with a new understanding of just how precious a gift the Bible is to us.

What’s In an Ancient Library: the Biblical and Non-Biblical Texts at Qumran
Robert R. Duke, PhD
April 22, Room B222, 7:00-8:00pm
Please join Azusa Pacific University professor Robert R. Duke as he reviews the biblical fragments present at the exhibit, From the Dead Sea Scrolls to the Bible in America. In addition, this session will survey other items in this ancient library and explain their value for study. This lecture will be approximately 60 minutes in length.

The Relationship between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament
Dr. Merilyn Copland
May 4, Room B222, 7:00-8:00pm
The Dead Sea Scrolls bring to life the world in which Jesus lived and taught. The disciples and others in Jesus’ audience knew the beliefs and practices of the reactionary community of Qumran, those believed to have copied the Dead Sea Scrolls. Have you ever wondered if these scrolls influenced the development of Christianity? What do the scrolls tell us about the thought-world of first century Judaism and how the Jewish community would have viewed what Jesus did and said? This 60-minute session will give you a new appreciation for the first followers of Jesus and the Jewish context of the Gospels.

The Roman Social Context and the Dead Sea Scrolls
Dr. David Nystrom
May 11, Room B222, 7:00-8:00pm
Join David Nystrom in a 60-minute lecture about the context and world in which Jesus lived and operated. This lecture will also focus on the climate and time period in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were written. You will gain insights into the history, culture and society of biblical times. The background provided in this lecture will bring new life to these viable stories.