OSHER 193 - A Deep Dive into the Dead Sea Scrolls

Discover the dramatic origins of Christianity and how it emerged from the ashes of ancient Judea's greatest crisis. When the First Temple fell in 586 BCE, the Jewish people faced an existential reckoning, leading to the evolution of powerful new ideas about the Messiah and redemption. Centuries later, under Roman rule, these ideas would give rise to a revolutionary movement--one that would transform from a Jewish apocalyptic sect into the foundation of the Christian Church. In this fascinating course, we will unravel the history of this transformation, exploring archaeological discoveries, ancient texts like the Dead Sea Scrolls and Nag Hammadi papyri, and insights from Greek, Roman, and Jewish sources. Join us for an eye-opening journey through history that will challenge what you thought you knew about the origins of Christianity.