A. Powell Davies (1902–1957)

Excellent read. It is intriguing how the books were discovered, translated, and interpreted, and how much they reveal of ancient history before Jesus' and during time, although I think Davies (and those of whom he mentions who translated the DSS) speculative thoughts are erred.

Davies says, for example, "Nowhere in the Synoptic Gospels, even accepting the record exactly as it is, do we find a clear indication that Jesus regarded himself as the Messiah from the beginning of his ministry." Unfortunately, "accepting the record exactly as it is," Davies would be found to be incorrect (see Luke 2:49; 4:18-20; Matthew 21:13; John 2:16, Jesus confirms his self-knowledge of his unique relationship with God when he says, 'My Father's house," and quoting OT texts and referring it to himself).

Of course, the book is outdated (1956) and, perhaps, a more modern reading of the DSS might correct much of Davies speculative interpretations of the DSS. Nevertheless, this is a great read and I do recommend it (despite it being outdated and conjectural, as he himself admits, with reference to its relative importance in understanding Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible), at least, as an intro into the DSS.… (meer)