Dr Jutta Jokiranta: Sociological Approaches to the Dead Sea Scrolls

Dr Jutta Jokiranta delivered a lecture on 18 October 2007, entitled 'Sociological Approaches to the Dead Sea Scrolls'.

Event details

Lecture title: Sociological Approaches to the Dead Sea Scrolls

Date: 18 October 2007, 5.15pm

Venue: Martin Hall, New College, Edinburgh

Lecture abstract

Social-scientific approaches to the books of the Hebrew Bible and of the New Testament have a long history but are only in the process of penetrating into the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. What do these approaches have to offer? Are they merely presenting old ideas in a new package, or can we genuinely learn something new with their help? How can modern theories of modern people and societies be applied in ancient contexts?

The aim of my lecture is to survey what has been done on social-scientific methods and the Dead Sea Scrolls, to classify these studies, and to assess, at least in a preliminary manner, their results and value to the study of the Dead Sea Scrolls. These remarks will hopefully find points of contact with those who study ancient texts, who apply various interdisciplinary approaches in the study of texts as well as those who wish to learn more about the Scrolls.