Robert Eisenman & the Dead Sea Scrolls: Best Interview Ever!

[@edgarsnake2857]

I love listening to Robert Eisenman. He and James Tabor have done the serious legwork. This is easily the most illuminating lecture I have seen relating to the Dead Sea Scrolls. Dr. Robert brings it all to life with the flair of a great story teller.. The section on Paul was amazing. Great stuff. Thanks. Aspire to be righteous!!

[@thejamnasium6447]

our righteousness is as filthy rags

[@acesing0987]

​@@thejamnasium6447Thx for telling us we're worms...I mean menstrual diapers

[@savedbygrace3454]

...and the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5

[@isrbillmeyer]

James Tabor and Robert Eisenman - two of my favourite authors on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

[@edwardkmicheal218]

Allow me to propose 'Revelation Ch.25' by EdwardKMicheal as an authentic witness to our Christ Yeshua. kdag PlymouthUK 2024Feb8th

[@wendyhughes2234]

Acts 4:11 KJV 11 This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’a

[@wendyhughes2234]

James 2:19 KJV: Thou believest that there is one God [Abba Father]; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

[@ji8044]

Great, great, interview. The best part was his acknowledgement that many Christians and even Christian scholars cannot place themselves into a 1st Century Judea mind set, but can imagine only a Greco-Roman Christianity mindset from centuries later.

[@penelopejuno9904]

One can't really understand the Bible unless they understand Hebrew and the Jewish customs from the times. There are a lot of misconceptions interpreted by modern mainstream Christian teachings that aren't what was meant when the alleged Christ was teaching, nor the apostles and / or people who wrote the texts used to compile the " Bible". One is the misconception of turning the other cheek and loving ones enemy. The other is that Jesus changed Judaism or the law. The closest practice of the type of spirituality and worship resembling those days would be messianic Judaism. Not protestent Christianity . The person Jesus, aka, Yeshua, did not come to change the law, but to fulfill it, as prophesied in Isaiah. Some of the dead sea scrolls were written in Aramauc , Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. Mohammad of Islam wasn't born until 570 CE. I thought he had said something about Islam, which would be irrelevant except for the fact that Mohammad wouldve been a descendent of the descendents of those living at the time the dead sea scrolls were written. A lot of people lived in caves back then. Archaeologists have uncovered the communities the people who wrote the dead sea scrolls lived in. They weren't cave dwellers, as such.. though they were organized into different levels, on par with the first type of monks . They did not invite beggers, blind and deaf people into the community. . So not exactly the same people of the " give them the coat off your back " christians. There were many sects of Jews at the time. . The scrolls were stashed in a hurry, most probably because the Romans were on their tails. The theory is that they were mostly massacred , with some possible escapees . .None of the writings used in the New Testament Bible were found among the dead sea scrolls . The Dead Sea scrolls only confirm them to be the earliest written texts found in the Jewish texts that were also included in the Christian old testament.. they confirm their earlier existence for the Jews, and confirm their authenticity as to translation, Isaiah being the most complete , intact and earliest original text of the Tanakh. There is no evidence that they were Christians. The term " righteous" was not created by Christians, nor was it a new concept to religion or reference to an individual dedicated to their spirituality in purity .

[@ji8044]

@@penelopejuno9904 I enjoyed reading your reply. I missed the reference to Mohammed, but I'm sure you know that Judaism was a major source for his creation of Islam.

[@gregsutter1805]

Well he in no way has an Essese mind set.

[@acesing0987]

​@@penelopejuno9904my question is... Who wrote Peter and John then...I believe that Jesus fulfilled the old test... So then who was James from Acts and why did the Jerusalem Jews act a certain way etc... The dead sea ers... Were they not the same brand of believer....hmmm 🤔

[@penelopejuno9904]

​@@acesing0987, Jesus wasn't mentioned in the dead sea scrolls. They were written by a Jewish sect. Christianity was only just begun by the time the Dead sea scrolls were left in the cave. They contain fragments of the old testament or Jewish Bible, and then some , except that Isiah wa complete, not fragmented. None of the new testament scriptts were part of the dead sea scrolls. As far as who James, John and Paul were , there is a lot of information you can refer to through a search. Their writings, however, came after the dead sea scrolls were written and abandoned in the cave. The historical context of the dead sea scrolls is that they confirm that the writings the Jews used as part of their religion.. .. the dead sea scrolls were dated to be earlier than other known copies of the Jewish " Bible". The Jewish Bible does not mention Jesus. But the people who converted to Christianity or who were said to have followed Jesus were mostly people of Jewish and Roman religions and cultures, as was Jesus, himself, in fact preaching at the Temple. . What I'm saying is the writings compiled into new testament, need to be read in the context of the beliefs , customs and history of the Jews at the time , not our modern day society who don't understand the Jewish customs and practices at that time in history , or any other custom that wouldn't be understood in our modern day. In summary, the dead sea scrolls preceded Christianity . They were written by a Jewish sect and are historically significant because they prove prerexistence of old testament writings or Jewish " bible" to an earlier date of other known early copies, especially the one of Isaiah, because of its completeness . They have nothing to do with the new testament writings.

[@pds002]

Thank you. I have now watched this several times and glean something fresh each time. I would need to use a thousand words to convey what is heartfelt in only two; thank you.

[@liepa7768]

Just keep in mind that this is Only his personal opinion and Not the ultimate truth 😊

[@rickstrole9634]

any righteousness of a man is only because of the righteousness of Christ's indwelling of said man .. this guy is not saying things that are the truth.. No man is good only Jesus.. and only through Him are we made pure ..so this guy talking about being made pure by ritual cleansing so they can commune with angels.. is not in the Bible. but i do not think he cares about what the Bible says.. Jesus stressed that in the days before His return that you "Be Not Decieved"!!! be careful who you listen to.

[@pds002]

@@rickstrole9634 I feel encouraged, by James Tabor especially, and more inclined to read the bible because of his scholarly appreciation and enthusiasm than if I hadn't listened to him. I've been put off by many pontificating, self-righteous, judgemental 'Christians' who denigrate earnest truth seekers. James Tabor has helped me to take down that wall of defence and to have an enquiring mind once more.

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

@@pds002 Good for you . . . I am a Christian . . . this guy readily admits to not knowing the Bible, the NT, & it shows - but the depth in which he ended up having to learn what he was translating from the dead sea scrolls . . . he has no reason to lie. What he was learning, intrigued him & he got a pretty good grasp of the NT without knowing what was in the NT, I'm impressed & I appreciate an unbiased, new pair of eyes that is NOT trying to convince me to believe what they believe to win me over to their personal "religion" The end result: you read the Bible for yourself, with this new perspective - ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you, not any human . . . & I hope you & I will have all of eternity to debate it together.

[@gregsutter1805]

@@rickstrole9634 jesus said there were many rightous men. Hay when did a christian preacher last say to pratcice what jesus taught? If one did it world make history.

[@CC-lf7ff]

...eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear...

[@susannablessings5773]

EVENTALLY, EVERY knee shall bow and EVERY TONGUE CONFESS that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD AND KING OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.

[@natalieamberger2432]

​@@susannablessings5773amen!!

[@wendyhughes2234]

Matthew 21:42 “Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?”

[@zzzonezz]

Yep, this guy seems pretty good.. if you don't have an hr, try from about 46 mins on and then you may want to hear the rest. Great interview. Thank you James for posting it.

[@otterhessian3742]

This is kicking my butt...Thanks Doctor Tabor.

[@robertgrant3844]

Prof Tabor, I see and appreciate why you believe this is your best interview. Bravo. This content has challenged and changed my beliefs for the better.

[@TomDavisAtSundown]

Dr. Tabor - Early in my "awakening" to the honesty of Christian/Judaism history (as opposed to theology) I found your work and Robert Eisenman's. In those early days his one-liner "to know Jesus study James" was a great inspiration. I have now read his book , Vol. 1, and own Vol. 2. I have watched his videos and learned a lot. In several of his videos, he seems to be very frustrated and almost angry with some things; particularly how hard it was to get the scrolls released. In this video, I could see his compassion blended with the zeal for the subject. I guess he could be labeled a Zealot for Righteousness???

[@jmc8076]

Theology vs history. Well put. Maybe he’s passionate for historical record vs literature?

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

Hey, just to add my 2 cents worth, I trust THEOLOGY rather than RELIGION - that is if you truly grasp the proper definition of each of those words . . . Constantine, had the position, power & authority to do just exactly what he was insinuating here & Constantine converted, then regressed & converted again, practically on his deathbed . . . I mean, Eisenman here, readily admitted to not knowing scripture, for comparison, he only knew what he had translated & in great detail, Rome was no weak or blind government, you batten, you bargain, you compromise, you negotiate . . . all of this is very plausible.

[@aaronaragon7838]

Robert Eisenman speaks coherently without a script for an hour...amazing. Frankly, Mr Eisenman is one of the foremost thinkers of our time.

[@BrotherM-co3tj]

Outstanding interview with an independent thinker who has developed an interesting perspective on the DSS and Christian origins. Biblical scholarship needs more people like Eisenman who think outside the box as a result of their non-traditional training and natural temperament and are willing to break ranks with an academy that tends to enforce consensus views.

[@edwardmiessner6502]

Exactly! And the way they enforce consensus views is to define the box and label everyone outside that box to be a crank! So Dr. Robert Eisenmann, Dr Dennis MacDonald, and Dr Richard Carrier share the same company with Joseph Atwill, James Valliant, and D.M. Murdock (Acharaya S).

[@integrationalpolytheism]

It's eerie how often Dr Tabor brings something out that coincides with my own interests du jour. It started back when I was planning to read the gospel of Mark closely, and within two weeks Dr Tabor was announcing a course on the subject! It's happened numerous times again since then, and now this week I found myself looking up Dr Eisenman for the first time in years because I'm looking into James the Just, and within 24 hours, Dr Tabor is here sharing Eisenman material! Always grateful, but sometimes it's like Dr Tabor has a security camera set up in my brain!

[@mrlume9475]

I thought I was the only one. 😅

[@jonathanbarnes3061]

Your not alone but seeking truth, drawing close to God is probably inherently likely to make one feel alone. Honestly, that's usually a good indication you'll be blessed. Naturally defining what blessed is becomes interpreted subjectively..

[@deborahwalker7406]

fascinating!

[@markpaul-ym5wg]

It's called being guided by the holy spirit.

[@karlschneebauer-montronix2114]

Prof. Tabor is so honest so truth focused so humble

[@johnmichaelson9173]

I couldn't agree more, Dr Tabor was born to teach he's a natural. He is such a great communicator you can do nothing other than sit back & listen. I can watch one of his video's & the information sticks. I'll learn more from Dr Tabor than from any other channel.

[@EinarGrondal]

This interview is brilliant. Thank you James. 🎉

[@josephwurzer4366]

Eisenman has some of his old Long Beach State Classes on the net for FREE. He rambles a bit and can be moved off topic but the stream of thought is worth it.

[@swimtrainee8950]

Thanks for bringing us this interview!

[@tomszumlic8971]

Dr. Tabor , I went on a Eisenman marathon after hearing this interview. Thank you again! I was deeply moved to discover that architect Peter Eisenman is his brother who is equally as brilliant and beautiful.

[@Maximus-gp7td]

I love listening to Mr. Robert Eisenman, he has a huge knowledge on many subjects ❤

[@onika700]

Paul said he WAS zealous for the law. Paul seems to believe sincerely and he even suffers for his beliefs.

[@mattm.5436]

Yeah your out of your mind if you believe the little Roman Spy Paul had any sincerity or integrity. Many researchers historians and authors have pointed out Paul’s connection to the Romans and his mission.

[@rafaelsanz3441]

A big thank you, Mr. Tabor, for your great job. Just amazing how a Jewish sect with a Jewish messiah could have get such an influence in people of European stock to the point that faith in Jesus and his thoughts is the base of European civilization, at least until the French Revolution.

[@RunesandReapers]

Except it really isn't. The ebonites who were far more judaic in thought were wiped out. The hellenistic world took over the idea of a redemptive God who really looks less judaic by the time you get to byzantium

[@t3br00k35]

It is crazy isn’t it! But awesome too

[@tomszumlic8971]

I love this man! Thank you James for the introduction.

[@vikkideanegomez]

Great to see a UNCC professor posting such informative, interesting videos. From a UNCC graduate!

[@christianpaje9445]

Thank you thank you thank you for posting this. It's been a long time since i read "james the brother of jesus" and to listen to eisenman like this is incredible. Pure genius. He talks just like he writes.

[@Stanleysforlife12]

WOW!!! Profound and Fantastic perpective. I learned so much from watching this interview and have about 2 pages of notes to take me further in my journey.

[@georgesparks7833]

Thank you for your time 😮 putting up this podcast interview. Very cool.

[@Hastenforthedawm]

This is the most epic crossover, kinda secretly anticipated it for a long time. You're both similar but different.

[@Benjamin-jo4rf]

This interview was recorded years ago and has been in KZbin for ever. I don't think it actually is an interview of eisenman by Tabor. That would be awesome. I believe that Eisenman is the difficult one to wrangle And get in a room with Tabor but please go ahead and try. I'd absolutely love to see that "crossover". Good luck. Your gonna probably need a good lasso and a Few thousand dollars cash, plus some good kosher vegetarian food

[@whosedoingwhat]

The church was NOT built on Peter sm stone it was built on Yahushua The Rock, the foundation corner stone.

[@natalieamberger2432]

He said that because Peter was the first to give the gospel message of salvation as prophecied in Acts chapter 2....believe in Jesus, repent of sins, be baptised INTO Jesus' name FOR the remission of sins and the promise (the Holy Spirit) God's Spirit would dwell with and in you. There is no more temple in the earthly sense for our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. We do not need to go through any man just Acts 2:38 and we go to God directly!

[@v.garcia3083]

He seems to believe the 4 Gospels are leaning closer to literature not historically sound. And he has a problem with Paul. I have a problem with that. I trust the LORD Yashuah. (Jesus) And His Word stands forever.

[@mrlume9475]

What a fascinating man. Thank you Dr Tabor for posting this. I had not heard of Dr. eisenman before.

[@bryansonnet2454]

Cloud without water, always learning but never coming to the Truth that is Jesus. Void of the Spirit, full of traditions of men.

[@natalieamberger2432]

Amen!

[@Sahajayana-Nirvanasara]

Great to hear Robert Eisenman speak again

[@christiem5881]

Dr. Robert Eisenman is one of my heroes ❤

[@jmc8076]

I prefer teachers over heros. Following and putting other humans on pedestals is in part how we allow authority to grow and replacing our critical thinking for others. ✌️

[@7EV1N]

I now see why Dr. James Tabor thinks this is the best interview ever. The entire video all these interesting thoughts was fusing together and setting the nuke off, just absolutely....wow! Its like I was in a room with both Tabor and Eisenman discussing the dead sea scrolls with each other while I sat back listen to both sides. Just brilliant!

[@jasonb4321]

Thanks Dr Tabor. 👍👍

[@MarkWodjykl]

Thank you for this interview and all your work. It is rivers of cleansing water to this former evangelical lay missionary who spent over a dozen years doing little more than praying and studying the Bible. Thank you for your amazing gift of illuminating the actual history of those times and what was likely going on inside the heads of the actors we purport to be so familiar with.

[@phnompenhandy]

Your title is no exaggeration or clickbait. That truly is a fascinating interview.

[@jmc8076]

Refreshing. And no book/s or props for the interview.

[@wordoftruthwjdnijah3467]

Excellent and in depth description of a belief system that is multi layered and literally dispersed over cultures. Fascinating.

[@Rebecca-ds4vk]

Thank you. Righteousness. Purify. Thank you for speaking thus.

[@kathrynnorman7539]

Wonderful interview....beautifully timed as it's Lent .....I am a Catholic....I have 2 of Robert Eisenman's wonderful books which I value...as I do him and his views. Thank you so much for the gift of this interview.

[@mogbaba]

One of the best speeches I have heard about early Christianity, thank you!

[@isrbillmeyer]

Beautiful portion, best of the interview 58:11 - What Robert believe in - righteousness. Very inspiring, with basic common sense.

[@dustye753]

So sad he seems to think his righteousness can please God, he is using the wrong standard. Needs to read Isaiah 64:6, it in the dead sea scrolls.

[@isrbillmeyer]

@@dustye753 Wut? You are missing the point. Here is the difference between what Robert believes and what you see what many call "faith" or "belief". It is a common idea among Christians that if they just do the sinners prayer - then "once saved always saved" and regardless of the sin that their "righteousness now is in Jesus". The effect that is common is that they think it is some sort of magic spell that will "take away their sins regardless of their actions" and basically it becomes pointless to be actually righteous because "the Law was nailed to the Cross" that hey are "Free from the Law". You can spot that type easily. They view any actual obsevance of the Law as the new "sin" and think that they have some form of moral superiority because "they are in Jesus" and "all their sins has been taken away by Jesus". Robert is not trying to "please God". He is just trying to understand what righeousness is, understanding that that is what makes you a "better person" not just mumbling some verses out of context to justify your own transgression of the Law. So he says - "whatever makes you more righteous" . And I agree with him. The goal is to have a righteous soceity with righteous people, not a soceity filled with law breakers who think they are immune from judgement and revel in their own ignorance - which is exactly what we see with the modern church and their "Free from the Law" doctrine.

[@jdfalconer13]

This type of "righteousness" being subjective to every person's heart feeling guilty is that people no longer feel guilty for breaking some of the most basic commands from the Torah. That can't be the standard we use to determine righteousness.

[@isrbillmeyer]

I think Robert is (intentionally?) misunderstood here. He is arguing for basic common sense righteousness - which is exactly what Torah is about. Those pushing all kinds of "spirituality" which is totally subjective is the problem - because nothing is certain - and that is the types who push "free from the Law" doctrines in favour of totally subjective "salvation" doctrine.

[@dustye753]

​@@isrbillmeyer Right like Romans 8 explains, the believer is now free from the Law of sin and death.

[@mboyle6]

Spoken like a true academic. 1 Corinthians.But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

[@kosmicwizard]

This was an absolutely fantastic interview! Thank you so much, Dr. Tabor!

[@torbreww]

James was not called the ‘Teacher of Righteousness.’ He was called ‘James the Just’ (not the same) and he called himself “a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (James 1:1). Maybe the Teacher of Righteousness character in the scrolls is prophetic of Jesus, or is an expression for a longing to be righteous and is an example of a type of messianic expectation of that group at that time.

[@MsMazzy100]

Jesus the man, by Barbara Theiring, says he is Jesus.

[@southology5283]

most of what he says in the video is inventions

[@dbarker7794]

Excellent. Thanks for sharing this. 👍

[@ericstewart9742]

I’m not sure how Saul of Tarsus was both a Herodian and a Pharisee of Pharisees.

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

Think of it this way: under Roman rule, they couldn't very well allow the Jews to have a KING, now could they, especially when they used the title Caesar . . . there were multiple Herod this, Herod that, Herod the Great - the Herod that slaughtered 2year old males when Joseph took Mary & the babe to Egypt, then returned from Egypt after that Herod had died . . . each of these Herod had a nasty habit of killing off their own siblings & children for their own personal gain . . . if you were someone in line here, you'd either keep them well funded, or go off to Greece to be educated to become a scholarly Pharisee & hope they have forgotten about you.

[@JopJio]

He was a herodian who claimed to be a Pharisee. Just like Xtians claim to be scholars of scholars

[@dadaveda]

Fascinating interview.

[@jordancotter5885]

I don't understand this interview. It sounds like a critique of the NT based on the dead sea scrolls, but the dead sea scrolls are OT not NT. What am I missing?

[@jerryoutlaw3396]

Thank you for this clarifying information. I completely appreciate your work and research. I would never insult your work by offering a slew of paragraphs starting with the corrective word “But..” while trying to insinuate that I am as studied on this subject as you are. Thank you for making this information more understandable for most people.

[@torbreww]

If Paul was part of Herod’s family then why didn’t Herod protect him? Paul appealed to Caesar for a hearing, not Herod.

[@atheistapostate7019]

This should be interesting. I first discovered the Dead Sea Scrolls via his book The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered shortly after it was released what seems ages ago now. I don’t always agree with him BUT he had interesting views.

[@SMitch231]

Same. That was my 1st DSS book.

[@atheistapostate7019]

@@SMitch231 it stirred a life long passion for them inside me, and lead me to Dr. Tabor along the way with his own involvement with them.

[@SMitch231]

@@atheistapostate7019 It's very compelling. I've been away from the subject in an active way for many years. Am now retired, and I've found Dr. Tabor and other great resources on the interweb. I'm delighted and feel very lucky.

[@josephwurzer4366]

I took a class from him by luck when he taught at Long Beach State. He’s an interesting man. He rambles about if you watch his courses in the internet. Read his books. They are deep but great.

[@YaoEspirito]

He rambles in his books too. VERY important books, but damn.

[@anibalerikromero88]

The best for me was about James The Just being the Teacher of Righteousness, wow ... And it makes a lot of sense , Thank you !!!

[@dannyhuskerjay]

You gotta respect professor E. Lots of his opinions are theories (some really out there theories.) but he is consistent and sticks to it. Something we don’t see a lot.

[@ferdinandthebull286]

Paul did not despise the law, he taught that following the law which none of them were able to do did not justify a person to God. He taught that the law and man's inability to follow it left man in a hopeless state which resulted form the fall in Genesis 3. Man's realization of this would produce understanding of the need for a messiah not just to elevate the nation of Israel to the head of nations, but to restore all of mankind to a relationship with God because of the cross and eventually the restoration of the nation of Israel as promised to Abraham. That is the Gospel that Paul points out in his letters and the contextual understand that anyone studying the Scriptures must have in order to understand their true meaning and the historical events surrounding the intertestamental period and the past 2 thousand years of world history. Without this contextual understanding, only a rudimentary understand of the scriptures, the DSS and the world history surround them can be achieved.

[@abaker4692]

Beautiful.

[@rjsullivan3869]

Yes

[@annaleedaughterofyhwh7767]

Ahmein and Ahmein

[@jericosha2842]

The point being made by Eisenman is that Paul was not for the law, while the ground zero Jewish messianic Christian movement led by James the Just/brother of Christ were all zealots for the law. This implies that the original Jesus movement was not of a Pauline theology or religious ethic. Paul is not even remotely close to this, evidenced by his anger about law observances in Galatians. I think you are misunderstanding the point being made by this scholar (and many others for that matter). Eisenman and others wouldn't deny that some letters attributed to Paul have an apologetic angle towards the Law as a theological point about his gospel.

[@mitchellrose3620]

How can a story be described as very very very very beautiful and "nuts" at the same time?

[@theomnisthour6400]

Wow, what an interesting person, with so many parallels to my own journey. Definitely one of the Dread Pirate Robert's clan 😉

[@jericosha2842]

Why do so many scholars disregard his works? I mainly see criticisms that say he makes wild speculations. From what I've seen from him, I'm very interested.

[@johnnygenlock]

What can I say? Academics. They, too, have their biases. And one of those is to reduce the miraculous to myth status, or presume it was simply invented into the narrative. I traveled in India in the early 1970's and witnessed many of the miracles of Jesus being performed by Sages and Saints there. Seeing that . . . was actually what brought me to Christianity. Because it made Jesus' miracles credible.

[@johnnygenlock]

At the same time, while not confirming the Divinity of Jesus, it shows a "god man" form of status; a second Adam, come to clean up the mess kicked off in the Garden. One particular Saint in India, I could feel his presence like a compass; literally use his presence as a direction-finder to know where he was presently. And no one was claiming this guy was God; but rather a "god man". This is what's left out of Tabor's work and Eisenman. This other dimension; that they don't account for.

[@jancollard7169]

I thought it was just me. Heresy.

[@southology5283]

Aside from your righteous observation, even from a scientific point of view all these things they say here are lies. They basically manipulate few datas according to their agenda and what they like to believe. Eisenman is quite ignorant of Hebraic culture and there are many errors and assumptions... These assumptions for them become certainties on which they build theories.

[@rev.randall2292]

Some interesting thinking here , and I would agree upon some of it. A common theme we are told that Nothing of Ourselves , or of Good Works is going to cut it. I wish nothing but the best for Mr. Eisenman , and good luck to him.

[@jasoncharles8651]

An excellent hour interview. Do not miss this hour!

[@robertgrant3844]

The powerful and useful impact of the teaching of both of you Professors cannot be understated. Your deep research and sincere draw toward “righteousness” imbues reason and credibility. We are all indebted to your enlightened work. But to me, forgive me, your blind spot is your failures to see the supernatural. You are both willing, to some extent to accept the so-called 7 accepted writings of Paul, and yet when Paul proclaims to his eye witness followers that they came to believe because of working of the Spirit, you are both incapable of recognizing that spiritual agency at work in Paul’s ministry. Nor do you appreciate that your main guy James the Just was familiar with Paul’s work and extended the right hand of fellowship and protection to Paul in the very work you cite as authentic and reliable - Acts 15 and Acts 21. Can we accept that perhaps James knew Paul better than we do?

[@maryannec55]

I remember watching this interview awhile back, before I knew more about what he discusses here ;) It's hard to believe that the Essenes would have just disappeared... are there any sects of their remnants today?

[@edwardmiessner6502]

They were completely erased by the Romans in the first Jewish Revolt / War on the Jews 66-70 CE. Many of them ended up on a _crux / stauros,_ best described as "torture-stake", not "cross".

[@rhoothlutz798]

They recognised christ as the prophesied messiah and became Christians

[@LordsSupperSociety]

@@rhoothlutz798 The Essene's were the real priesthood preparing the way out in the wilderness. They knew when the messiah was to come from the Melchizedek document. Not sure about the point of this material? Jesus was both man and God you will not find Jesus in history but by faith alone and calling!

[@johnbarnesNnaptown]

Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin he was not Herodian. If you can look past the trees you'll see the forrest

[@johnbarnesNnaptown]

Paul was arguing against THE SACRIFICIAL LAW not any other part of the law. He says the law is holy just and good, perfecting the soul. He was teaching that Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial law. We as Christians should be zealots of the law because the law tells us how we should conduct ourselves.

[@integrationalpolytheism]

It's always nice to be taken back to my own eureka moment which led me out of christianity. For me, the mindblowing realisation about James and Paul was what prompted me to question everything I'd been told within the religion.

[@deniselutgens6739]

Amasing!!!!

[@snappysnap955]

Seriously...what??? Paul took a Nazarite vow. Acts 18:18 People are so skewed about Paul on all sides it's depressing....but unfortunately for your narrative of Paul hating the temple (wtf?) He himself had taken a Nazarite vow in Acts 18:18. He had his own plans to go to the temple. About half way through on this and doesn't even seem worthwhile to continue. Amazing...both Jews and Christians lie about Paul.

[@JopJio]

Why? He was forced to, becsuse He wanted to save his life. 😂 "to the Jews I became as a jew...". Paul is the biggest fraud in history of mankind.

[@dreen7911]

Awesome information. Thank you!

[@M1a2l3e4n5e6]

awesome that we count 2024 after Jesus.

[@jjs8008]

Long time ago I edited some of Robert's classes at Long Beach. I have a good deal of respect for him and thoroughly enjoyed his teaching style. However, at the same time I've always been troubled by his critics. The critiques of Robert Eisenman's theories for their reliance on late sources, unconventional interpretations of Qumran texts, and departure from mainstream scholarly consensus on the historical context of early Christianity and the Qumran community. The skepticism is rooted in the perceived lack of support from explicit evidence and the challenge posed by the unconventional nature of Eisenman's claims. I have always hoped someone would come along and defend his views. Was he perfect, none of us are, but he is exceptional.

[@jmc8076]

Brilliant. TY. Is orig from 2018 avail? Edit: ironic those in comments who think he’s confused incl his beliefs. Explains why we still have lessons to learn for lasting peace and human collective evolution.

[@daddog9252]

So very glad to see Eisenman again and also especially that he is on your podcast.....an unjustly underrated and UNDERAPPRECIATE scholar. (....academic elitism and jealousy I suspect)

[@niranjanpaul2176]

Sure

[@andrewsuryali8540]

It isn't that. Eisenman came up with his own ideas about who the Qumran community was (Jacobite Christians / Ebionites) and along the way tried to reinterpret the Jewish sectarian divide in a way that neither the historical records nor the archaeology support (for example, he believes that there were two groups of Sadducee, one of which was nationalistic in anachronistically 20th century way). The problem is that as new evidence from Qumran and other sites came to light and disproved his ideas, he rejected all of them in favor of his own interpretation, which isolated him from the mainstream. In a way he turned into DSS Einstein; revered for his early work but ostracized from the community of scholars in old age due to stubbornly clinging to his own outdated ideas. Eisenman is not underappreciated. If anything, he's overappreciated because people outside the scholarly community only know of his successful fight to make the DSS accessible to all but don't know of his scathing and rambling defense of his out-of-consensus ideas, sometimes unfairly attacking other researchers who just try to reason with him. He ran out of defenders sometime around the late 2010s because he ended up attacking everyone who tried to make him sound more reasonable to the community. It's a bit sad, really. I'm not saying he isn't a great scholar. He is, and his contributions shouldn't be forgotten, but neither should we excuse his later transformation. This interview is like a last gasp of brilliance and fresh air for someone who, to be fair, dug his own hole and refused to come out of it.

[@dtodd2757]

​@@andrewsuryali8540Do you know where I can read up or watch videos on the newer discoveries that go against Eisenmen?

[@djnikx1]

👍Excellent interview! Mr Eisenman's book 'James the brother of Jesus' is a must reading for anyone interesting or researching that era.

[@wrw1870]

This was an interview made in 2018. It is an edited version of the original.

[@jmc8076]

Still good. I’ll look for orig to see what was edited out to fit the current YT format.

[@rockzalt]

Interesting interview. To call it Palestinian messianism is not an accurate way to refer to that place at the time the scrolls were hid. Judean messianism is more precise because they were hid due to the Romans who crushed the Judean revolt for independence. They then renamed it Syria Palaestina as an insult to the Jewish population because they knew the Philistines were Israel's historical enemy. Once a person becomes aware of the historical geographical naming conventions it becomes political today. Or in other words, a headache. Perhaps Dr. Robert Eisenman could talk to Dr Peter J. Williams who is the Principal and CEO of Tyndale House, Cambridge to be better informed. There were a few other holes in his narratives, but I've already used up to much space.

[@dianedrewry32]

Thank you, I just said the same thing and there are only 2 or 3 comments so far that pick him up on fundamental inaccuracies that a seasoned scholar should/would not make, which leads me to believe he likes to push a certain narrative.

[@marksolum1794]

Everybody is aware of the implication you describe, but it is just easier to say Palestine to describe the general area than say Judea, Israel, and Samaria in a general discussion.

[@KirillBenIgor]

This was GREAT. Thanks!

[@Anstreki323]

🤡🤡🤡

[@TruthEludesUs]

Thanks Dr Tabor! Amazing talk. Oddly, his take on being righteous is the first thing that resonates as true...despite hearing the rantings of a multitude of preachers and rabbis online.

[@johnbarnesNnaptown]

Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

[@obrianwashlaters8749]

Thank you James , you are a 🌟

[@dissidentfairy4264]

The body! I guess we could go down the rabbit hole with that one, but the thing is, nothing doesn't exist, ergo, I attribute the soul to God.

[@deniselutgens6739]

Wonderfull!

[@robertallan4916]

Most Excellent!

[@Joe1qz]

Wow! A lot of new stuff in this one. Thanks James! I mean... Doctor Tabor!

[@lizwood3514]

But Menachem the Essene prophesized that Herod the Great would become king and found favour with the Herodian dynasty. Then in the Acts of the Apostles, another Menahem or Manean an early Christian or Jewish Christian, anoints Saul in the power of the Holy Spirit for his ministry to the gentiles, commissions him and sends him out, (Acts 13.1). This Menahem grew up with Herod the Tetrarch. So, there were already links to the Herodian dynasty from the Essenes and as you can see the Essenes and the Christians were much more closely linked than anyone wishes to admit. Joan E Taylor's book called The Essenes, the Scolls and the Dead Sea has some intersting information anout Essenes and Herodians. St. Paul is not a man of little integrity who is flexible with the truth. He is the apostle to the gentiles and is proclaiming a new covenant whereby people are regulated by the Holy Spirit not the law. Jesus says in Luke 16:16 that when John comes (John the Baptist) the law and the prophets are no longer in effect and it is kingdom living. Kingdom living is the key as the presence and power of God is the kingdom on earth. "If I drive out demons with the finger of God the Kingdom of God has come upon you". This is the difference in living in the flesh that requires the law or living in the Spirit which requires no law. Or to put it another way it is the difference between living in the world or beyond the veil in the Holy of Holies. This is what St. Paul is cleverly advocating that there are two ways. One is worldly and requires the law the other is heavenly and requires the Spirit. The Teacher of Righteousness says it perfectly when he said "when I recalled Your mighty hand along with the abundance of Your mercy then I was restored and I stood up; my spirit grew strong ... for you expiate (make amends for) iniquity to cleanse a human being from guilt by your righteousness". It is the perfection of God's way that He can turn his face away from your sin and wipe it out.

[@amandacarter7740]

Thankyou for a well written comment. I enjoyed reading thru it!🙂

[@alhumble8175]

Have you read Matthew 5:17-19? These are the words of the Messiah. Be careful how you interpret the past, current and future importance of the eternal Law of God.

[@youtubeaccount3230]

What are u yapping about? Kingdom of God is laws of God, moses was the first prophet to receive laws to govern a land, this is key 🔑 because look at the west today it governs by laws of Satan not laws of God, and Jesus was preaching the good news of the son of man to come after him and establish the laws of God and get rid of the roman empire out of Jerusalem maybe look in history and see who this figure is

[@cassandraconroy563]

so since you claim the Law was disposed of.... then explain to everyone how that works. The Law includes commandments to not murder, not steal, amongst many others. The Law doesn't burden anyone. In fact it brings forth life and blessings. Yahusha my Master and King states unequivocally that He didn't come to do away with the Law so how are you overlookimg that? you are twisting Scriptures!

[@lizwood3514]

@@cassandraconroy563 I haven't disposed of the law. It is just that the people are regulated differently. In Luke 16:16 Jesus says, " when John comes the law and the prophets are no longer in effect and it is kingdom living" which is followed closely by Luke 16:17 by "not one dot or iota will pass from the law until heaven and earth pass away". This is because there is the coming of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ which will regulate the people and bring the kingdom. "If I drive out a demon with the finger of God the kingdom og God has come upon you". The power of God will now fall on anybody and not just the Great High Priest beyond the veil in the temple. God does this because Jerusalem is about to be sacked and the temple destroyed. The temple laws and the place itself used to regulate the lives of the people but the great prophecy of the time was the destruction of the temple. It was Jesus's major prophecy. The idea that the ordinances and the precepts would be followed and would regulate the Zadokites of the Dead Sea Scrolls until the coming of the messiah (s) of Aaron and Israel is found in the sectarian writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Clearly something of the law and its holiness comes in the Holy Spirit and becomes written on your heart with love. See Nick Shakoor's the chosen actors testimony of the Holy Fire and his repentance of idols. You can see from this testimony that God can also be scary and you can see why the Jews used to tie a rope around the Great High Priest when he entered the Holy of Holies in case the Great High Priest was killed! The law is for the world but is not necessary if you live in the kingdom and beyond the veil in the power of God and the perfection of his way. In reality life is paradoxical but God can turn his face away from your sins and wipe them out.

[@jordancotter5885]

36:53 So the gospel writers "Romanized" the gospels so they could survive the Roman empire even though Christians were persecuted there for 300 years afterwards... 🤔

[@cracker3932]

A. MAZ. ING. Thank you so much for this Dr. Tabor.

[@eileengarcia7923]

A wealth of knowledge! Thank you!

[@johnndavis7647]

Paul was a chosen vessel because he understood being a born again Jew being a Pharisee and he understood being a born again gentile. He understood the difference. Paul was a born again Jew. He kept the feasts and the law to the best of his ability while understanding that Yahushua is the messiah. He did not expect Gentiles to keep the feasts or the law. The laws of faith and love are what our life is all about. I am interested in the Dead Sea Scrolls because I want to be a part of a New Testament church. I don't think the organized church we have today is the model I see in the early church.

[@amanpalestina9664]

This kind of VIDEO that made me placing The Dead Sea Schroll as important *MILESTONE* in my search

[@frankandstern8803]

Every man has a list of influential writers and thinkers that have influenced their thinking and scholarly explorations. Dr. Robert Eisenman is definately on my top ten list. Really got the wheels turning .

[@pragmaticcrystal]

Thank you

[@SAVANNAHEVENTS]

Brilliant of course. Thanks again, Dr. Tabor. But the only thing I still am left to wonder about with the strictly archaelogical/historical approach to scripture is the profound lack of metaphorical/symbolic analysis. Did not the OT writers for example, make use of metaphorical narrative to veil or cloak spiritual truths?

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

WOW ! ! ! This is SO NOT what I expected . . . incredible . . . I am believer, a Christ Follower, I am learning my Bible & the New Testament & have drawn a great deal of comfort from the discovery & translation from the dead sea scrolls . . . I do know who the brothers, James & John, are, the Sons of Zebedee, the Sons of Thunder . . . I know that Jesus had 4 half-brothers by Mary & Joseph, 2 of who were named James & Jude, this James becoming a Church leader. Hearing this from a non-Christian source, obviously extremely well versed in his field, indisputable & reputable . . . is indeed eye-opening, to say the least. I'm relieved that he likes Luke & his gospel & epistle, but Saul/Paul . . . wow, 13 books of the New Testament, that is mind-boggling - but it fits the narrative, Rome was in control, Rome was confident in their arrogance & Constantine had the influence, position & power to pull this off, just slight twists of scripture & you're reading by reflecting it in a mirror . . . he didn't convert to Christianity, until he had the gospel he could convert t -basically, if you can believe that!!! Thank you for this . . . every minute was absolutely worth listening to.

[@elainep8873]

This man says that Jesus was not attested to in anything besides gospels of different types however this is untrue. Markedly untrue. There is attestation in Josephus flavius. In the Jewish talmud he is written of although not in good light he was also written by the Roman historian Cornelius tacitus and the Roman historian Gaius Suetonius, and the philosopher Mara Serapion. The council put together of academicians who were mostly atheist or agnostic said the historicity of the life and death of Jesus were the best attested event of ancient history

[@raulfbustos2893]

That was a wonderful lecture

[@jansteinvonsquidmeirsteen2256]

47m-- Amen! It doesn't come from scripture. It's in my soul.

[@laynehermansen7670]

The last ten minutes starting at 50 minutes was the best!