Academic Seminar – 20th November // Prof. Gary Rendsburg – “Why the Dead Sea Scrolls Matter”
Academic seminars focus on early-stage research on questions at the intersection of Christian faith and scholarly enquiry. They are intended to be exploratory, generative for both presenter and participants, and accessible across disciplines.
Seminars run from 2-3pm, On most Fridays during the weeks of the University of Oxford’s full term
You are warmly invited to join us beforehand for community worship at 12.30pm and lunch in the Manor house (1-2pm).
Abstract:
The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls now almost eighty years ago revolutionized the study of early Judaism and early Christianity. But the real significance of that study has come into greater focus only in more recent years, as scholars now realize the even greater extent to which earliest Christianity was indebted to its Jewish roots. Perhaps even more significantly, research into the Dead Sea Scrolls has brought the worlds of Jewish studies and Christian studies ever closer, with the best possible outcome, namely, a deeper understanding of the mutual traditions.
About the speaker:
Gary A. Rendsburg is a professor of biblical studies, Hebrew language, and ancient Judaism at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. He holds the rank of Distinguished Professor and serves as the Blanche and Irving Laurie Chair of Jewish History at Rutgers University (2004–present), with positions in the Department of Jewish Studies and the Department of History.
Prior to teaching at Rutgers, Rendsburg taught for 18 years at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. and for six years at Canisius College in Buffalo, N.Y.
(Bio taken from Wikipedia see also Gary’s Rutgers University profile)
Registration is not required to attend the seminar, but is needed if you want to book in for the free lunch.
Date
20th November 2026
Time
14:00 - 15:00
Price
Free (including lunch)
Speaker
Professor Gary Rendsburg
