Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls - Franciscan University Faith & Reason

2024 | 1 Season

Biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma and Franciscan University of Steubenville president Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, discuss the history and mysteries of the Dead Sea Scrolls, what they reveal about Jesus Christ, the sacraments, and the early Church, and why they matter to believers and non-believers today.

1. A Stunning Archaeological Find

The archeological find of the 20th century, the Dead Sea Scrolls give amazing insights into the world Jesus Christ lived and died in—and into the New Testament, early Church, and the Catholic faith today.

2. The Messiah is Coming

The Essene community at Qumran believed in and longed for the coming of a royal Messiah and a priestly Messiah.

3. Baptism and the Scrolls

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma explore the connections between St. John the Baptist, St. John the Apostle, and the sacrament of baptism in the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as how baptism makes each of us a child of God.

4. The Eucharist and the Scrolls

Essene life focused on their daily “Thanksgiving” meal. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma explore the Last Supper, the Mass, and the Eucharist in light of what the Dead Sea Scrolls tell us of the Essenes’ sacred meal.

5. Marriage, Celibacy, and the Scrolls

The Essenes, a community of celibate men, held a high view of marriage. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma discuss the Essenes’ practice of celibacy, the Book of Tobit, Jesus’ teachings on celibacy and marriage, and the attack on marriage today.

6. Holy Orders and the Scrolls

Offering sacrifice, mediating the forgiveness of sin, interpreting God’s law: The Dead Sea Scrolls have much to reveal about the role of the priesthood in the Essene community, but also about the priesthood of Jesus and the priesthood now. Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma explain Holy Orders as a natural development of Jewish and biblical patterns.

7. St. Paul and the Scrolls

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dr. John Bergsma discuss the many interesting connections between the writings of St. Paul and of the Essenes, as well as what they tell us about works, faith, justification, and why the Church was part of Jesus’ plan from the beginning.

8. Qumran and the Church

The Essenes played an important role in salvation history, even though there were many differences between their teachings and Christianity.

The greatest archeological discovery of the 20th century gave the world the Dead Sea Scrolls. As the oldest sacred documents of Judaism, the scrolls have many surprising connections to early Christianity.

Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls was produced by Franciscan University of Steubenville, in association with The Ministry of the Wild Goose and is based on the book Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity, written by Dr. John Bergsma.

Dr. John Bergsma

Dr. John Bergsma, author of Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity and cohost of the video series Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls, is a professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville. He served as a Protestant pastor for four years before entering the Catholic Church in 2001 while pursuing his PhD in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He is a popular speaker and widely published scholar who has written over a dozen books on Scripture and the Catholic faith, including Bible Basics for Catholics. Dr. John Bergsma has been featured on both the Franciscan University Presents episode Love Basics from Scripture and as a cohost for the series Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR ’89

Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, became president of Franciscan University of Steubenville on May 21, 2019. The well-known Catholic speaker and author graduated from Franciscan University with his BA in theology in 1989, then earned an MDiv, MA in theology, doctorate in education, and executive juris doctorate. A solemnly professed member of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Province of the Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Penance, Father Pivonka was ordained to the priesthood in 1996. Father Pivonka held leadership positions at Franciscan University from 1996-2008 including as vice president for Mission and Planning. For his province, he directed Post-Novitiate Formation (2008-2012) and Franciscan Pathways ministry (2012-2019). He has hosted multiple video series including The Wild Goose on the Holy Spirit, Sign of Contradiction on St. Francis of Assisi, Metanoia on conversion, and in 2024, 10th Hour Production’s My father’s Father on God the Father. He has written seven books, including Living Metanoia: Finding Freedom and Fulfillment in Christ (OSV, 2021) and his most recent, Joyful Sons and Daughters: Embracing the Father’s Love (Word Among Us, 2024). Father Pivonka also hosts Franciscan University Presents on EWTN and the In Person, In Focus, and the My father's Father series on Faith and Reason.