#14: A Kinder, Gentler Belial? The Damascus Document & Belial’s “Traps”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Email | RSS

In this episode, we discuss Belial’s role in the Damascus Document, an important rule text in the Dead Sea Scrolls.

What are the “traps” of Belial?
How did Belial (at least in the Damascus Document) “help” Qumran community members be more sympathetic towards outsiders?
And what happens when a Qumran member is “ruled by the spirits of Belial”?

Listen to find out!

10 Responses to "#14: A Kinder, Gentler Belial? The Damascus Document & Belial’s “Traps”"

Rocky says:

July 18, 2016 at 3:48 am

I guess from one aspect it seems the ancients weren’t much different than what can be seen & found in most modern religious settings today …
As far as accepted ( if your in )
And rejected ( if your not ).

Alas thank YHVH he is YHVH.
1. Miryam Brand says:
  
  July 18, 2016 at 1:19 pm
  
  Absolutely — my thoughts exactly! 🙂
Chris says:

August 20, 2016 at 10:38 pm

This “gentler” portrayal of Belial is an interesting twist for sure. It almost sounds like a harsher leader gained control the group at some point and consolidated it, forcing a greater wedge between them and the outside world. I don’t know enough about the history behind the Damascus Document to know if that makes sense though.
1. Miryam Brand says:
  
  September 4, 2016 at 8:25 pm
  
  Right. One major theory regarding the differences between the Damascus Document and the Community Rule is that they reflect different stages in the life of the sect. Anthropological studies have shown that shifts like that are not necessarily the doing of a single charismatic leader — it’s often the entire leadership or group that shifts. (Eyal Regev has written on precisely this topic.)
Sandra Iventosch says:

September 4, 2016 at 2:23 pm

Just a quick note to tell you how much I have enjoyed this series. Thank you!
1. Miryam Brand says:
  
  September 4, 2016 at 8:26 pm
  
  Thank you! I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus over the summer, but I’ll be back soon with new episodes!
2. Miryam Brand says:
  
  October 2, 2016 at 1:07 pm
  
  Thank you!
Erin Hunter says:

September 14, 2016 at 4:00 pm

I send encouragement to you all as we grow in understanding the truth from The Holy Spirit

Thanks for the informative presentation, I am definitely enjoying it!
Shalom
Kelli says:

October 20, 2016 at 7:36 pm

What’s it take to become a sublime exnuepdor of prose like yourself?
1. Miryam Brand says:
  
  October 20, 2016 at 8:31 pm
  
  If only I knew what an exnuepdor is, I could tell you! 🙂

Comments are closed.

Share this:

Related