Seminary secures additional fragments days before opening; 21 fragments will now be on display
FORT WORTH, TEXAS—June 28, 2012— One of the largest Dead Sea Scroll fragments ever to be on public display outside Israel will be available to view starting July 2, 2012, at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary’s exhibition, Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible: Ancient Artifacts, Timeless Treasures. From Genesis 37-38, the scroll fragment is owned by the Kando family of Bethlehem and is considered to be the largest Dead Sea Scroll segment held by a private collector. Never exhibited before, it is among the 21 fragments that will be on view at the seminary’s MacGorman Performing Arts Center through January 13, 2013.
In addition to this rare fragment, the Kando family recently provided on loan five other fragments for the exhibition. These fragments – Genesis 33, 1 Kings 13:22-22, Isaiah 28:23-29, Amos 7:17- 8:1 and Joel 3:9-10 – are in place for the grand opening on Monday, July 2, 2012. With these fragments, and others on loan from the Green Collection and The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Southwestern has increased the number of fragments on view from 16 to 21. Biblical passages from Nehemiah, Ezekiel, and Jonah are among the recent additions.
Many exhibition visitors may not recognize the significance of these loans and the number of fragments exhibited, particularly because Southwestern’s display is already one of the most comprehensive presentations of Dead Sea Scrolls to be hosted in the United States. However, archaeologists, historians, and other scholars are expected to visit Fort Worth and Dead Sea Scrolls & the Bible to view the Genesis fragment and the loaned items.
“The chance to view portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls usually requires an overseas trip to a Near East nation, such as Israel or Jordan,” said Bruce McCoy, exhibition director. “To be able to bring more than 20 fragments to Texas, including many fragments that are considered ‘blockbuster’ quality, is a privilege for the seminary and an exciting moment for the city of Fort Worth. We invite everyone to come see the scrolls.”
In addition to 21 Dead Sea Scroll fragments that will be on view, the exhibition will also showcase facsimiles illustrating the text of items found at the archaeological site in Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found—including the Isaiah scroll, the Habakkuk Commentary, and the Manual of Discipline. Rare artifacts, including a portion of a Gutenberg Bible, and a 1611 King James Bible, will showcase the transmission of Scripture from ancient to modern times.
The MacGorman Performing Arts Center is located at 4616 Stanley Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas. Exhibition hours are Monday – Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. Tickets range from $12 to $28, and are available for purchase on-site at Guest Services or online at SeeTheScrolls.com.