The Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls: The ... - josephprestonkirk

JÖRG FREY 453
the sectarian writings of Qumran, where the members of the community
are called “Sons of Light” and all others “Sons of Darkness” (cf. 1QS
1.9–11). Although Paul does not use the phrase “sons of darkness,” his
expression “works of the darkness” in Rom 13:12 strongly reminds one
of the dualistic opposition between light and darkness, which is prominent
in the sectarian texts from Qumran.
We can also show theological parallels between Paul and the Dead Sea
Scrolls. Chiefly, we can illustrate the Pauline notion of “sinful flesh” and
his view of justification by divine grace by citing impressive parallels from
the Qumran documents. 175 This most clearly appears in the hymn with
which the Rule of the Community (in 1QS) is concluded 176 :
However, I belong to evil humankind, to the assembly of unfaithful flesh
(lw( r#b); my failings, my iniquities, my sins with the depravities of my
heart let me belong to the assembly of worms and of those who walk in
darkness. (1QS 11.9–10)
A few lines after this confession of sins, the author praises the experience
of divine grace 177 :
As for me, if I stumble, the mercies of God shall be my salvation always,
and if I fall by the sin of the flesh (r#b Nww(b), in the justice of God, which
endures eternally, shall my judgment be; if my distress commences, he will
free my soul from the pit and make my steps steady on the path; he will
draw me near in his mercies, and by kindnesses set in motion my
judgment; he will judge me in the justice of his truth, and in his plentiful
goodness always atone for all my sins; in his justice he will cleanse me from
the uncleanness of the human being and from the sin of the sons of man,
so that I can give God thanks for his justice and The Highest for his
majesty. (1QS 11.11–15)
In this hymn and a number of parallels in the Thanksgiving Hymns, we
can see a far-reaching consciousness of sin. The author and the members
of the community reciting the hymns know that they are predestined
to participate in salvation even though they share the sinful lot of all
human beings. In spite of characteristic differences, 178 these texts show
175. On the Pauline notion of “flesh” and its background, see the articles mentioned
in n161 (above); on justification, cf. ibid., 602.
176. Translation according to Florentino García Martínez and Eibert J. C.
Tigchelaar, The Dead Sea Scrolls Study Edition (Leiden: Brill, 1997–1998), 1:97–99
(modified at the beginning of line 10).
177. Translation, ibid., 99 (modified in line 12).
178. Cf. Fitzmyer, “Paul and the DSS,” 604–5.