A Way in the Wilderness
by
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The Gospel of Mark Chapter One verses 16-20 Jesus meets the fishermen who would become his followers. The "Way" referred to themselves as fishers for men in their writings. The phrase is taken from the biblical book of the prophet Habbakuk. It symbolizes the focus of the "Way," which was on the battle to bring mankind to the Light of Wisdom. They taught that this was the way to bring peace to Israel, not the fighting of the men of war which is never more than a temporary solution. After the publication of his book, the "Way," as symbolized by the fishermen in "Mark," chose Jesus Ben Sira as their leader. He became the "Teacher of Righteousness" in their writings. Jesus’ lessons on the obligation to reach out to the lost and guide them to the Light are echoed throughout the Dead Sea Scrolls. The "Way" believed that this was the essence of Judaism, a starting point for them to build on in their mission to bring peace to their nation and the world. Through Jesus Ben Sira's teachings that all people were potential children of Light, as derived from Isaiah's writings on the future worldwide acceptance of Judaism, the "Way" could set a goal of reaching everyone; which meant the Greeks of the Seleucid period as well as the Romans of "Mark" were fair game for their nets.
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About the Book
I first learned of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1959 in the first grade of Catholic elementary school. The excitement was unrivaled among the nuns who were our teachers. I remember being shown an article in a magazine brought to the classroom, calling this the most important discovery of the 20th century. That day in 1959 was the first and, very oddly, the last time I heard the scrolls mentioned in Catholic school; or really just about anywhere else.
At least, that is, until I happened upon an invitation to attend a seminar in 1992 that promised to provide a comprehensive examination and discussion of the scrolls. The seminar lasted 7 days. The desire it kindled in me to learn more about the scrolls motivated the more than 7 years of research that culminated in A Way in the Wilderness.
A A Way in the Wilderness is an attempt to answer and solve the mysteries associated with the scrolls. In so doing, I believe, great insight can be gained into Judaism and Christianity in the ancient world, as well as our own; and a portrait of our Lord Jesus Christ, more detailed and complete than any perhaps previously attempted emerges.
About the Author
The author was born in 1953 and raised in Northern Kentucky near the banks of the Ohio river. He spent his early childhood living adjacent to a large virgin hardwood forest. His days were often spent exploring and marveling at his mysterious neighbor so densely packed with life. Its magnificent oaks, maples, etc., engendered such reverence that his first playmates and he commonly referred to it as “our church.”
His manmade church, however, was the Roman Catholic faith. As a child he loved the mystery and beauty of the Latin mass. It was a real tragedy for him when the switch was made to all-English services. The changes made him question just what was really sacred.
He experienced everything that has come to symbolize the decade of the 1960’s during his teenage years. It was then that he began a more inward search for spirituality, investigating various religions and philosophers. His first great literary love was, not surprisingly, the works of Thoreau. His A Week on the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, containing page after page of his descriptions of the virgin hardwood forest in New England, often simply overwhelmed him with warm familiarity.
The war, attitudes about our leaders, even styles in dress and music were so unsettling during this time. Not only did the Catholic Church change, but also his dear forest was cleared and altered beyond any recognition. What was really important became a central issue.
Perhaps that is why he was drawn to study the turbulent times that gave birth to Christianity and the gospels.