Deacon brings Dead Sea Scrolls to life_10603

Posted: 10/3/03

Deacon brings Dead Sea Scrolls to life

By George Henson

Staff Writer

BLUM–Aubrey Richardson has a passion for archaeology, in particular the Dead Sea Scrolls. But the thing he wants most to bring to light is that the Bible is accurate and worthy of faith.

Richardson, a deacon at First Baptist Church in Blum, misses most of the Sunday night services there because he's usually in another church teaching about the Essenes of Qumran, the originators of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Aubrey Richardson, dressed as an Essene, leads a seminar on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

A retired engineer with Lockheed-Martin, he spent seven years in Israel. During much of that time, he devoted his weekends, holidays and vacation days to working with an Israeli archaeologist on digs, many around the famed site of Qumran.

His passion was so fueled that he led fund-raising efforts to obtain seismic and ground penetrating radar surveys of the Qumran plateau. The data accumulated from those tests influenced Israel's Department of Antiquities to reopen Qumran for archeological investigation and exploration after 45 years without new exploration.

Because of his help in the beginning stages, Richardson was invited back last year when exploration began anew. Uncovered was a 2,000-year-old kitchen, complete with a storage area and cooking vessels.

This experience has given him a knowledge base he wants to share with other Christians–a knowledge he hopes goes far beyond meeting an interest in archaeology of biblical lands.

“There seems to be quite an interest in the Dead Sea Scrolls, but I want to broaden that interest to share about the Essenes and their beliefs and life and relate it back to the Bible,” he explained. “My goal is to increase people's faith in their Bible and to relate how God has preserved these things through all this time to attest to the Bible's accuracy.”

Richardson knows some people doubt the Bible's accuracy in some areas, but he believes what he has learned through archaeology gives scientific proof to refute such doubts.

For instance, some skeptics doubt there was a reign by a King David. But archaeological evidence now describes the armies of a King David.

“What I really want to do is build up people's faith in the Scriptures,” Richardson said.

He does that through a 40-minute presentation in which he plays the role an Essene scribe, shows a short film of Essene life and then comes back as himself to show a variety of archeological objects.

Included in his presentation are a copy of the oldest Isaiah scroll, an ancient belt or sash he uncovered in the marl just below the Qumran plateau, pottery shards, a Roman arrowhead believed to be from about 65 A.D., and his greatest prize–the Torah on a three-foot high scroll. He never has fully extended the scroll made of animal skins sewn together, but he is sure it would be more than 100 feet long.

Richardson's ministry of sharing his knowledge with churches has taken off since April. He spends as many as three Sunday nights a month making his presentations, which several pastors say have been well received.

Allan Lane, pastor of Fort Graham Baptist Church in Whitney, said: “It is indeed a sensitively orchestrated balance of archaeology, the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Bible. The interactive venue intrigued the inquisitive minds of our congregation into further study and research.”

John Carl, pastor of First Baptist Church in Whitney, said: “His reputation preceded him, and our house was much fuller than usual for a Sunday evening. I think Brother Richardson's presentation would be well received by any church congregation that holds curiosity for the textual history of the Bible and the people of Bible days.”

Richardson's own pastor, Sammy Simmons, likewise was impressed. “His grasp of the material presented, love of the land of the Bible and personal experiences as a volunteer in archaeology offer a unique perspective,” Simmons said.

For more information, call (254) 694-5847.