Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit in Granite Bay

Rocklin, Calif.- –  William Jessup University’s Academic Dean, Dr. David Nystrom and Professor of Bible & Theology and History, Dr. Merilyn Copland have been selected as guest lecturers for the Dead Sea Scroll exhibit coming to Bayside Church in Granite Bay from April 8 to May 15. 

In conjunction with Azusa Pacific University, Bayside Church will host an exhibit that is one of only a handful of exhibits of its kind in the United States. 

The exhibit will include some of the earliest discovered Dead Sea Scrolls and also present parts of the oldest Greek New Testament papyri, as well as pages from medieval and early printed Bibles. 

In addition to the Biblical pieces, there will be several archaeological artifacts throughout the exhibit that highlight life in the region during the period of time when the scrolls were written. 

Nystrom and Copland were requested to speak as local experts and guest lecturers for the exhibit largely due to their expertise in these arenas.

Dr. Nystrom is an active scholar who has published work on a variety of topics, including the teaching of Jesus, the historical Jesus, the Gospel of John, Paul, James, women in the New Testament, and Josephus.

Nystrom also published numerous articles on the New Testament, Roman history and the history of Christianity. He is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, a Fellow of the Institute for Biblical Research, a member of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies, and a member of the North American Patristics Society.

Dr. Copland currently teaches a course at William Jessup entitled, History & Literature of Intertestament period (Dead Sea Scrolls).

She has extensive knowledge and expertise in the areas of Old Testament, biblical archaeology, biblical backgrounds, Hebrew language and literature, Greek language and literature, Egyptology, Near Eastern archaeology, Classical archaeology, women in the Bible and the Early Church, Islam, Middle Eastern History, Medieval History, and the Seven Churches of Revelation.

Copland is a member of the Evangelical Theological Society, Biblical Archaeology Society, and Near Eastern Studies Society. She also serves as a board member for the University of the Holy Lands and Becoming What God Intended Ministries.

She also plans to lead a tour of the Holy Land, open to students and the public from June 6-20.

During the exhibit, the pair will provide two public lectures each, open to the public and slotted for 7-8 p.m. Dr. Nystrom will discuss the political, social and cultural aspects of First Century Palestine. In addition, Nystrom will also provide a reflection on the broader perspectives of the exhibit encompassing various translations, politics, and philosophies.

Copland is also a featured speaker at the exhibits gala dinner event scheduled for April 9. The focus of her public lectures looks at the exciting discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Her second examines the relationship between the Dead Sea Scrolls and the New Testament.