On the fourth floor of the Museum of the Bible, a sweeping permanent exhibit tells the story of how the ancient scripture became the world’s most popular book. A warmly lit sanctum at the exhibit’s heart reveals some of the museum’s most prized possessions: fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, ancient texts that include the oldest known surviving copies of the Hebrew Bible.
But now, the Washington, D.C. museum has confirmed a bitter truth about the fragments’ authenticity. On Friday, independent researchers funded by the Museum of the Bible announced that all 16 of the museum’s Dead Sea Scroll fragments are modern forgeries that duped outside collectors, the museum’s founder, and some of the world’s leading biblical scholars.
And as if finding the finding wasn't embarrassing enough, look at how the announcement was made:
Officials unveiled the findings at an academic conference hosted by the museum.
(https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/2020/03/museum-of-the-bible-dead-sea-scrolls-forgeries/)
Can't you just hear them now....... the gasps in the room, that is.
Wonder if anyone ran to the bathroom to hurl?
In all seriousness though....... HOW DOES SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN???????
Grace & Peace & Love to you all -
Matt