FAITH
Friday, September 23, 2016
East Oregonian
Page 7A
Scanning software deciphers ancient scroll
By DANIEL ESTRIN
Associated Press
JERUSALEM
—
The charred lump of a
2,000-year-old scroll sat in an
Israeli archaeologist’s store-
room for decades, too brittle
to open. Now, new imaging
technology has revealed
what was written inside: the
earliest evidence of a biblical
text in its standardized form.
The passages from the
Book of Leviticus, scholars
say, offer the irst physical
evidence of what has long
been believed: that the
version of the Hebrew Bible
used today goes back 2,000
years.
The discovery, announced
in a Science Advances
journal article by researchers
in Kentucky and Jerusalem
on Wednesday, was made
using “virtual unwrapping,”
a 3D digital analysis of an
X-ray scan. Researchers say
it is the irst time they have
been able to read the text
of an ancient scroll without
having to physically open it.
“You can’t imagine the
joy in the lab,” said Pnina
Shor of the Israel Antiquities
Authority, who participated
in the study.
The digital technology,
funded by Google and
the U.S. National Science
Foundation, is slated to be
released to the public as open
source software by the end of
next year.
Researchers hope to use
the technology to peek inside
other ancient documents too
fragile to unwrap, like some
of the Dead Sea Scrolls and
papyrus scrolls carbon-
ized in the Mt. Vesuvius
volcano eruption in 79 CE.
Researchers believe the tech-
nology could also be applied
to the ields of forensics,
intelligence, and antiquities
conservation.
The biblical scroll exam-
ined in the study was irst
discovered by archaeologists
in 1970 at Ein Gedi, the site
of an ancient Jewish commu-
nity near the Dead Sea. Inside
Israel Antiquities Authority via AP
This undated photo released by the Israel Antiquities
Authority shows an ancient charred scroll destroyed in
a ire centuries ago. The 3D analysis is the irst time
experts say they have been able to read the text of an
ancient scroll without having to physically open it.
the ancient synagogue’s ark,
archaeologists found lumps
of scroll fragments.
The synagogue was
destroyed in an ancient ire,
charring the scrolls. The
dry climate of the area kept
them preserved, but when
archaeologists touched them,
the scrolls would begin to
disintegrate. So the charred
logs were shelved for nearly
half a century, with no one
knowing what was written
inside.
Last year, Yosef Porath,
the
archaeologist
who
excavated at Ein Gedi in
1970, walked into the Israel
Antiquities Authority’s Dead
Sea Scrolls preservation lab
in Jerusalem with boxes of
the charcoal chunks. The lab
has been creating hi-resolu-
tion images of the Dead Sea
Scrolls, the earliest copies of
biblical texts ever discovered,
and he asked researchers to
scan the burned scrolls.
“I looked at him and said,
‘you must be joking,’” said
Shor, who heads the lab.
She agreed, and a number
of burned scrolls were
scanned using X-ray-based
micro-computed
tomog-
raphy, a 3D version of the CT
scans hospitals use to create
images of internal body
parts. The images were then
sent to William Brent Seales,
a researcher in the computer
science department of the
University of Kentucky.
Only one of the scrolls could
be deciphered.
Using the “virtual unwrap-
ping” technology, he and his
team painstakingly captured
the three-dimensional shape
of the scroll’s layers, using
a digital triangulated surface
mesh to make a virtual
rendering of the parts they
suspected contained text.
They then searched for pixels
that could signify ink made
with a dense material like iron
or lead. The researchers then
used computer modeling to
virtually latten the scroll, to
be able to read a few columns
of text inside.
“Not only were you seeing
writing, but it was readable,”
said Seales. “At that point we
were absolutely jubilant.”
The researchers say it is
the irst time a biblical scroll
has been discovered in an
ancient synagogue’s holy
ark, where it would have
been stored for prayers, and
not in desert caves like the
Dead Sea Scrolls.
The discovery holds great
signiicance for scholars’
understanding of the devel-
opment of the Hebrew Bible,
researchers say.
In ancient times, many
versions of the Hebrew Bible
circulated. The Dead Sea
Scrolls, dating to as early
as the 3rd century B.C.,
featured versions of the text
that are radically different
than today’s Hebrew Bible.
Scholars have believed the
Hebrew Bible in its standard
form irst came about some
2,000 years ago, but never
had physical proof, until
now, according to the study.
Previously the oldest known
fragments of the modern
biblical text dated back to the
8th century.
The text discovered in
the charred Ein Gedi scroll
is “100 percent identical” to
the version of the Book of
Leviticus that has been in use
for centuries, said Dead Sea
Scroll scholar Emmanuel
Tov from the Hebrew
University of Jerusalem, who
participated in the study.
“This is quite amazing for
us,” he said. “In 2,000 years,
this text has not changed.”
Noam Mizrahi, a Dead
Sea Scrolls expert at Tel
Aviv University who did not
participate in the study, called
it a “very, very nice ind.” He
said the imaging technology
holds great potential for more
readings of unopened Dead
Sea Scrolls.
Community
First United
Methodist Church
Pendleton/Hermiston
352 SE 2nd Street, Pendleton OR
Sunday Worship 9am • 541-276-2616
191 E. Gladys Ave, Hermiston OR
Worship Broadcast on KUMA 1290 @ 11am
Sunday Worship 11am
541-567-3002
Worship Livestream at herfumc.com
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Rev. Dr. Jim Pierce, pastor
P eace L utheran C hurch
210 NW 9th, Pendleton
ELCA
Faith Center Church
Worshiping God
~Come and be at Peace ~
Loving People
108 S. Main • 276-9569
Sunday School 9:30 am
Sunday Worship 10:30 am
Sr. Pastor,
Ray O’Grady
on 1290 KUMA noon each Sunday
pendletonfaithcenter.org
NEW HOPE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Seventh-Day
Adventist
Church
Join us Sundays
9:30
Sunday
Worship
9:30
am am
Sunday
Worship
10:30 am Fellowship
11:00 am Sunday School
& Adult Class
1350 S. Highway 395,
Hermiston
Sunday Worship Services
English- Pastor Dave Andrus
9:00 & 10:45 am
Spanish- Pastor Genaro Loredo
9:00 & 10:15 am
Classes for kids during all
services
For more information call
541-567-8441
Community
Presbyterian Church
Saturday Services
Pendleton
1401 SW Goodwin Place
276-0882
Sabbath School 9:20 am
Worship Service 10:45 am
St. Johns
Episcopal Church
Join Us
On Our Journey
With Jesus.
14 Martin Drive,
Umatilla, OR
922-3250
Scripture, Tradition and Reason
Worship: 10 AM
Sunday School at 11:30
N.E. Gladys Ave & 7th, Hermiston
Fr. Dan Lediard, Priest. PH: 567-6672
We are an all inclusive Church
who welcomes all.
Family service 9am Sunday
Grace Baptist Church
555 SW 11th, Hermiston
567-9497
Nursery provided for all
services
Sunday School - 9:30 AM
Worship - 10:45 AM
6:00 pm
Wed Prayer & Worship -
7:00 PM
“Proclaiming God’s word,
growing in God’s grace”
Redeemer
Episcopal
Church
BOARDMAN’S LIMEY PASTOR
Norwegians, Norwegians
I
t was a God
anybody more
moment early in
Lutheran than a
the morning this
Norwegian. It was
a delight and an
last Sunday; a tingle
honor to meet these
down the spine, a
far-traveling faithful.
shortcut to blessing.
I didn’t think
I opened the door of
that the Norwegians
my car, and Peggy
were members of
the Innkeeper came
Colin
the royals, here
toward me.
Brown
visiting in the land
“You’re a pastor,
Faith
of windmills and
a Lutheran pastor?”
potatoes, and they
she asked.
weren’t. They were two
“Yes,” I said, “I am.”
married couples, and one
“There are Norwegians
son, Johannes. They were
here — and they want to go
farming families who had
to church today!” she said.
obviously recognized the
She pointed to some very
agrarian lavor of Boardman
tall people who also looked
traveling through and felt
quite rugged behind her.
the call of a Lutheran church
For a Lutheran pastor
that must be hiding on of a
in Boardman, this was an
slope on Locust Road.
amazing thing. Until just
I felt very gifted to have
recently Lutheranism was
these guests show up at our
the state religion of Norway
church. Their English was
and Norway’s royal family
pretty good — 1,000 percent
had to be Lutheran by law.
better than our lock’s
Lutheranism had provided
Norwegian — but I slowed
the soul formation of pretty
my sermon down when I
much everyone in their
saw their brows furrow. I
population. You can’t get
repressed any Viking jokes
that came to mind, as jokes
can be taken the wrong way
in translation. They seemed
to like the service. They said
that in their culture many
more people participated
in the actions, standing
up and reading texts, and
playing roles in the service.
It appears more casual there
than we are used to.
Afterwards, we had
Church Council. There
was a discussion about the
assisted living development
on our land I discussed in
this column last week. It was
agreed to move forward with
discussions with the city,
which has an interest in this
idea. It is like watching a
photograph develop. Slowly
things begin to move, much
like God moves nature,
irst to shed seeds, then to
begin developing tiny roots
in the soil. The need for
such a thing, the demand
of that need that calls from
the future is God’s way of
working. A teacher of mine
said that it is a future baby’s
need to enter existence that
pulls a couple together, a
God’s eye way of looking
at things with the dream
and the promise being the
foreshadowing of the spirit’s
movement into the world.
Joe Taylor, our treasurer
and port commissioner
who happens to be a farmer
himself, was ecstatic to meet
the Norwegian farmers.
He took them away to see
his farm and show them
the city, creating a future
international relationship,
planting a seed.
I remembered Paul’s
verse in Hebrews 2:
“Do not forget to show
hospitality to strangers, for
by so doing some people
have shown hospitality to
angels without knowing it.”
(NIV)
■
Colin Brown is the pastor
of Boardman’s Good Shep-
herd Lutheran Church.
IRRIGON — A country
gospel singer from Joplin,
Missouri, will perform at
Columbia View Community
Church in Irrigon.
Eldon Potts will sing
Saturday at 7 p.m. at 1230
Highway 730, Irrigon.
There’s no admission charge
and everyone is welcome.
The musician is said
to present a unique style
of country gospel, which
appeals to everyone. Potts,
who has a degree from
Ozark Bible College, shares
in word and song. Potts and
his wife, Sue, have worked
with Christ To The Nations
Ministries, mainly in the
Philippines.
For more information,
call the church at 541-922-
4531.
Catholic church to
serve Polish dinner
HERMISTON — In
recognition of Saint John
Paul II and to raise money
for the building fund, Our
Lady of Angels Catholic
Church will host a traditional
Polish dinner.
The menu includes Polish
sausage, appetizers, soup,
cucumber salad, tossed
salad, dumplings, meatballs
and traditional Polish
desserts. Open to adults only,
the dinner is Saturday, Oct.
1 with the doors opening at
7 p.m. in the church’s parish
hall, 565 W. Hermiston Ave.,
Hermiston. Tickets are $15.
Tickets will only be
sold in advance. For more
information, stop by
the church ofice or call
541-567-5812.
Peace Lutheran
hosts animal
blessing
PENDLETON — In
celebration of the Feast Day
of St. Francis, people are
invited to have their animals
blessed.
St. Francis of Assisi is the
patron of animals, merchants
and ecology. Known for
his kindness to all people
and creatures, his life is
commemorated by Catholics
and others each year in
October.
A Blessing of the Animals
is planned Sunday, Oct.
2 at 3 p.m. on the lawn at
Peace Lutheran Church, 210
N.W. Ninth St., Pendleton.
Everyone is invited to bring
a pet on a leash, in a cage,
carrier or trailer. For those
that can’t transport their
pet, bring a photo or plush
version for the blessing.
For more information,
visit www.facebook.com/
events/1302764383081713.
Hermiston
church plans
Hymnspiration
HERMISTON — A time
of singing with old an new
friends is planned at New
Hope Community Church.
The Hymnspiration is
Sunday, Oct. 2 from 6-7
p.m. at 1350 S. Highway
241 SE Second St. Pendleton
(541)276-3809
www.pendletonepiscopal.org
Sunday Holy Communion 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday Holy Communion Noon
Weekly Adults Spiritual Life Group
All Are Welcome
Come meet Jesus at
OPEN HEARTS – OPEN DOOR
www.graceandmercylutheran.org
Sunday Worship 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School 10:00 a.m. (Nursery
Provided)
Fellowship, Refreshments & Sunday School
Check Out our Facebook Page or Website
for More Information
541-289-4535
Tom Inch, Pastor
Grace and Mercy Lutheran Church, ELCA
164 E. Main St. / P.O. Box 1108
Hermiston, Oregon 97838
PENDLETON BAPTIST
CHURCH
3202 SW Nye Ave Pendleton, OR
541-276-7590
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 AM
Sunday Bible Classes 9:45 AM
Sunday Youth Group 6:00 PM
Mon. Community Women’s Study
9:30 AM & 6 PM
Awana Kids Club (K-6th grade)
Wed Men’s Study 6 PM
MOPS meeting the 1st Thur of the Month 6 PM
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH
-Presbyterian Church (USA)-
201 SW Dorion Ave.
Pendleton
Service of Worship - 10:00 am
Children’s Sunday School -
10:20 am
Fellowship - 11:00 am
www.pendletonpresbyterian.com
Open Hearted...
Open Minded
FIRST SERVICE 8:30 AM
SECOND SERVICE 10:30 AM
712 SW 27 TH ST.
541-276-1894
www.fcogpendleton.com
FAITH LUTHERAN
CHURCH
in Mission for Christ LCMC
Bible Study.........9:00 AM
Sunday Worship......10:30 AM
Red Lion Hotel
( Oregon Trail Room )
www.faithpendleton.org
BRIEFLY
Free concert
features gospel
singer
585 SW Birch,
Pilot Rock, OR 97868
(541) 443-2500
prbconline.blogspot.com
Sunday School: 9:30 am
Worship Service: 10:45 am
Kids’ Club: 6:00 pm
Wednesday Services:
Youth Group: 7:00 pm
395, Hermiston. Everyone is
invited to attend.
For more information,
call 541-567-8441.
M-F church
embarks on
Biblical journey
MILTON-FREEWATER
— A Milton-Freewater
church plans to take a
Biblical journey in learning
more about God’s word.
Using “The Story,”
a Zondervan best seller,
readers can better understand
the Bible from Genesis
to Revelation. Rev. Steve
Lyons said some people are
intimidated by the scope and
size of the Bible and “The
Story” provides a simpler
way to learn more about
God.
The 31-week program
begins Sunday at 10:45
a.m. at the church, 518 S.
Main St., Milton-Freewater.
For more information, call
541-938-3854 or visit www.
miltonfreewatercc.com.
Sunday Worship
10:00am
Wednesday Bible Study
6:00pm
Youth Classes:
Nursery - 6th grade Sun & Wed
Jr & Sr High Discipleship Program Wed
Overcomer’s Outreach
Tuesday at 6:00pm - Annex
A Christ-centered, 12-Step
Recovery Support Group
Pastor Sharon Miller
401 Northgate, Pendleton
541-278-8082
www.livingwordcc.com
To share your worship times call
Terri Briggs
541-278-2678