A Critical Comparison of the Dualism in 1QS III, 13–IV, 26 and the ‘Dualism’ Contained in the Fourth Gospel

Qumran dualism and its possible relation to Johannine ‘dualism’ has been a subject of considerable interest and discussion. In the light of recent studies and with the subsidence of the Qumran fever, the time may be opportune for a fresh assessment of the evidence. In this paper we shall confine ourselves to the crucial passage in IQS iii, 13–iv, 26. After examining the type of dualism reflected there, we shall proceed first to investigate the Johannine ‘dualism’ sepqrately, secondly to draw comparisons and contrasts, and finally to ask whether we are thereby led to any conclusions about the provenance of the Johannine tradition.