Årstein Justnes

Årstein Justnes is a Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Agder's Department of Religion, Philosophy and History. He holds a Dr. theol. (2007), cand. mag. (1999), and cand. theol. (1994). His academic leadership roles include Vice Dean (2017–2019), Acting Dean (2017), and Head of Department (2007–2011).

Research focuses on Dead Sea Scrolls provenance, manuscript forgery, digital humanities, and ancient languages. Key projects include the Toppforsk-funded 'The Lying Pen of Scribes' (2019–2024), analyzing unprovenanced fragments and forgery networks. He developed the Post-2002 Dead Sea Scrolls Database and published extensively on provenance ethics and forgery detection.

Teaching includes courses on sacred texts, world religions, and biblical theology. His mindfulness training (MBSR, 2012) informs work-life balance initiatives. Collaborations span global institutions, including National Geographic investigations into Museum of the Bible forgeries.

Professional membership includes Society of Biblical Literature, European Association of Biblical Studies, and Norwegian Non-Fiction Writers' Association. Recent activities include podcast series on Dead Sea Scrolls mysteries and public lectures on artifact authenticity.