I understand that currently there is a group of Karaites who claim to be the only true descendents of "The Chosen" and they adhere to the Torah only. They seemed to have separated from phariseical judaism in the eighth century and have lived in Russia for most of their history. I read that they were descended from the Ananites.
I have also heard that the word Jew was not to be found in the Old or New Testament until the KJV was published. I heard that translating Jerusaleum and Judeans and related terms was so clumsy due to the I/J that they just gave up and called those people with connections to the Israelites that llived under Roman rule and worshipped at the Temple in Jerusaleum,Jews. I find this all fascinating because I have gotten real stuck on quite a few things that make no sense to me with the new license taken with everyone and anyone interpreting and translating and revisiting everything and anything.
Do you know what definition and import the terms temple and synogogue have on our understanding of religion at the time Christ came? How about now?
I think my interest was piqued on this recently when some Catholic Church bishops came out with a draft saying the "Old Covenant" is still in effect,which seemed worth thinking about. but that led me to the question of "OK,but with who?"Any thoughts or information would be appreciated. Thanks.
The closest I can think of would probably be the Sadducees. They rejected the Pharisaic idea of an Oral Law.
I have also heard that the word Jew was not to be found in the Old or New Testament until the KJV was published.
That is inaccurate. The word yehudi, or Jew, occurs in both Zechariah and Esther, and a variation occurs in Jeremiah.
Do you know what definition and import the terms temple and synogogue have on our understanding of religion at the time Christ came? How about now?
The "temple" in 1st century usage referred only to the temple in Jerusalem. Synagogues, then and now, referred to local places of study and worship. Animal sacrifices were made only in the temple, not in the synagogue.
Reform and some Conservative congregations do use the term "temple" to refer to their houses of worship, but technically this is an incorrect usage. The local synagogue didn't and doesn't replace the temple.
I think my interest was piqued on this recently when some Catholic Church bishops came out with a draft saying the "Old Covenant" is still in effect,which seemed worth thinking about. but that led me to the question of "OK,but with who?"
Depends who you ask. Most people would say "with the Jews". But some messianic Christians would say that it is in effect as well for those who have been "grafted into" Israel.
Catholic Catechism
121 The Old Testament is an indispensable part of Sacred Scripture. Its books are divinely inspired and retain a permanent value, for the Old Covenant has never been revoked.
When the Old Testament was written there were no Christians.
IOW, I dunno, but I imagine the "New Covenant" applys to Christians only and the "Old Covenant" applys to all of us in some way.