simchat_torah said:
sola scriptura is a Greek declaration made by the protestants. Instead of basing theology off of what an individual (the pope) says, or off of tradition, they based theology soley off of scriptural principles. Thadman is making a play on words by making it sola scriptura Judaism, basically stating that he rejects Jewish traditions, halacha, etc.
Sola scriptura was really it's Protestant moniker, but the principle has been around a long time before the Protestant movement within Karaism. Other than that point, you've pretty much hit the nail on the head akhi.
The funny thing about Nehemiah Gordon (often seen as the leader of the movement, though technically there isn't one), and people like him, is that they do in fact make halacha, but out of the other side of their mouth they state halacha is evil. To me, the majority of Karaites are hypocritical in that nature.... creating their own halacha while 'rejecting all' of halacha.
just my 2 cents.
I love you, too Yafet
Nehemiah Gordon is the "leader" of the "World Karaite Movement," but is strictly anti-Messianic. Here's a sample of some email correspondence I've had with him as of late:
Shalom Steve,
I am responding to your querry.* I think I understand where you are coming from and I welcome a dialogue.* However, I want to make it clear that Karaites do not believe in Jesus or Yeshua.* Of course, we believe he existed and some such as myself even think he was a righteous man who pointed people to Torah.* However, we do not look to him as a Messiah or even a prophet.* If you can respect that this is a basic Karaite appraisal of the man, we can dialogue.* If you wish to re-define Karaism as a branch of Messianism or even to speak of Karaite Messianics (like Muslim Christians), then please do not waste my time.*
Nehemia
Seeing that I'm not going to get any help from him I've been setting up a Messianic Karaite website that will deal with the various issues in Karaism under a Messianic light.
http://www.AramaicNT.org/MessianicKaraites
When it comes to halacha, it is all a matter of semantics. To put things bluntly, Karaism rejects rabbinic traditions and believes that all practices should stem directly from scripture, not "scriptural principles" or the "sayings of the fathers," and leaves all interpretations up to the same scrutiny.
This does, as a result, allow for diversity of opinion, but we believe that it -should- be that way. Where Rabbinicism believes that there is a set definition of work on the Sabbath, a Karaite would simply say, "Don't work on the Sabbath! That's all God says!" because, face it: If an 8-year-old math whiz were to be doing math problems on a Friday night for recreation, he's not working. If I, someone who despises math, were to do the same, it would be drudgery!
In the end, we're all accountable to God and he knows the motives in our heart, so it's best not to "walk on the wild side" and simply do what he wants: Rest on the Sabbath.
Peace!
-Steve-o
) Toshav.
