What think ye? :)

daq said:

Yes, I know that, (and that is why I "liked" your post on the same topic several days back). I did like the way the author of your article made the distinction between the Qumran Essenes and the more general Essene population within the population. Your recent comments there are also appreciated in that indeed Paul seems to have been quite familiar with stricter Qumranite Essene, (Zadokite) theology but that still does not mean one should throw the baby out with the bath water. The Qumranites did not have all the correct understanding but neither did anyone else. The Torah kept them "between the lines" until Messiah came and expounded all, as Paul also alludes in some places, and when Messiah came no doubt many Essenes, Ebionites, and likewise some of the more rigid Qumran Essenes became Messianics. The northerners were probably more of the Nazar-Essene "floating" sub-population group within the population. This may also be why we do not find a literal city called Nazaret anywhere until about the second or third century; Nazaret is a "moving target", a subset population group or "city" of people within the greater population group, (as well as being a frame of mind).
.
.

Click to expand...

Hoshiyya said:

The distinction between insular and urban Essenes was an "aha" moment for me as well. I haven't investigated the historicity of Nazareth, so I can't comment there.

You see a connection between Qumran and the Sadducees ?

Click to expand...