In today’s study, Selwyn discusses Pharisaism – perhaps, if I can first say a few things about Pharisees. At the time of Jesus, and while the temple in Jerusalem was still standing; we know from historians like Josephus that ‘the Pharisees were considered the most expert and accurate expositors of Jewish law’. A point to keep in mind is that debate about the interpretation of Jewish law within the group, was active and there were often different schools of thought within their ranks – usually centred on the leading rabbis (e.g Hillel, Shammai), of that era. The point I’m making, is that there were a range of views held within the group – Jesus was highlighting the problems with some views; and, a number of scholars now agree, that some Pharisees would not have had a major concern regarding Jesus’ viewpoint, on Jewish law.
In discussing issues like this one, it’s important that we don’t become legalistic ourselves. [As an aside, I find it hard to understand why there are still pockets of people who dislike Jews, or for that matter, different Christian denominations. People, who express a general 'dislike' against members of groups that are different to theirs - are doing the work of Satan.]
Selwyn writes: “Those who take the escape route of superior attitudes are in essence really no different from (those) Pharisees whom Jesus so roundly challenged. It is interesting to note that many secular training manuals on counselling refer to a defence mechanism – what we call an escape route – which they term ‘Pharisaism’. This is how one such manual describes it: ‘Pharisaism occurs when an individual becomes increasingly self-righteous (thinking themselves better than others because of what they do or don’t do religiously) to avoid becoming aware of their own feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.’
These words from Luke 11:39-42,52 (NIV), provide an excellent summary of what Jesus was condemning: ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you – be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. … Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering. … “
These people were keen to parade their ’purity’ in public, while their hearts were full of greed and wickedness. I think, it’s exactly the same today; people are very keen to demonstrate their ‘political correctness’, but their hearts are full of anger, greed and lust.
Do you agree?
The evil of Pharisaism
In today’s study, Selwyn discusses Pharisaism – perhaps, if I can first say a few things about Pharisees. At the time of Jesus, and while the temple in Jerusalem was still standing; we know from historians like Josephus that ‘the Pharisees were considered the most expert and accurate expositors of Jewish law’. A point to keep in mind is that debate about the interpretation of Jewish law within the group, was active and there were often different schools of thought within their ranks – usually centred on the leading rabbis (e.g Hillel, Shammai), of that era. The point I’m making, is that there were a range of views held within the group – Jesus was highlighting the problems with some views; and, a number of scholars now agree, that some Pharisees would not have had a major concern regarding Jesus’ viewpoint, on Jewish law.
In discussing issues like this one, it’s important that we don’t become legalistic ourselves. [As an aside, I find it hard to understand why there are still pockets of people who dislike Jews, or for that matter, different Christian denominations. People, who express a general 'dislike' against members of groups that are different to theirs - are doing the work of Satan.]
Selwyn writes: “Those who take the escape route of superior attitudes are in essence really no different from (those) Pharisees whom Jesus so roundly challenged. It is interesting to note that many secular training manuals on counselling refer to a defence mechanism – what we call an escape route – which they term ‘Pharisaism’. This is how one such manual describes it: ‘Pharisaism occurs when an individual becomes increasingly self-righteous (thinking themselves better than others because of what they do or don’t do religiously) to avoid becoming aware of their own feelings of inadequacy or inferiority.’
These words from Luke 11:39-42,52 (NIV), provide an excellent summary of what Jesus was condemning: ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You foolish people! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? But now as for what is inside you – be generous to the poor, and everything will be clean for you. Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. … Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering. … “
These people were keen to parade their ’purity’ in public, while their hearts were full of greed and wickedness. I think, it’s exactly the same today; people are very keen to demonstrate their ‘political correctness’, but their hearts are full of anger, greed and lust.
Do you agree?