A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

From the preacher who signs his name after everything he says on FB, so to remind that his quotes are trademarked :) :

* The "Old Pharisee" claimed to obey the letter of the law while finding loopholes to disobey the spirit of it.
* The "New Pharisee" claims to obey the spirit of the law while finding loopholes to disobey every letter of it.
(Rob McKee)

Do you agree? Disagree? Is he missing the whole concept of who Pharisees were? Is there really an "old" and "new" Pharisee? What say you?

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

I think the "new" pharisees are the same as the "old" ones with an over emphasis on the external.

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

9 And he (Jesus) spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
Luke 18:9-14

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

Then Jesus spoke to the people and to his followers. Jesus said, "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees have the authority (power) to tell you what the law of Moses says. So you should obey the things they say. You should do all the things they tell you to do. But their lives are not good examples for you to follow. They tell you to do things, but they don't do those things themselves." (ERV)
Matthew 23:1-3

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

So the question then becomes: Did Jesus fulfill the "seat of Moses?" Was it he who sat in that seat once for all? After all, we don't do the things the Pharisees commanded anymore (some of us don't). What was the "seat of Moses?" Why was Christ supporting their authority?

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

Pentecost is sounding more and more like one long commercial jingle

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

Interesting.

Many leaders seem to look interpret:

"Heb 13:17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you. "

... to mean you must listen to them and abide by their rules (whatever they might be), period. But what it really seems to say (and it properly lines up with Matt 23:1-3) is that we are to obey our spiritual leaders as long as they are teachings us sound biblical doctrine.

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

He was supporting their authority, as long as they taught the law which was delivered to Moses.

He didn't support them adding to, or taking away...

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

God still refers to shepherds as authorities.15And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.

16For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

17Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.
Zacharia 11
We still follow authority. You may check the bible. We are in a different dispensation. They cover it in a good home bible study.

Re: A new twist on "Phariseeism?"
 

Where do you see that qualification?

Matt 23:1-5 "Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do to be seen by men."

Many argue here that the only issue is that they were hypocrites. I find that point to be near-sighted with the overall historical context of the Pharisees. Later Jesus rebukes them for their "traditions of men" taking the place of and hiding the commandments of God.

Then there are these rebukes:
Matt 15:14 "They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."

Acts 15:10-11 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"


Matt 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in."

Mark 7:5-7 He answered and said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'