Christians: Are we Pharisees and Sadducees?

Question

Please defend your position in your own words. Thanks and peace to you.

Okay, what I mean is, have we fallen into the same errors as those two Jewish groups...the ones Jesus warned us to beware of...please be willing to do self examination. The faith depends on our being honest and not defensive. Jesus endured an awful lot of suffering for us...don't we owe him everything?

Answer 1

Some Christians are Pharisees and Sadducees, in the sense that they partake in the major vices that both Pharisees and Sadducees were known for; namely legalism and religious pretension. When men like Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and George W. Bush profess an avowed love for Christ and his principles, and then spew rhetoric of retaliation, they are merely using religion, much like the Pharisees and Sadducees, as a pretext to justify their hate and for the purposes of self-promotion. When men of their sort, harp on more about the immorality of such and such person and such and such group more than assisting the downtrodden, hungry, and destitute, they are concerning themselves more with the letter of the law than the spirit; thus being legalistic instead of loving.

Yet many Christians, like Mother Teresa and St. Francis of Assisi did not focus on the moral shortcomings of man as much as how much their fellow men needed physical sustenance and spiritual guidance. It is their commitment to nourishing both the soul and the body that makes them truly Christian.

In the final analysis, Christianity, just like any other group has those who behave hypocritically like the Pharisees and Sadducees, and then it has a small minority who behave in a truly Christ like way. Let’s all emulate the words of Abraham Lincoln when he said : “I don’t want to claim that God is on our side. I want to pray humbly that we are on God’s side.” In that quote lies the distinction between Pharisees, Sadducees, and authentic Christians.

Answer 2

In the sense that I believe in the resurrection, angel of the Lord and Spirit (Holy) I guess I would fall into Pharisee because the Sadducees believed in none of that. But from the standpoint of how I live my life, I aspire to not be puffed up, haughty, doing things as the Pharisees did to be seen; i.e. fasting and giving alms, etc. Pharisees represent the Christian who is all about the tradition and position rather than a true relationship with Christ.

Answer 3

Hi Kingdom Child,

it's kind of a strange question. i would say no because when Jesus spoke of the Pharisees and Sadducees he spoke of people who tried to follow the law but missed the Spirit of the Law. He says these people worship me with their lips but their hearts are far from me (they worshipped Him in vain).

While there are times when we may be hypocritical, where our intentions and our heart falls quite short of God's glory, i believe that to be characterized or compared to a Pharisee or Sadducee would actually make us non-Christian. Sure in every church there are people who just go through the motions and you wonder - do they really believe- God will be the one who judges all hearts - in the gospels we are told of a day where there will be those who say, "Lord, Lord," and Jesus will tell them "i never knew you."

For me i'm far from perfect, but God's Spirit does dwell within me and i do have a desire to live closely to Him. i may fail, and falter but i'm thankful that His grace is sufficient and that it's a life-long process. I'm thankful that God is so wonderful and that i have not only a lifetime but an eternity to dwell near Him.

Hope that helps,

Nickster

P.S.: Let me know if there is anything i can pray for you about. God Bless!

Answer 4

I don't think most people here would be considered pharisees and saducees.

These were groups of people in Biblical times, who insisted on doing everything according to the letter of the law.

I'm certainly not that kind of person. Although I believe in obeying laws, I also see that when it comes to faith, a person's religion, sometimes their intentions are the most important thing.

Performing the rituals is an outward sign of what you are believing inside. It can't substitute for true faith and love.

Answer 5

Sadly, yes. Legalism is tempting, and we all want to be "holy" according to the law and feel as though we are blessed because of what we do or don't do.

Sometimes, we judge those people who need Jesus most, rather than sharing the Good News with them, or giving them a cup of water or maybe a little help.

Sometimes we forget that the point of the law is to make us aware of sin, to drive us to the arms of a loving God who wants to make us holy, His way. Romans 3:23 should be firmly written in all of our hearts, "...for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...", including Christians.

Answer 6

Those people belonged to the old testament. I am not living the old testament. I am living the new testament of Jesus Christ. I am neither. I am just a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ , I believe He is the son of God, I believe He can take away my sin, I believe He has because I asked Him to and He did, I believe I am going to heaven when my body dies. I believe this with all my heart and soul. Do you? I hope so, it sure is nice to not stress out over who you are all the time if you know who you are and where you are going, no matter the state the world is in.

Answer 7

Theologically we have more in common with the Pharisees because they at least believed in the resurrection of the dead. (Acts 23:8)

However they maintained you could obtain righteousness through the law in contrast to apostollic teaching.....

It was not through law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. -Romans 4:13

Answer 8

Jesus is King of Kings. Lord of Lords.

Who do you think the Kings and Lords are???

Us.

As for Pharisees and Sadducees... eh, not so much. That was with the old religion, Judaism. We are the new religion.

Answer 9

These are the ones that Jesus said were full of dead mens bones...he said that they looked holy and made out like they were holy..but their hearts were far from God.

So to answer you question...I sure hope not!!!

Answer 10

The Pharisees and Sadducee's were blinded by using custom, delight, vanity, and faux assumptions. notwithstanding....they "knew" that they were excellent. Afterall, they were excellent for thousands of years. They were so blinded that they missed their Messiah even as he changed into excellent there chatting with them.....and they nonetheless theory they were excellent. quick ahead 2000 years. There are communities of human beings who're "sensible that they are excellent"....yet obviously, not all of them must be. ought to they understand a prophet if God despatched one? ought to they understand the historic words of prophets that were new to them, yet not in the bible? ought to they understand Christ's one and in simple terms church if it were once back typical on earth. obviously, some ought to. notwithstanding many must be blinded a twin of the Pharisees and Sadducee's of the old testomony and excuse away each little difficulty because it did not fall per their traditions. large question.