Are the christian fundies like the Pharisees during the time of Jesus?
The Pharisees were fundamentalists because they insisted on the rigid adherence to Judaism’s fundamental princeiples (as they interpreted them). The christian fundies today also demand strict adherence to what they believe to be the principles of Christianity.
Like the Pharisees, the christian fundies are self-righteous, judgemental and arrogant.
Yes.
You mean the way the Pharisees were *described*. It’s like looking at a description of Democrats by Republicans or visa versa. It’s a caricature.
Usually we wouldn’t label someone a fundie unless they matched those characteristics. They don’t usually use that label themselves.
Actually they are completely the opposite.
I think you hit the nail on the head. Neo-Pharisees, indeed. We need a Neo-Jesus to come and rebuke them.
No.
the law is good if it is used lawfully. If I told you that Jesus loves you (and He does) and that He wants to make you whole, how many of you would scoff at that? How many would say “I don’t need saved” and be totally offended.
BUT…if I told you the law and said that the soul that sins is going to die and the wages of sin is death, MERCY might be more appealing.
It’s ridiculous to teach grace without teaching the law. The law shows us our need of grace. Grace makes sense if know we are lost and only the law can reveal that to us.
The law is a mirror. It’s very purpose is to convince us of our need for a Savior.
Jesus said he came not for the righteous but to call sinners to repentence.
No. This is the same false reasoning people use to equate fundamentalist Christians and fundamentalist Muslims. They have very different fundamentals.
Fundamentalist Christians are evangelicals, and they are marked by their willingness to take Jesus seriously. Since they judge themselves by Jesus’ standards, they they are not SELF-righteous. They do make moral judgments, but they follow Jesus’ command to “make a right judgment,” which means they are not judgmental in the sense of prejudicial. They are not arrogant, but humble.
I’m a Catholic, not a fundamentalist, but I respect anyone who takes Jesus seriously. Conversely, I’m troubled by those who are self-righteous and judgmental about fundamentalists.
Cheers,
Bruce
Don’t forget the fact that the Pharisees thought they were the only truly holy people because they were sure they were the only ones who knew how to interpret the Law.
Sounds suspiciously like some folks we know and “Sola Scriptura,” doesn’t it?
No. You shouldn’t rely on their Greek book to inform you about people whom the authors were attempting to marginalize and vilify.
I am sorry—the Pharisees were none of those things. They did not insist on a rigid adherence to Judaism’s fundamental principles, as they alone interpreted them—that was the position of the Sadducee’s. The Pharisees favored allowing the Torah to be studied and interpreted by all, and favored the Oral Law and looser interpretations of texts. Sure, the Christian Scriptures described them otherwise–but Christian Scriptures said a lot of nasty things about Jews.
As for whether or not Fundamentalist Christians are like the carcaturized Pharisees of the NT—I can’t generalize.
Peace
YES.
The fundies may think they are following Jesus. But in reality, they are misled by Satan.
Nice answers most, they are indeed exactly like the Pharisees. I loved that “Neo-Pharisee” answer. And in fact a “Neo-Jesus” is already tormenting them like a locust plague, by exposing their hypocrisy and adherence to non-scriptural traditions of men.
I tend to agree with your observation.
Yep, shame on the Pharisees for refusing to worship Roman emperors as incarnations of Roman gods.
Bad, bad Pharisees. They deserve to be vilified for this for 2000 years.