randy@crosstalk.org

http://www.crosstalk.org

The distinctive sects of Judaism that existed during
the formative years of Christianity provide rich ground
to harvest valuable insights about ancient Judaism and
nascent Christianity. To some degree, the Pharisees
have survived within the traditions of Rabbinic
Judaism. Since the New Testament offers popular (though
certainly not comprehensive) insights into the beliefs
and behavior of both the Sadducees and the Pharisees,
these two groups have somehow come to be equated to
“Judaism” as understood by Gentile Christians. This
is an absolute fallacy. Further, tremendous insights
can be gained by open-minded students of Christianity
by delving into the faith and practices of those more
obscure Jewish sects of the New Testament era such as
the Essenes, Ebionites, Zealots, Sicarii, Herodians,
and the Therapeutae. (For more information about the
forms of Judaism in existence during the time of Jesus,
please see the book titled, Jewish Sects of the New
Testament Era, by Randy Weiss published by Excellence
in Christian Books and in electronic form through Logos
Research Systems, Inc.)

It is well established that much division existed
between the diverse groups within Judaism. “They were
anything but united at the time of the death of
Jesus.” In fact, as it related to the animosity
toward Jesus felt by some Jewish leaders, they “were
in profound disagreement. Many looked upon the High
Priests as appeasers, collaborators with the Romans.”

It is certainly not correct to reduce the Jews of the
first century to Pharisees and Sadducees. The former
being the legalistic Jewish enemies of Christ and the
latter being the more secularized Jewish enemies of
Jesus. That reductionist view of the Children of Israel
is based on flawed positions or a lack of information.
It is often a result of the Christian view that
perceives Judaism as having been repudiated by the New
Testament. Among some Christians, denominational
doctrine and dogma define “all” that is relevant.
That view often suggests that Judaism can only inform
the Church about that which is nebulous. Shallow views
of Judaism are often based upon a surface reading of
the New Testament, to the exclusion of readily
available outside sources of information.

No excuse exists for ignoring a more correct view.
Judaism is neither nebulous nor extraneous. It is the
source of messianism from which Christian beliefs
developed. The Judaism from which Jesus, Paul, and the
apostles grew was more meaningful than concerns about
the “tithe of mint and anise” (Matthew 23:23), yet,
unfortunately, that is often how ancient Judaism is
perceived. Even worse, from that mistaken vantage, it
is possible for some modern Christians to fall into the
error of believing ridiculous propositions about Jews
and Judaism. Christian anti-Semitism thrives in
ignorance, as does most prejudice.

Copyright 2005 by Randy Weiss, Ph.D.

The article you just read was an excerpt from Randy's
book ?The Passion Conspiracy,? if you are interested
in getting a copy of the book visit: www.ThePasionConspiracy.com