I’m always appalled at some who are quick to call another Christian “Pharisee.” Especially when they relish attacking those whom they see as Pharisees as a means of virtue signalling before another audience they want to please or win over.
I am especially grieved when I see the term “Pharisees” employed as a personal attack instead of dealing with the data of what does the Scripture actually says. The word “Pharisee” is such a loaded term. It’s a trigger word. I suppose its the Christian equivalent of calling someone a Nazi in politics.
Again I’m grieved when the term “Pharisees” is employed as a personal attack instead of dealing with the data of what does the Scripture actually says. For the record Christians pursuing godliness and holiness is in of itself not legalism. It’s the motivation and what comes first that sets apart the self-righteous legalistic Pharisee and the Christian pursuing holiness.
Ironically in attacking Pharisees one can act like a Pharisee and unbecoming of a Christian. The antidote for the “Pharisee” and the Pharisical anti-Pharisee is coming to Christ with our sins and understanding the costly grace provided by Christ’s death on the cross that motivates us to obedience and love.
Good point, Jim! Given the loosely goosey state of the church today, anyone who upholds God’s Word is going to be labeled a Pharisee. Coming from a fundamentalist background, I also know there are many believers who major on the minors.
“Given the loosely goosey state of the church today, anyone who upholds God’s Word is going to be labeled a Pharisee” Exactly! That doesn’t mean that there are those who really do struggle with being like a Pharisee, but that charge could be thrown around so loosely to even attack those who are being biblical. Very good point in your comment!
Very good Jim.
Some of the snootiest, most self righteous snobs I’ve ever encountered are those who love to beat up on anybody who believes and preaches the actual historical, biblical gospel, because they think it’s arrogant to be dogmatic and certain on the long settled truths of the Lord.
Very true Greg and that was what the post was talking about, among other things such as those thinks God’s grace is only for forgiveness of sins, but strangely is not discussed for sanctification. Very good point Greg, seems like I’m not the only one that feels that way about some who loves to beat up on those who believes in the biblical Gospel, etc.
A “pharisical anti-Pharisee,” good one.
You do get around Gabrielle.
Thanks!
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for the reblog Vincent!
You’re very welcome Brother 👍
Pharisees would have made good neighbors, they tried so hard to obey the Law of God. Historically, they wrote the Talmud, the volume of books that guide the rabbis of modern Judaism. But not all of them opposed Jesus; some became Christians, including Saul of Tarsus. So the term is, as you say, hardly the insult some people intend it to be. J.
What about calling a liberal mocker and scoffer a Sadducee? They worked with Rome to be put in charge of the Temple money changers. They all but fully embraced the Roman epicurean life style.
Jesus, love incarnate, called the Pharisees every name in book and did so without sinning. Jesus only spoke what His Father in heaven told Him to speak.
Judging righteously is commanded. Judging self righteously is, well, being a Pharisee. The Pharisees twisted and contorted the Law of Moses much like our Supreme Court has twisted and contorted our Constitution.
Jesus commanded the Jews to obey them but also commanded them to not behave like them.
“Ironically in attacking Pharisees one can act like a Pharisee and unbecoming of a Christian.”
So very, very true.
Thank you. Good to hear from you, I hope you are doing well with your family especially your little ones!
After quite a hiatus from the blog and media, I’m finding my around again to catch up. We are all splendid! Hope the same is true for you.
What a great phrase brother Jim!
Heretic also…I get labeled that quite often. 🙂
Oh man that is another label that is used to slander believers…sadly.
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Convicting. I use to be this way. Theologically liberal and always bashing Bible believers and filled with self-righteous contempt of Conservative Evangelicals…
When I read your post and description of the “Pharisaical anti-Pharisee” I can’t help but to think of the example of Rachel Held Evans
Brian Felty ☝️☝️ Your comment lol 😄😄😂
Guilty of this myself.
Looks good; that was me, a self-righteous liberal before I got saved
Gotta always check oneself spiritually…
I don’t often think of anti-Pharisees being like Pharisees, so this is good. Makes me a little more guarded in ragging on Pharisees with a self-righteous attitude.
Very convicting
May God revive His people through His Word.🙏🏼