Usually, when it comes to error, it is possible to err in two directions. You might go too far or not far enough, be too loose or too tight, be too open or too closed. You get the idea. In the same way, while we know of the errors of the Pharisees in Jesus's day, we don't often think of the other side, what I'll call the reverse pharisee.
Pharisees are legalists, arguing that you get to heaven like every other religion states -- by being good. "If you want to be saved, you have to follow the rules, do what you're told (or, perhaps more correctly, do what we tell you), knuckle under. It's a heavy load, but you'll have to do it. Us? Oh, no, we won't. We're already righteous, already worthy. But you'd better get on that if you want to make it. If you want to get to heaven, you'll have to be righteous ... like me." They are self-righteous hypocrites that demand more of you than God does, and, oh, by the way, they have no intention of living up to the standards they are requiring of you.
Too much. Too far. Error.
What about a reverse pharisee? "Well, those pharisees are really too uptight about the rules. They're too harsh, too judgmental, too intolerant. They take their Scriptures way too seriously as if they possess the secret wisdom for interpreting the voice of God. They lay burdens on people; we don't. They call people to account; we don't. They are more concerned about their doctrines than they are about people; we aren't. Of course, we don't intend to be less harsh, less judgmental, less intolerant (at least, not where they are concerned), but they sure need to be. Why can't they be more laid back and less judgmental ... like me?"
Too little. Not far enough. Error.
That's interesting, though, isn't it? Both errors end up at the same place: "like me." I would guess that both errors result from the same root cause -- "me" at the center.
6 comments:
Excellent point. It sometimes seems like the reverse Pharisee can be more dogmatic than the regular.
It seems like the "too much" and the "too little" extremes are typically more dogmatic than the "middle of the road" types.
I’d agree. Maybe it’s because I see more of the reverse types and because they seem to be louder and more vociferous.
Yes, but you'd have to agree that the original Pharisees were pretty excessively dogmatic. :)
Oh, I certainly would. I’m saying that in this current climate the “originalist” type Pharisees are going to get shouted down while the “reverse” folx are going to get a pass.
But the originals were definitely dogmatic.
That's true
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