Submitted by: Submitted by mcknight0205
Views: 386
Words: 1175
Pages: 5
Category: Philosophy and Psychology
Date Submitted: 07/24/2011 05:49 PM
Compare and Contract the Pharisees
Comparing and Contracting the Pharisees and the Sadducees
Nikki Rogers
LeTourneau University
Compare and Contrast the Pharisees
During the time frame of the New Testament the two main religious groups of Judaism were the Sadducees and the Pharisees. It is said that Jesus was always in constant conflict with the two groups, because of their beliefs and behavior. According to the Gospels both the Pharisees and the Sadducees compromised the ruling class of Israel. There are many similarities between the two groups but also very important differences between them as well.
Pharisees
The most vocal and influential of the two groups were the Pharisees. The Pharisees believed to have grown from the Assideans movement. According to Wayne Blank, “The name Pharisee in its Hebrew form means separatists, or the separated ones. They were also known as Chassidim, which means loyal to God, or loved of God - extremely ironic in view of the fact that by His time, they made themselves the most bitter, and deadly, opponents of Jesus Christ and His message.” The Pharisees were a prestige group of Jews in Christ's time. The most significant element in the Pharisaic system was Torah, according to the text, the Jews Law. This law has been in affect since the time of Moses and lay at the heart of Jewish religion. They believed in oral and written Law and the resurrection of the human body. They also believed in the subsistence of a spirit world; immortality of the soul; destiny; future rewards and punishments based upon works (Bible). The Pharisees believed in living in harmonious relationships with one another During the Roman period the Pharisees became less political and did not require citizens to take oaths of loyalty. The Pharisees were frequently known for their faults in the New Testament. They were considered hypocrites and misguided zealots.
Sadducees
The other well known religious group of...