Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/05/2010 - 2:19pm.
Thought I would post -as this kind of fits in to this post.
Ray AshmoreJune 2, 2010 at 10:03am
Subject: OVERHEARD: TWO PHARISEES TALKING
Greetings and salutations, most holy Nicodemus. What thinkest thou of this upstart from Galilee?”
"I don’t know what to think, Caiaphas. He certainly is powerful, but I don’t know what to make of his teachings. His doctrines don’t follow rabbinic law.
“Don’t follow?! Nicodemus, that’s an understatement. I think he’s downright heretical.”
Why do you say that?
“Just look at how he takes liberties with our laws. His interpretations are radically different from every acceptable theologian from centuries past until now.”
Perhaps, Caiaphas, it’s just that we don’t understand the points he’s trying to make.
“Understand Schmunderstand! Nicodemus, he’s teaching children! If they can understand him, we can. And we do! Look at what he’s said to us about working on the Sabbath. He not only violates our principles of biblical interpretation, he violates our clearly stated laws and teaches others to do likewise.”
But he keeps talking about a higher principle. He interprets our laws as if they are based upon love, not just given to restrain sin and turn away wrath. We say the law is the law. We have been trained to leave no room for empathy.
“That's right, Nick. We are ‘strict constuctionists.’ For us it’s the letter of the law, nothing less, nothing more.”
But this Jesus of Nazareth speaks about the spirit of the Law as well. Uh, by the way, I have a confession to make. I went to see him the other night.
“What?! You dare to contaminate yourself by associating with him?”
It was a moment of weakness, but he had some interesting things to say. He talked about the need to be “born again.” He said that the Spirit of God makes us new and enables us to walk according to the spirit of the Law, not just by the letter.
“Nicodemus, you ignoramus, have you been walking barefoot through your barn? That’s just babblings of someone who wants to erode the authority of our writings and destroy our moral order.”
How is he doing that, Caiaphas?
“He’s doing that by introducing a multitude of exceptions to our rules.”
But haven’t we introduced a plethora of rules and regulations that go beyond the Law of our father, Moses?
“Of course we have. After all, we’re just protecting God’s laws with, as it were, a hedge. If we can keep people from braking through an outer perimeter, then we can keep our treasure safe. It’s for their own good.”
Well, I guess you’re right, Caiaphas. But I’ve got to think more about this issue before I make a final judgment.
“I know I’m right. That heretic from Nazareth (what a scumbag town) has got to go. As popular as he is with the people, he’ll be elected High Priest if we don’t do something soon. Then the judgment of God will come down on all of us. Let’s call our caucus together and make plans. Can I borrow your cell phone?”
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Thought I would post -as this kind of fits in to this post.
Ray AshmoreJune 2, 2010 at 10:03am
Subject: OVERHEARD: TWO PHARISEES TALKING
Greetings and salutations, most holy Nicodemus. What thinkest thou of this upstart from Galilee?”
"I don’t know what to think, Caiaphas. He certainly is powerful, but I don’t know what to make of his teachings. His doctrines don’t follow rabbinic law.
“Don’t follow?! Nicodemus, that’s an understatement. I think he’s downright heretical.”
Why do you say that?
“Just look at how he takes liberties with our laws. His interpretations are radically different from every acceptable theologian from centuries past until now.”
Perhaps, Caiaphas, it’s just that we don’t understand the points he’s trying to make.
“Understand Schmunderstand! Nicodemus, he’s teaching children! If they can understand him, we can. And we do! Look at what he’s said to us about working on the Sabbath. He not only violates our principles of biblical interpretation, he violates our clearly stated laws and teaches others to do likewise.”
But he keeps talking about a higher principle. He interprets our laws as if they are based upon love, not just given to restrain sin and turn away wrath. We say the law is the law. We have been trained to leave no room for empathy.
“That's right, Nick. We are ‘strict constuctionists.’ For us it’s the letter of the law, nothing less, nothing more.”
But this Jesus of Nazareth speaks about the spirit of the Law as well. Uh, by the way, I have a confession to make. I went to see him the other night.
“What?! You dare to contaminate yourself by associating with him?”
It was a moment of weakness, but he had some interesting things to say. He talked about the need to be “born again.” He said that the Spirit of God makes us new and enables us to walk according to the spirit of the Law, not just by the letter.
“Nicodemus, you ignoramus, have you been walking barefoot through your barn? That’s just babblings of someone who wants to erode the authority of our writings and destroy our moral order.”
How is he doing that, Caiaphas?
“He’s doing that by introducing a multitude of exceptions to our rules.”
But haven’t we introduced a plethora of rules and regulations that go beyond the Law of our father, Moses?
“Of course we have. After all, we’re just protecting God’s laws with, as it were, a hedge. If we can keep people from braking through an outer perimeter, then we can keep our treasure safe. It’s for their own good.”
Well, I guess you’re right, Caiaphas. But I’ve got to think more about this issue before I make a final judgment.
“I know I’m right. That heretic from Nazareth (what a scumbag town) has got to go. As popular as he is with the people, he’ll be elected High Priest if we don’t do something soon. Then the judgment of God will come down on all of us. Let’s call our caucus together and make plans. Can I borrow your cell phone?”