Are You an American Pharisee?

[N.T. Wright Fan]

For a while now, I have toyed with the idea of writing a book exploring the idea of the American Pharisee.

Given that the Pharisees were a quasi-political faction within Judaism in the first and early second century, it would be difficult to say exactly what the modern-day equivalent would be. However, since the Pharisees were the group with which Jesus dealt most harshly, it seems to me that it might be helpful to ask the question: What would an American Pharisee look like? The so-called Religious Right? Tee-Totalers? Democrats? Republicans? Or what? And why?

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. What would an American Pharisee look like in the year of our Lord, 2008?

[Gerald Creasy]

You haven't been around the Church Of God much, have you?

[dolfan]

Interesting!

The New Testament record, at least, indicates that they were lovers of power, lovers of formality, lovers of attention and a disdain for common people. Certainly, this isn't uniform among them even in the Gospels. They were well schooled and politically aware. I don't know to what extent they were "political", as in forming government, etc., because whatever they were was subject to Roman rule. If anything, they were comparable, perhaps, to lobbyists.

I don't think you can correlate them to any particular American group. But, what we do know about them is they tried and failed to revolt against Rome in AD 70. We know Jesus condemned them roundly as vipers and wicked, whitewashed and corrupt. Again, sounds like lobbyists to me, glomming on to whatever they could to preserve their own stake in power.

If I could draw a parallel, it would be between them and the entire political class irrespective of party. Even the most noble and well-intended small government, individual liberty, original-intent follower of the Framers of the Constitution would fit in quite nicely with them. Of course, you'll find exceptions without trouble, and plenty of them. But, in my own opinion, the Pharisees represent the people who place their trust in any form of power and order that is not the power and order of the kingdom of God.

[N.T. Wright Fan]

You haven't been around the Church Of God much, have you?

Actually, for the last severeal years I have been a member of a church within the COG denomination.

Why do you ask?

[N.T. Wright Fan]

don't think you can correlate them to any particular American group.

I think you are on the right track, somewhat. And I agree with quite a few of the points you've made.

Having thought about this question for quite some time, my conclusion is this: to the extent that we're able to draw any analogies between the Pharisees and groups in modern American life, I'm afraid that they may look a lot like...well, us.

Some of us, anyway.

Hopefully, when I get a free moment later today, I can expound on this.

[justsam]

You haven't been around the Church Of God much, have you?

Gerald, in my opinion, that is the single greatest post you have ever submitted.

LOL

God Bless You- Sam Smith

[Mike Vande]

For a while now, I have toyed with the idea of writing a book exploring the idea of the American Pharisee.

Given that the Pharisees were a quasi-political faction within Judaism in the first and early second century, it would be difficult to say exactly what the modern-day equivalent would be.

The Pharisees were not quasi-political, they were full-on political. In the absense of a king, the Sanhedrin ran Israel without challenge until Rome invaded, and the Pharisees were the Sanhedrin. In a theocracy, and Israel was a theocracy, there is no question of separating church and state, so they had no trouble with troublesome interference with their decisions on how the state would be run, at least they didn't until Rome took over and established an hereditary royalty, the Herod family. The Pharisees, however, made it obvious to the Herodian Tetrachs that they would have a lot more cooperation and revenue if they paid attention when the Sanhedrin spoke.

However, since the Pharisees were the group with which Jesus dealt most harshly, it seems to me that it might be helpful to ask the question: What would an American Pharisee look like? The so-called Religious Right? Tee-Totalers? Democrats? Republicans? Or what? And why?

They would look like Congress, aka the Millionaire's Club, in really weird robes and hats.

I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts. What would an American Pharisee look like in the year of our Lord, 2008?

If there were American Pharisees, they would be rich, landed career politicians, out of touch with the majority of their constituents, and ruling church and government to suit themselves.

But, since this is not a theocracy and America doesn't have a state religion, there really isn't anyone who fits the bill.