What did the Pharisees do that gained them such a horrible reputation?

[PelagiathePenit]

Please only give information if you actually know what you are talking about. Is judging the worse Christian sin ever? Maybe I have a bad attitude towards it, it is too over-hyped to the point, it makes no difference to me. Once someone mentions sin, of course, judgment comes up.
Does suicide mean you will automatically go to hell?

 

[Faxero]

According to my bible dictionary, the Pharisees were formed to preserve Israel from its spiritual enemies, namely the gentiles. By the time Christ came down to Earth, their genuine zeal for the Lord has degenerated into fanaticism.

The original goals of the Pharisees were not innately evil. Their origins are morally acceptable, and there were some noble Pharisees, such as Nicodemus, who sought answers, and Gamaliel, who demonstrated wisdom. (Acts 5:34)

The worst sins that are committed are those which are urged on by pride, which is the reservoir of sin. Pride killed the Israelites in the desert, pride lead many away from eternal wisdom, and pride leads us into Hell, where the epitome of pride rules.

Sirach 11:6-30 The beginning of pride is man’s stubbornness, in withdrawing his heart from the maker; for pride is the reservoir of sin, a source which runs over with vice; because of it God sends unheard-of afflictions, and brings men to utter ruin.

When God said not to judge, he meant “judge” in the sense where one attempts to assume God’s unique authority.

:sad_yes: Suicide is undoubtedly evil. The church prays for those who have taken their own lives.

vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p3s2c2a5.htm
http://64.19.142.13/www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/ccc.jpg
Suicide
2280*Everyone is responsible for his life before God who has given it to him. It is God who remains the sovereign Master of life. We are obliged to accept life gratefully and preserve it for his honor and the salvation of our souls. We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of.

2281*Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

2282*If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.
Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.

2283*We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.

 

[phil19034]

The worst sins that are committed are those which are urged on by pride, which is the reservoir of sin. Pride killed the Israelites in the desert, pride lead many away from eternal wisdom, and pride leads us into Hell, where the epitome of pride rules.

For example, pride can lead to the unforgivable sin against The Holy Spirit. A prideful person may not admit they are wrong, even if they know it. Also, a prideful person may not accept forgiveness when s/he knows s/he as done wrong. This is where the sin against The Holy Spirit comes into play. Being too prideful to not accept the forgiveness of God is to separate yourself from God forever, which is the unforgivable sin.

 

[triumphguy]

.

After the death of Christ the Pharisees fomented revolt and eventually led an uprising against the occupying Romans, and in 67AD Rome sent Vespasian with 50,000 men to crush the revolt.

By 70AD the Romans had defeated the Jewish forces and had destroyed the Temple.

For their pains Rome crucified thousands of Jews many of whom were pharisees.

Around 100,000 Jews were slaughtered in the razing of Jerusalem, and at Masada Judaism’s “never surrender” attitude became manifest in the mass suicide of the whole fortress.

Afterwards, the pharisees (AKA rabbis) became more important and numerous after the destruction of the Temple. Since Temple worship was no longer available the rabbis taught that a person could become holy where they were, and they didn’t have to go to the Temple and be purified.

Thus, around the time Christians were beginning to see themselves as separate from Judaism the Pharisees were embarking on their own course different from the previous style of Judaism

 

[GEddie]

The Pharisees were not by any means all bad; they believed in human afterlife, resurrection, and angels, unlike their nemeses the Sadducees.

They were also separate from the power orbit surrounding the Temple, which by our LORD’s day had become quite corrupt.

However, their zeal for the Law had led to a kind of group selfrighteousness that prevented them seeing our LORD for whom He was.

ICXC NIKA.

 

[Nelka]

Some interesting posts here.

 

[JRKH]

Some interesting posts here.

Totally agree…

A great thread. Thanks to the OP for starting it.

GEddie,
Interesting stuff. I always had the image of the Pharisees and the temple authority being, basically, one ant the same thing. I guess I had never really thought about it or looked into it.

Peace
James