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Josephus on Pharisees on Compatibilism and Hell
Various Jewish sources of the Pharisaical (or related) stripe, provide us with useful background information on the subject of hell. Josephus, Jewish Wars, Book II, Chapter 8, Section 14: But then as to the two other orders at first mentioned, the Pharisees are those who are esteemed most skilful in the exact explication of their…
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Critique of Bishop Olmsted's Response
Bishop Olmsted, responding to blogger criticism of his decision to remove the “Catholic” designation from St. Joseph’s hospital because it took the life of a child in defense of the life of the child’s mother, stated: I really don’t read the blogospheres. I try to pray each day to find my identity in Jesus Christ.…
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Christ's Objection to the Corban Exception
In Jesus days, the leaders of the Jews had developed a tradition whereby a child could refuse to assist his parents. In the following pericope, Jesus addresses that tradition: Mark 7:9-139And he [Jesus] said unto them [the Pharisees and scribes], Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.…
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Convicting Thoughts on the Lord's Day
This author does not want Pharisaism (nor legalism either), and yet one cannot read accounts of even modern Jewish reverence for the Sabbath without being convicted that we could do more to reverence and sanctify the Lord’s day. More discussion here (link). May God give us greater respect for the fourth commandment (Remember the Sabbath…