Author Topic: Rehabilitation of the Pharisees (Read 313 times)

X · « **on:** May 19, 2019, 12:39:58 PM »

Pope Francis with students and staff of the Pontifical

Pope to Biblical Institute: Love of neighbour basis for dialogue
Pope Francis meets with members of the Pontifical Biblical Institute who are marking their 110th anniversary with an International Interreligious Conference.

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2019-05/pope-to-biblical-institute-love-of-neighbour-basis-for-dialogue.html

By Lydia O’Kane
This year the Pontifical Biblical Institute is celebrating the 110th anniversary of its foundation. To mark this occasion, the institute is holding an international conference entitled, “Jesus and the Pharisees: an Interdisciplinary Reappraisal”.
In prepared remarks to members on Thursday in the Vatican, Pope Francis focused on the conference’s theme. He told those gathered that recent study had come to realize that less is known about the Pharisees than previous generations thought. “We are less certain about their origins and about many of their teachings and practices”, he said.

The Pharisees: examination and research
The Pope added, that the conference’s examination of interdisciplinary research into literary and historical questions regarding the Pharisees, would “contribute to a more accurate view of this religious group, while also helping to combat antisemitism.”
Delving into the New Testament, the Pontiff noted that Jesus had numerous discussions with Pharisees about common concerns. He pointed out that, “among the more significant moments in the Gospel of John we find Jesus’ encounter with a Pharisee named Nicodemus, one of the leaders of the Jєωs. Pope Francis went on to say that, “to Nicodemus Jesus explains that, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life”. Nicodemus, emphasized the Pope, “would then defend Jesus before an assembly and subsequently be present at his burial. Whatever view one takes of Nicodemus, it is clear that the various stereotypes about “the Pharisees” do not apply to him, nor do they find confirmation elsewhere in John’s Gospel", he said.

Golden rule of loving ones neighbour
In his remarks, the Pope recalled how “Rabbi Aqiba, one of the most famous rabbis of the second century and an heir to Pharisaic traditions, pointed to the words “love your neighbour as yourself” as a great principle of the Torah.
Pope Francis explained to those present how the “golden rule” of loving ones neighbour “represents a significant indicator for recognizing affinities between Jesus and his Pharisee interlocutors.
It certainly constitutes an important basis for any dialogue, especially among Jєωs and Christians, even today.”
The Pope continued by saying that, “to love our neighbours better, we need to know them, and in order to know who they are we often have to find ways to overcome ancient prejudices.” For this reason, he concluded, “your conference, crossing faiths and disciplines in its effort to attain a fuller and more accurate understanding of the Pharisees, will make it possible to present them more appropriately in teaching and preaching.”
“I am certain, he said, “that these studies, and the new avenues they will open, will positively contribute to the relationship between Jєωs and Christians, in view of an ever more profound and fraternal dialogue.”

X · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2019, 12:49:24 PM »

Too bad Jesus couldn't attend such classes, to get a more historically accurate perception of the Pharisees, and foment ʝʊdɛօ-Catholic dialogue.

Had He been able to attend, he might not have called them a "brood of vipers," "whited sepulchers," "hypocrites," and so many other anti-semitic slurs.

:o

???

:barf: :cussing:

X · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2019, 12:53:41 PM »

PS: Tomorrow, Francis is going to address the International Bestiality Association, and discuss the potential for inter-species breeding, and apologize for traditional prejudice against man-animal relationships (stressing our common mammal heritage as a means toward more appropriately speaking of bestialists in our preaching and teaching).

Author Topic: Rehabilitation of the Pharisees (Read 313 times)

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Rehabilitation of the Pharisees

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