The leaven of the Sadducees

[Gail]

In learning about "leaven" in my study of the sanctuary, I came across this interesting statement that Leslie Hardinge made concerning the "leaven of the Sadducees".

After explaining the basic beliefs of the Sadducees, he concludes the section with this:

Quote:

... They were existentialists with "it is expedient!" (John 11:47-50) as their motto. Because of this they united with the Pharisees to procure Christ's crucifixion. The Saviour was, however, more scathing against the conservative and religious Pharisee than He was against the liberal and secular Sadducee.

With Jesus in His Sanctuary- p.435

Why do you think that was?

[fccool]

Matthew 16:12 Then they saw that it was not the leaven of bread which he had in mind, but the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Acts 4:1 And while they were talking to the people, the priests and the captain of the Temple and the Sadducees came up to them, 2 Being greatly troubled because they were teaching the people and preaching Jesus as an example of the coming back from the dead.

Acts 23:6 But when Paul saw that half of them were Sadducees and the rest Pharisees, he said in the Sanhedrin, Brothers, I am a Pharisee, and the son of Pharisees: I am here to be judged on the question of the hope of the coming back from the dead. 7 And when he had said this, there was an argument between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and a division in the meeting. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no coming back from the dead, and no angels or spirits: but the Pharisees have belief in all these.

[Gail]

Yes- Jesus spoke to beware the leaven of the Pharisees, the Sadducees and also the leaven of Herod.

But in spite of all the theological differences, His harshest words were against the Pharisees, who were more doctrinally correct than the more liberally-minded Sadducees.

I found that interesting.

Why do you think this was?

[M. T. Cross]

Yes- Jesus spoke to beware the leaven of the Pharisees, the Sadducees and also the leaven of Herod.

But in spite of all the theological differences, His harshest words were against the Pharisees, who were more doctrinally correct than the more liberally-minded Sadducees.

I found that interesting.

Why do you think this was?

My thoughts...........

Because Jesus was not about "doctrine" - he was about spiritual growth, he was about love, he was about compassion and hope. He understood, like any good teacher, that different people grow and learn in different ways. Strict doctrinal correctness may be the biggest block for some seeking spiritual growth.

[Gibs]

Gail,

Where do you think the church of Laodicea fits in that picture and who do you see to be the Laodicean Chruch today?

Re 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Re 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Ah you know we do find it a narrow path between liberalism and legalism. But you know He gives us a light on that path.

Ps 119:105 ¶ NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Isa 30:21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

1Jo 4:4 ¶ Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

[BibleOnly]

Because Jesus was not about "doctrine" - he was about spiritual growth, he was about love, he was about compassion and hope. He understood, like any good teacher, that different people grow and learn in different ways. Strict doctrinal correctness may be the biggest block for some seeking spiritual growth.

2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

The word doctrine in the New Testament is always presented as something that can be sound or unsound, and, if sound, is presented as vital. In the Greek, it simply means 'teaching'. How can 'teaching' be a block to growth, assuming it's positive growth and not cancerous ?

2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

[M. T. Cross]

The same way that some kids can learn math by the "rules" - the way kids are normally taught math. Other kids will run into a wall and never get it that way at all. You have to take a totally different approach and then it makes total sense to them.

[phkrause]

Yes- Jesus spoke to beware the leaven of the Pharisees, the Sadducees and also the leaven of Herod.

But in spite of all the theological differences, His harshest words were against the Pharisees, who were more doctrinally correct than the more liberally-minded Sadducees.

I found that interesting.

Why do you think this was?

To add to some of the comments that EC has mentioned. My thoughts are that the reason he was more scathing to the Pharisees, who were more doctrinally correct, is because they should've know better. They didn't do any better at teaching the Jews than the Sadducees who as you say were not doctrinally sound. How's that saying go, "With more power comes more respondsibility," or something to that effect. As I've been taught that if I know more than the next person, and I'm talking here just Biblically, than God would require more of me than someone that doesn't. I guess I'm putting myself in a spot now. LOL Anyway that's my thought to this Gail.

[Gail]

My take on it is that they were more advantaged, spiritually, than the others. They were lacking in something else.