The Pharisees: A Group of Jews Similar to Jesus of Nazareth

by | Nov 28, 2023 | religion

 

Which group of Jews was most similar to Jesus of Nazareth? Why?

 

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Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

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The Pharisees: A Group of Jews Similar to Jesus of Nazareth
Introduction
When examining the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, it becomes clear that he was a unique figure in history who challenged the religious and social norms of his time. While there were various groups of Jews during the first century, one group that bears striking similarities to Jesus in terms of beliefs, values, and teachings is the Pharisees. The Pharisees were a sect of Judaism known for their strict adherence to the Torah, their concern for moral purity, and their commitment to the teachings of the prophets. This essay will explore the similarities between Jesus and the Pharisees, highlighting their shared emphasis on ethical living, inclusivity, and compassion.
Similarity 1: Ethical Living
One of the key similarities between Jesus and the Pharisees is their emphasis on ethical living. Both Jesus and the Pharisees recognized the importance of following God’s commandments and living a righteous life. The Pharisees were known for their meticulous observance of the Torah, including its laws on purity, tithing, and Sabbath observance. Similarly, Jesus emphasized the importance of ethical conduct, teaching his followers to love God and love their neighbors as themselves. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded on the commandments, calling his disciples to a higher standard of righteousness. Both Jesus and the Pharisees believed in the transformative power of ethical living, recognizing that it not only brought individuals closer to God but also fostered a just and compassionate society.
Similarity 2: Inclusivity
Another striking similarity between Jesus and the Pharisees is their commitment to inclusivity. Despite being labeled as legalistic or exclusive by some, the Pharisees actually advocated for a more inclusive understanding of Judaism. They believed that all Jews had the potential to live righteous lives and be in relationship with God, regardless of their social status or occupation. Similarly, Jesus challenged societal norms by reaching out to those considered outcasts or sinners. He dined with tax collectors, welcomed prostitutes, and healed people marginalized by society. Both Jesus and the Pharisees demonstrated a desire to include those who had been excluded or stigmatized, demonstrating that God’s love and grace were available to all.
Similarity 3: Compassion
A final similarity between Jesus and the Pharisees lies in their emphasis on compassion. Both Jesus and the Pharisees recognized the importance of showing mercy and kindness to others. The Pharisees believed in the value of deeds of loving-kindness (gemilut chasadim), acts that went beyond mere legal obligations. They practiced charity, visited the sick, and cared for widows and orphans. Similarly, Jesus taught his followers to show compassion towards others through his parables and actions. The parable of the Good Samaritan exemplifies Jesus’ call to love one’s neighbor as oneself, emphasizing the need to help those in need regardless of their background. Both Jesus and the Pharisees understood that true righteousness involved not only following religious rules but also extending care and compassion to others.
Conclusion
While there were various groups of Jews during Jesus’ time, the Pharisees stand out as a group that shared many similarities with Jesus in terms of beliefs, values, and teachings. They both emphasized ethical living, inclusivity, and compassion. By recognizing these similarities, we gain a deeper understanding of Jesus’ teachings and his place within the religious landscape of first-century Judaism. The Pharisees provide an important context for understanding Jesus’ message of love, justice, and transformative living. Ultimately, whether one agrees or disagrees with Jesus’ teachings, it is clear that his ideas were not entirely unique but were rooted in a broader Jewish tradition exemplified by groups like the Pharisees.

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