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88 Is Judaism the Religion of Moses?

Clever Answers to Opponents

The lay teachers had an answer for almost every question that an opponent might ask them
concerning the validity of these Traditional laws.

If one would mention that Deuteronomy 4:2 forbade the addition to the Law, the lay teach-
ers would readily admit that fact but staunchly affirm that the recognition of the Traditional laws
was not adding to the Law of Moses. They claimed these laws originated with Moses and repre-
sented the complete revelation that God gave him (ibid., p. 44).

If some opponent would voice the truth about the recent origin of these laws, the lay teach-
ers merely declared that the laws were actually Mosaic but had been long forgotten and had just
been recalled and reintroduced (ibid., p. 45).

And when someone would prove beyond question that these laws were nothing more than
pagan practices, Lieberman paints out that in such cases the JEWS COULD MAINTAIN THAT
THE HEATHEN WERE FOLLOWING JEWISH PRACTICES AND NOT VICE VERSA" (Hel-
lenism in Jewish Palestine, p. 129).

Such interpretations were absurdly extreme, completely unjustified and utterly false! How
they managed to palm off such fallacious interpretations as actual truth can be understood only if
we recognize that THE PEOPLE WANTED TO RECEIVE THIS ERROR. With the people behind
them, the lay teachers could teach about what they wished.

"Certain religious practices, considered by the later teachers as part of the traditional law, or
as handed down by Moses, ORIGINATED IN REALITY FROM OTHER, PERHAPS
NON-JEWISH SOURCES, AND HAD NO AUTHORITY OTHER THAN THE
AUTHORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO ADOPTED THEM" (ibid., p. 241).

With the acceptance of these new customs and practices we can date the true beginning of
Judaism as a religion! The opportunity of returning to the Law of Moses was rejected. From that
time forward, about 150 years before Christ, we become familiar in history with the real Judaism --
a religion which the apostle Paul calls the "Jews' religion."

(To be continued next issue)

Be Sure to Visit the Hope of Israel Website On the INTERNET!

THE HOPE OF ISRAEL WEBSITES ON THE INTERNET now have hundreds of articles for
download, as well as books and many other features for the discerning Christian who is seeking
answers to the mysteries of life. Be sure to visit the Hope of Israel home pages at:

http://hope-of-israel.org http://hope-of-isreal.net (note spelling)

The Berean Voice September-October 2002