Studies in Pharisaism and the Gospels, Volume 2

Following a positive reception of his first volume, Abraham continued with a second volume of studies of the New Testament from his own Jewish perspective. He continues in this second volume that what is needed by students of the New Testament, whether Christian or Jewish, is not polemics but exposition—not controversy, but balanced discussion. The Gospels should no more be used as a foil to Pharisaism, than the Talmud as a foil to the Gospels. Jesus, in his teaching, was not always thinking of the Pharisees. His value is depreciated by so narrowing the application or motive of his appeal. Some of his finest, his most vital, criticisms of conduct and standards of conduct tend to be cheapened when the reader is distracted by an unnecessary search for supposed Pharisaic vices.