I know that is what it being taught by Christianity. But Jesus didn't teach that the Pharisees were "following the letter of the Law". He taught just the opposite.
In fact, there is not one place in the New Testament where Jesus ever suggested, implied, or otherwise instructed us that the Pharisees were "obedient" to God Laws, honored God's Laws, were striving to follow God's Laws, Loved God, Glorified God, respected God. Nothing, it isn't there, He never said any of these things. He said the opposite.
Yet, the religion I was born into seems to disregard this Biblical truth and for some reason teaches against what Jesus taught regarding the Pharisees.
There was mention of one Levite who did Honor God, Love God, Strive to obey God, Glorify God. His name was Zechariahs. It might be prudent to note that Zechariahs knew Jesus when He came, yet the Pharisees, including Saul, did not. There is a stark difference between how the Bible describes Zechariahs and his relationship with God and how the Bible describes the Pharisees and their relationship.
This "Christian Tradition" of preaching the Pharisees were following God's Laws has always been a great frustration to me given the Bible teaches the opposite. I have tried many times to open a discussion, have a conversation regarding this, but have found out that religious tradition is, in many folks mind, more precious than Biblical truth.
I think this was also a huge problem with the Mainstream Church of Christ's time as well.
In fact, there is not one place in the New Testament where Jesus ever suggested, implied, or otherwise instructed us that the Pharisees were "obedient" to God Laws, honored God's Laws, were striving to follow God's Laws, Loved God, Glorified God, respected God. Nothing, it isn't there, He never said any of these things. He said the opposite.
Yet, the religion I was born into seems to disregard this Biblical truth and for some reason teaches against what Jesus taught regarding the Pharisees.
There was mention of one Levite who did Honor God, Love God, Strive to obey God, Glorify God. His name was Zechariahs. It might be prudent to note that Zechariahs knew Jesus when He came, yet the Pharisees, including Saul, did not. There is a stark difference between how the Bible describes Zechariahs and his relationship with God and how the Bible describes the Pharisees and their relationship.
This "Christian Tradition" of preaching the Pharisees were following God's Laws has always been a great frustration to me given the Bible teaches the opposite. I have tried many times to open a discussion, have a conversation regarding this, but have found out that religious tradition is, in many folks mind, more precious than Biblical truth.
I think this was also a huge problem with the Mainstream Church of Christ's time as well.
so, you are correct that the Pharisees were not following Torah. they thought they were , but had piled so many other laws " the traditions of the elders " , that the intent of the originals was lost.