One text, without looking at the whole, does no one any good. Yes, Christianity was relatively conservative in that it did not seek a social revolution. Yes, the rivalry between Christianity and Pharisaism (Rabbinic Judaism) was fierce. It should be noted that, at the time, there was an expectation of the imminent return of Christ, and therefore little reason for social revolution, and an imperative to evangelize rapidly. It should also be noted that Jews were often involved in persecuting Christians in the early centuries, so the enmity was not merely abstract. Considering that background, the ambivalence that is shot throughout the New Testament about the status of the Chosen People is remarkable.
Anyway, I am not even sure what I am arguing about any more. I have no idea how we can really settle the relative good or evil of historical religion, and it is beginning to seem ludicrous to argue about....... |
