Tragic Flaws of Pharisees Laws
Illustration
by J. Stowell

In contrast to the two commands of Christ, the Pharisees had developed a system of 613 laws, 365 negative commands and 248 positive laws...By the time Christ came it had produced a heartless, cold, and arrogant brand of righteousness. As such, it contained at least ten tragic flaws:

  1. New laws continually need to be invented for new situations.
  2. Accountability to God is replaced by accountability to men.
  3. It reduces a person's ability to personally discern.
  4. It creates a judgmental spirit.
  5. The Pharisees confused personal preferences with divine law.
  6. It produces inconsistencies.
  7. It created a false standard of righteousness.
  8. It became a burden to the Jews.
  9. It was strictly external.
  10. It was rejected by Christ.
Moody, Fan the Flame, by J. Stowell