lsayre wrote: ↑Thu Aug 18, 2022 11:15 am
Is it accurate (as in: credible) to say that the (so to speak) "Government Issue" Priests (High Priest included) lacked 'authority' (respect) among the masses, who maintained a Priest class of their own behind the backs of the Government? Robert Eisenman seems to imply that James was of this non-GI priestly class, and he further stated (concluded) that whatever James was, Jesus was also.
Might the man with the impure spirit be a later embellishment (corruption) of the screams heard from the 'Government Issue' (and thereby seen as impure) Priesthood?
As usual, lsayre, you are on to something. I am wary of the James Scholarship though I have a great deal of respect for Eisenman.
Herod did have more or less absolute control over the Priestly Apparatus, making Blood Enemies of the Hasmoneans and making the High Priest position an appointed one.
Josephus, War..., 2, 1, 2:
"They ["The multitude..." crying to Archelaus] cried out that a punishment ought to be inflicted for these men upon those that were honored by Herod; and that, in the first place, the man whom he had made high priest should be deprived; and that it was fit to choose a person of greater piety and purity than he was..."
What is the meaning of Josephus' phrase, "...greater piety and purity..."?
Matthew 23: 13 (RSV):
[13] "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you shut the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither enter yourselves, nor allow those who would enter to go in.
The Scribes and Pharisees shut the Realm of Heaven against MEN. The Scribes & Pharisees prevent MEN from entering but they - flesh and Blood men also - do not allow the chosen MEN (i.e. Priests) to enter.
These are not "Government Issue Priests" and you are correct in seeing this. The people demand a return to "...greater Piety and Purity".
CW