The old paths, or the Talmud tested by Scripture: Being a comparison of the principles and doctrines of modern Judaism with the religion of Moses and the prophetsMcCaul, Alexander
Religion
The old paths, or the Talmud tested by Scripture: Being a comparison of the principles and doctrines of modern Judaism with the religion of Moses and the prophets
McCaul, Alexander
Judaism -- Works to 1900
have that blessedness, which is reserved for the righteous. How, then,
are we to reconcile these two sayings? There are only two ways which
occur to us, either by saying that this is not strictly true, but only a
fair speech in order to catch proselytes; or, if it be strictly true,
that then “the pious of the world” are to have a much smaller share in
the blessedness to come. In any case the spirit is far from charitable
or tolerant. It represents God as an accepter of persons, saving
Israelites simply because they are Israelites, and destroying the other
nations because they are not Israelites. The New Testament
representation is very different, and far more worthy of “the Judge of
all the earth.” It does indeed say, “He that believeth shall be saved,
and he that believeth not shall be damned.” But in this very
declaration, we have an impartial rule applied to all mankind. “He that
believeth,” of whatsoever nation, kindred, or tongue—Jew or Gentile,
white or black—“shall be saved.” “He that believeth not,” whether he be
called a Jew or a Christian, whether he be a son of Japhet, of Shem, or
of Ham, “shall be damned.” The New Testament asserts no monopoly of
salvation for one favoured family. It excludes none because he had not
the happiness to be descended from a privileged stock. It lays down a
general and impartial rule to be applied to all the children of men. The
oral law says,
כל ישראל יש להם חלק לעולם הבא ׃
“All Israel has a share in the world to come.” The New Testament says,
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom
of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
(Matt. vii. 21.) The oral law says, “The world to come is laid up for
none but the righteous, and they are Israel.” The New Testament says,
“God is no respecter of persons; but in every nation he that feareth
him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.” (Acts x. 34, 35.)
Now then we appeal to the good sense of every Jew, even of the
Talmudists to tell us which of these two statements is most just,
impartial, and worthy of the Just Judge?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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