As for the doctrine of the Trinity, we have the authority of Eusebius
that they taught this doctrine too. So that it is not true that they
did not recognize these two prime articles of the Christian faith, the
Incarnation and Trinity doctrines. Some modern Christians assert that
the Essenes not only omitted to teach these doctrines, but that, on the
other hand, they taught other doctrines not taught in the Christian New
Testament. This is not improbable. For the Christian religion has been
characterized by frequent changes in its doctrines in every stage of its
practical history, as was also the Jewish religion which preceded it,
and from which it emanated. Judaism is a perpetual series of changes. It
changed even the name of its God from Elohim to Jehovah. Its leader and
founder Abram was changed to Abraham, and his grandson and successor
from Jacob to Israel. And we have the works of many Christian writers
in our possession who prove by their own bible that the Jews made many
changes in their religious polity and religious doctrines. This is more
especially observable when they came in contact with nations teaching
a different religion. Their whole history shows they were prone to
imitate, and borrow, and always did borrow on such occasions, and
engraft the new doctrines thus obtained into their own creed, and thus
effected important changes in their religion. We have the authority of
Dr. Campbell for saying the Jews never believed and taught the doctrine
of future punishment (and other doctrines that might be named) till
after they were brought in contact with Persians in Babylon who had long
taught these doctrines. (See Dissertation VI. ) And Dr. Enfield declares
their theological opinions underwent thorough changes during this period
of seventy years' captivity. Even their national title was changed at
one period from Israelites to Jews. With all these changes of names,
titles, and doctrines in view, it is not incredible that one of the
Jewish sects should change its name from Essenes to Christians, and with
this change modify some of the doctrines. And more especially as their
title, according to Dr. Ginsburg, had been changed before from Chassidim
to Essenes. And Philo at one period calls them Therapeuts, while
Eusebius says the Therapeuts were Christians. Put this and that
together, and the question is forever settled.
Now, with all this overwhelming mass of historical evidence before us,
"piled mountain high," tending to prove the truth of the proposition
that Christianity is the offspring and outgrowth of ancient Judean
Essenism, we feel certain that no sophistry, from interested charlatans
or stereotyped creed worshipers, can stave off or obliterate the
conviction in unprejudiced minds, that the proposition is most amply
proven.
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