[194] Cf. Montefiore, op. cit. p. 122 sq.
[195] Halévy, Mélanges de critique et d’histoire relatifs aux peuples sémitiques, p. 371.
The opposition against ritualism which was started by the Prophets reached its height in Christ. Men are defiled not by external uncleanness, but by evil thoughts and evil deeds.[196] “It is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.”[197] Those whose righteousness does not exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.[198] The first and great commandment is that which enjoins love to God, but the second, according to which a man shall love his neighbour as himself, “is like unto it.”[199] At the same time there are in the New Testament passages in which God’s judgment of men seems to be represented as determined by theological dogma.[200] The only sin which can never be forgiven either in this world or in the world to come, is blasphemy against the Holy Ghost;[201] and the belief in Jesus is laid down as indispensable for salvation.[202] According to St. Paul, a man is justified by faith alone, without the deeds of the law.[203] This doctrine, which makes man’s salvation dependent upon his acceptance of the Messiahship of Jesus, has had a lasting influence upon Christian theology, and has, together with certain other dogmas, led to that singular discrepancy between the notions of divine and human justice which has up to the present day characterised the chief branches of the Christian Church.
[196] St. Matthew, xv. 19 sq. St. Mark, vii. 6 sqq.
[197] St. Matthew, xii. 12.
[198] Ibid. v. 20.
[199] St. Matthew, xxii. 37 sqq.
[200] Toy, Judaism and Christianity, p. 82 sq.
[201] St. Matthew, xii. 31 sq. St. Mark, iii. 28 sq.
[202] St. Mark, xvi. 16. St. John, iii. 18, 36; viii. 24.