This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXI THE TWO GREAT PROPHETIC TEACHERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Jesus. The prophetic voice had been stilled for many years. But the crushing, grinding forces of despotic rule, heavy taxation, exploitation of the masses for the sake of the ruling classes still went on. The various changes of rulers ...
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1917 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXXI THE TWO GREAT PROPHETIC TEACHERS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT Jesus. The prophetic voice had been stilled for many years. But the crushing, grinding forces of despotic rule, heavy taxation, exploitation of the masses for the sake of the ruling classes still went on. The various changes of rulers seemed to make no particular difference in the policy pursued. The world knew no better way and seemed irrevocably committed to such a regime. But in the meantime the nations were becoming more closely associated. Exchange of thought as well as of commodities was taking place under this new international situation. And underneath all thinking--political, commercial, and social--is religious thinking. It is the substratum on which all other thought rests. The religions of that day lacked the power to satisfy the hungering and thirsting souls of men. Religious restlessness had been manifest for many years; it was now becoming a disease; it had spread over the whole known world. And to the political restlessness common to all the Jews in Palestine there was added also the fever of this religious restlessness. Some were holding fanatically to the minutest obligations of an external law. Others were breaking loose from its bondage and seeking relief in indifference or reckless selfindulgence. Moreover, human needs were all the time crying out for some satisfaction, social wrongs were calling for some healing power. The Hebrews for years had persisted in the hope of a Deliverer, a Messiah who should come some day to break their bonds and set the captives free. And now feeling was becoming more strained and expectation more eager. They thought such deliverance must be coming soon, because the situation was getting so tense. It was not a surprise to...
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