History keeps repeating itself
Mark 12:24
Jesus said to them, "Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?"
They didn't want to know. They knowingly reasoned wrongly about the things of God, especially the scriptures about the prophets. They're Sadducees, spiritualists and materialists. The Sadducees were a prominent sect within Judean society. Despite their small numbers, the Sadducees were able to maneuver themselves politically into positions of power within the Sanhedrin. They had influential control over the entire religious system, but they did not believe the interpretations of the scriptures that had not been explicitly and literally written into the Torah. They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead, a concept not explicitly stated within the limited written texts that they revered above all other scripture. Or so they thought until Jesus corrects them on that.
Mark 12:26-27
"But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—haven’t you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ So, he is the God of the living, not the dead. You have made a serious error."
The Sadducees rejected the existence of angels and other spirits. And so, their limited view of God's Word and power colored their overall view about human life. Their worldview was pragmatic, humanistic, and materialistic. Their focus remained on the tangible and immediate aspects of religious life. Which means they worshipped the temple religion, not God, because as Jesus points out, they do not know God.
Acts 23:8
"For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor angel, nor spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all."
They are the equivalent of some modern contemporary Jewish movements that emphasize a return to scriptural literalism. Their focus was on Temple-centric worship. And some advocate for the revival of ancient sacrificial practices and rituals. But you can also find parallels in other religious sects.
Their influence reached heights of great power through their theological debates. They even reached to the governance of the temple practices, even though they did not believe much of the Word of God. They controlled the temple prayer offerings, which is astounding for a religious sect that did not fully appreciate God's teachings and power. And so of course their contribution to worship was secular and shallow. Is it any wonder that they had not heard from God for hundreds of years? For them the temple practices were just a means for establishing and maintaining power over the Judaean society. In the aftermath of the Temple’s destruction in 70 A.D., Jewish religious life began to shift away from their traditions and moved towards the oral traditions of the Pharisees. Which makes sense, if they could not maintain the power of the temple in Judaean life, in fact if that temple is completely destroyed by their enemies, then where is God's power in their rituals. It's ironic that a pragmatic approach was their downfall.
History keeps repeating itself. The Sadducees were like the philosophical gurus of our age. Sadducees represented an ancient version of modern Marxist philosophy, espousing anti-supernaturalism, anti-heaven, anti-resurrection, basically anti-god. It's easier to say they are secular humanists dressed up in churchgoing. They walk into the temple, but they do not walk in The Spirit. Sound like any religious groups today.
Their hard heartedness toward God's Spirit (as Jesus said of them) created in them a pragmatic money driven lust for power. They turned the temple worship into a racketeering scheme. It was the temple tables of their casino-like house of worship that Jesus overturned. Their godless philosophy hardened their hearts to these things. And there is nothing new under the sun.
These kinds of soul condemning ideologies, these dangerous Marxist-like philosophies repeat themselves in historical cycles. Cult leaders do it. Progressive spiritualists do it. Idolatrous people who have no respect for the Word of God do it. Orthodox Jews and Christians do it. Priestly aristocrats, and religious orders that emphasize priestly authority and obligations do it. Any group that reduces the authority of the scriptures, and limits the scripture teachings, is doing so in order to prop up its own religious traditions. Modern-day Sadducees are priestly orders that have reduced their theology so much that faith is largely removed, and religious practices are ritualistic and practically devoid of any spiritual significance. Spiritual growth is replaced with involving themselves with social causes.
The spirit of the Sadducees has always been one of socialism. This is the connection I drew upon when I compared them to Marxist philosophy. They focus on their present physical life with little thought to a future spiritual afterlife. Modern Liberation theology would be one example of this spirit. And I find it very interesting that the current Pope Francis is linked to leftist ideologies and Liberation Theology. But that's another story for another day.
In conclusion:
Whatever anyone in all these various cults and socialist circles want to believe about their religion and their commitment to Christianity, I'll believe what Jesus taught about them.
"Is this not the reason you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God?" - Jesus
Two things you need to know, not just a knowledge of scripture, you have to know also the power of God. And if the core values and principles of your religion do not include the supernatural power of God, the Spirit of God, then your religion is little more than secular humanism. Your church is nothing more than a cultural center, a community center. You may as well belong to the Moose lodge or some other community service group.
Religion without The Holy Spirit, non-trinitarian faith groups; Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Christian Scientists, Traditional Armstrongism, Christadelphians, Oneness Pentecostals, Unification Church, Scientology and Unity School of Christianity are some of the many examples of this Sadducees-like spirit. And they've infected many of the other mainstream Christian groups as their former followers mingle with them. Conversion between the many Christian sects often brings leaven with it. Turn on your discernment powers and keep watch for them, because history keeps repeating itself.
Some people are going to be very surprised when the Day of The Lord comes.