In the [[New Testament]], [[Pharisees]] are seen as people who place the letter of the law above the spirit ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 2:3–28, 3:1–6). Thus, "Pharisee" has entered the language as a pejorative for one who does so; the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] defines ''Pharisee'' with one of the meanings as ''A person of the spirit or character commonly attributed to the Pharisees in the New Testament; a legalist or formalist''. This negative view of the historical [[Pharisees]] is disputed by non-Christians. | In the [[New Testament]], [[Pharisees]] are seen as people who place the letter of the law above the spirit ([[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 2:3–28, 3:1–6). Thus, "Pharisee" has entered the language as a pejorative for one who does so; the [[Oxford English Dictionary]] defines ''Pharisee'' with one of the meanings as ''A person of the spirit or character commonly attributed to the Pharisees in the New Testament; a legalist or formalist''. This negative view of the historical [[Pharisees]] is disputed by non-Christians. |